Why Plants are Necessity ?

 One of the oldest yet most effective survival skills that has been passed down to every civilization since ancient times is the ability to forage, hunt, and grow your own food when you can't get your hands on it otherwise. It's a hard skill to master and one that takes years of diligent study. There are countless foraging resources and books available online which are a great starting point if you're just getting your feet wet or want to know more about various plants in your area. I've included a list of some of my favorite books and resources below.

#1:The Forager's Harvest: A Guide to Identifying, Gleanings, and Field Edibles (0.99) by Karen McRae-McGowan is THE book when it comes to learning how to identify edible plants. It's a great resource for beginners or those who have been foraging for years but wants to hone in on more specific practical skills like identification, gathering skills, and recipe development. 

#2:Forager's Harvest : A Guide to Identifying Edible Wild Plants (3.99) by Edward C. Whitley is an updated version of Karen McRae-McGowan's "Guide to Identifying, Gleanings, and Field Edibles". It delves deeper into the identification of plants and takes a more scientific approach to their identification and uses. If you're interested in a more detailed look at plant identification overall Whitley's "Guide to Identifying Edible Wild Plants" is also an excellent resource.

#3:Wild Food- Honey from a Weed! (2.99) by Dave Blamey is another great book to help you learn how to identify edible wild plants. It's small and simple in its presentation but packed full of information on foraging for food.

#4:Where There is no Dentist : Oral Healthcare in Underserved Communities (0.99) by Murray Dickson is a great resource to learn about wild toothbrushes and other age old techniques for oral care. These are all things that we tend to look over as modern people but they're essential life skills that everyone needs to master regardless of whether or not you use a dentist or modern dentistry at all. 

#5:Naked into the Wilderness (2.99) by Nels Anderson is the book that inspired Jack London's famous novel White Fang .

7 indoor plants that purify the air around you naturally

Dendrobium and Phalaenopsis Orchids

Orchids have a bad reputation as being finicky and difficult to grow, but really, the opposite is true. On our last trip to Costa Farms, we learned that orchids actually love to be neglected and most people end up killing their orchids with kindness (too much water and sunlight). Aside from being easy to take care of, orchids rid the air of xylene—a pollutant found in many glues and paints—so they make wonderful housewarming gifts for anyone who recently moved into or renovated a new space. Unlike some other plants, orchids also respire and give off oxygen at night, so they’re great for the bedroom.

Palms

The palm family of plants, also known as Arecaceae or Palmae, is extremely popular and it’s easy to see why. These hardy houseplants are easy to grow and perfect for lifting people’s spirits and distracting from otherwise drab surroundings, and they’re also known to be natural air purifiers. Palms specifically target and remove formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide (which is especially helpful if someone in your household smokes cigarettes).

Peace Lilies

The peace lily, a.k.a. spathiphyllum, is an ideal plant to have in your home if you love flowers but don’t want to buy bouquets that die after a few days. Spathiphyllum thrives in the shade in temperatures below 55 degrees F, and removes harmful toxins like acetone, ammonia, benzene, ethyl acetate, formaldehyde, methyl alcohol, trichloroethylene, and xylene.

Ferns

Ferns have a reputation for being a bit mundane but most people don’t realize that they’re actually fascinating plants that have survived since Prehistoric times! They’re favored for their soft, feathery leaves, and it’s those same large fronds that help rid the air of pollutants like toulene and xylene, which are found in many paints, nail polishes, and glues.

Schefflera

Schefflera are easily recognizable because they have glossy, sturdy-looking oval leaves that almost look unreal because of their waxy shine. They’re really hardy and long-lasting so they make great investment plants as long as you keep the leaves dust-free and wipe them down once in a while. In addition to looking great, they’re also known to soak up nasty toxins like benzene, formaldehyde, and toluene so, like palms, they’re good for households where there’s a smoker.

Anthuriums

Anthuriums make lovely gifts because of their exotic-looking blooms, but they ain’t just a pretty face! Their large, dark leaves suck up ammonia, formaldehyde, toluene and xylene, so they’re a thoughtful present for a workplace (especially around copiers, printers, or adhesives).

Song of India (a.k.a. Dracaena reflexa)

As versatile as its name is poetic, Dracaena reflexa or “Song of India” is easy to identify because of its telltale green, lime, and yellow leaves. These plants are easy to grow in both high and low light and absorb undesirables like formaldehyde, toluene, and xylene.

Pothos

Pothos is characterized by its golden, heart-shaped leaves and is extremely popular in North America. It’s a hardy plant that can survive in lower light and colder temps and is great for offices and homes since it rids the air of carbon monoxide and formaldehyde.

Massangeana Cane

The Massangeana plant may be hard to pronounce but it’s easy to love. Native to Africa, it has a wild look that makes it ideal for decorating your home, and it also sucks formaldehyde from the air.

Philodendrons

Philodendrons are easy-care houseplants that need very little attention. Their unique coloring makes them an attractive addition to your home and they’re known to ride the air of xylene.

25 Amazing Benefits Of Aloe Vera For Skin, Hair And Health

Aloe Vera, also known as the ‘plant of immortality’ by the ancient Egyptians, was used for its healing properties since time immemorial. Aloe Vera plants are commonly found in the African regions and belong to the family of Xanthorrhoeaceae, known for its succulent or fleshy leaves. This nontoxic plant stores water in its leaves and survives in low rainfall and arid regions.  Aloe Vera leaf looks unique; it doesn’t have any stems and the edges of leaves have tiny spikes.

Aloe Vera is considered to be a miracle plant. Since, it contains photochemical and other nutrients which are beneficial for hair, health and skin. Aloe Vera extracts are also used in food and energy drinks. It is a very good habit to drink aloe Vera juice on empty stomach every morning, to get maximum benefits of this plant.
Aloe Vera is sold as gel, powder and juice. You can also make fresh aloe juice at home by cutting the leaf and extracting the aloe gel from it. There are different species of the aloe plant, but Aloe Barbadians Mill is the most popular and widely used variety of aloe vera. The scientific epithet ‘vera’ means true and genuine. So aloe vera derived from the plant will have a tangible impact on the health, hair and skin. You can see your skin glow after using aloe vera, and a glowing skin reflects good health.

Nutritional Value:

Aloe vera consist as much as 75 nutrients, 20 minerals, 12 vitamins, 18 amino acids and 200 active enzymes. Aloe vera contains Vitamin A, B1, B2, B6 and B12, Vitamin C and E, folic acid and Niacin. Minerals found in aloe vera include copper, iron, sodium, calcium, zinc, potassium, chromium, magnesium and manganese. The nutrients naturally present in aloe vera makes it a potential herbal product that can be safely used both internally and externally. This exotic plant contains other beneficial compounds like polysaccharides, mannans, anthraquinones and lectins. The presence of these nutrients makes it possible to use aloe vera for variety of therapeutic purposes. Aloe vera not only cures the skin, health and hair problems, it so soothing that it also helps you to relax. Let’s have a look at various aloe vera uses and benefits.

Health Benefits Of Aloe Vera:

Aloe Vera is highly regarded as a miracle or wonder plant for its healing properties. You must have seen this ornamental plant in terrace gardens, but didn’t realize its worth. The various healing properties make aloe vera a favourite choice among organic and fitness enthusiasts. This magical plant is used for the treatment of various kinds of diseases and illness. The health benefits of aloe vera include:

1. Aids Digestion and Treats Intestinal Issues:

Aloe vera when taken internally aids in digestion and effectively cleanses the digestive system. Aloe vera works as a laxative which makes it easier for the food particles to pass through the intestine. Thus aloe vera helps those who suffer severe constipation problems.Drinking aloe vera juice regularly helps to detoxify the body which in turns improves daily bowel movements. It alleviates acidity, inflammation and intestinal ulcers. Aloe vera has a soothing effect on the stomach walls and relieves stomach ache.Aloe vera also helps to cure Crohn’s disease and peptic ulcers.

2. Boosts Immune Power:

Aloe Vera is full of antioxidants, also known as natural immunity enhancers, which help to fight free radicals in the body. Free radicals cause several diseases and ailments which speeds up the ageing process. Consuming aloe vera juice regularly boosts immune system and helps you to stay young and fit.

3. Treats Inflammation, Wounds and Burns:

Inflammation is the body’s first reaction to damage. The damage can be caused by physical means or due to chemical reactions. Aloe vera has been used in traditional medicine and general home remedies in the recent times to cure cuts, wounds, burns, abrasions, inflammations and skin breakage.

Aloe vera contains plant steroids which help in reducing inflammation naturally. So aloe vera is used in orthodox or traditional medicine as steroidal drugs. Aloe vera also contains salicylic acid and its salts salicylates; it helps to curb inflammation by inhibiting the production of hormones like prostaglandins. Salicylic acid is like aspirin and has the potential of reducing inflammation by destroying the bacteria that cause inflammation.
You can use aloe vera to reduce inflammation without the fear of side effects. Drinking aloe vera juice regularly eases swollen and painful joints and reduces the stiffness of bones. It is excellent for treating scars, burns and cuts. It also soothes wound or cuts and fights bacteria that occur due to wounds. The cooling effect of the plant helps to regenerate new cells and helps in rebuilding the damaged tissue.

4. Good for Female Reproductive System:

Aloe vera tonic is wonderful for the female reproductive system. It helps to rejuvenate the uterus. It is very beneficial to drink aloe vera juice if you are experiencing painful menstrual cycle.

5. Treats Respiratory Disorders:

This versatile plant is also useful for treating respiratory disorders and is particularly useful for those who get frequent attacks of cold, flu, bronchitis herpes, running nose and other respiratory disorders.Aloe vera contains Vitamin C which helps to prevent colds, cough and flu.

6. Treats Diabetes:

The dried gel of aloe vera is used to treat diabetes as it helps to lower blood sugar level by decreasing insulin resistance and also lowers the triglyceride levels in the liver and plasma. Aloe vera helps to improve the blood quality naturally by decreasing the levels of cholesterol and triglyceride. Since, aloe vera helps to control cholesterol, triglycerides and blood sugar; it directly helps to prevent cardiovascular disease. Aloe vera keeps the blood fresh and rich in oxygen.

7. Stimulates Metabolism:

Aloe vera juice also increases energy level and helps to maintain a healthy body weight. Drinking aloe vera juice regularly stimulates the metabolism and helps the body to burn calories more quickly. So aloe vera keeps you slim naturally.

8. Oral and Dental Health:

Aloe vera juice also helps in maintaining healthy gums and oral hygiene. Its natural anti-bacterial and anti-microbial actions promote cell growth and healing. Aloe vera gels are also used in a variety of tooth gels which prevent bleeding gums and mouth ulcers. It also provides quick relief to people who experience burning mouth symptoms. Its antifungal properties help greatly in the problem of denture stomatitis, apthous ulcers, cracked and split corners of the mouth.

Skin Benefits Of Aloe Vera:

Getting an aloe vera plant proves to be helpful in more than one way. It is worth a try as a natural approach to ageless skin.  Aloe vera has several properties that are effective in treating a variety of skin conditions like flaky or dry skin, cosmetic ailments, and hair and scalp problems.
Due to its many uses and benefits to the skin and hair, aloe vera has now gained more popularity and has become a staple ingredient in many beauty and skin care products. In order to achieve proper skin restoration, aloe vera needs to be applied every day. Applying aloe vera gel soon after taking a shower is advisable as the skin is clean. Aloe vera benefits are surplus and given below are its skin benefits:

9. Heals Skin Issues:

The anti-allergic property of aloe vera is useful in the treatment of various skin diseases like eczema, psoriasis, itchy skin and so on. They are helpful in curing blisters, insect bites and other allergic reactions as well.  Aloe Vera face packs are a boon for people who have a sensitive skin type.

10. Offers Healthy Glow:

Drinking aloe vera juice supplies body with essential nutrients which help to produce and maintain healthy skin. Aloe vera helps to remove dead cells and replenishes it with new ones, giving the skin a radiant glow.

11. Treats Acne:

Aloe Vera’s anti-inflammatory property helps to reduce acne greatly. It does not completely cure the acne; however, it reduces inflammation and redness of the skin to a great extent.  It also prevents the outburst of acne and pimples. Its juice or gel can be applied directly on the skin to cure acne. Aloe vera face pack can be prepared by boiling aloe vera leaves in water. Make a paste and add a few drops of honey. Apply it on the face. Leave it for 15 minutes and then rinse off with tap water.

12. Treats Sunburns & Reduces Stretch Marks:

Aloe vera gel contains two hormones, Axim and Gibberellins which have wound healing and anti-inflammatory properties. Aloe vera with its powerful healing capability helps to treat sun burn at the epithelial level of the skin. It acts as a protective shield for the skin and heals the skin quickly. It can also be used as an after shave treatment for its healing properties can treat small cuts caused by shaving. Aloe vera also helps to reduce stretch marks by healing the wounds. This is one of the best benefits of aloe vera for skin.

13. Improves Skin Firmness:

Aloe vera contains a plethora of anti-oxidants like beta carotene, vitamins C and E that improve the natural firmness of skin. Aloe vera helps to keep the skin hydrated and italso improves the skin’s elasticity, therefore minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Thus it refreshes the skin and makes it vibrant and young looking. So for a young and healthy skin, start using aloe vera gel today.

14. Lightens Skin:

Smooth and glowing skin can be achieved easily by rubbing aloe vera gel on the face. Aloe vera lightens the skin and helps to alleviate sun tanning and hyper pigmentation.

15. Beneficial for Dry Skin:

Aloe vera gel is extremely beneficial for dry skin. Aloe vera is a natural moisturizer because of the moisture content locked in it. This gel keeps the skin hydrated and increases its elasticity. It also provides oxygen to the skin which strengthens the skin tissue and keeps the skin healthy. Moreover, it moisturizes the skin without making the skin greasy so it is perfect for oily skin. Once applied, it releases natural vitamins and enzymes on the skin to produce a deep moisturizing effect that helps to treat and restore its pH balance.

16. Lip Care:

Don’t need to go for store bought lip balms all the time. You can prepare your own lip balm at home with aloe vera gel in seconds. This is a super easy process that can be even done by the kids. All you need to do is to heat a heaped teaspoon of petroleum jelly in a double boiler. After it melts, add half a teaspoon of fresh aloe vera gel and two drops of Vitamin E oil extracted from the capsule. Switch off the stove and blend this mixture well. Pour it in a tube or an old lip balm container when it is in the liquid state. Allow this lip balm to cool and thicken in refrigerator and start using it on your lips. This will cure dry and chapped lips very effectively than any other store bought lip balms.

17. Foot Care:

A homemade nourishing aloe vera foot scrub can give you a peacock feather soft foot. Add two teaspoons of sugar and 2 teaspoons of coarsely powdered rice powder with a scoop of aloe vera gel to make an instant foot scrub. After soaking your feet in warm water for 15 minutes, gently work this scrub out on your feet for 10 minutes to remove the dead skin cells without stripping off moisture. The sugar and rice powder exfoliates the skin to remove dead cells while the aloe vera gels helps in rejuvenating your foot with its calming properties. Follow this every week to achieve soft and beautiful feet!

Hair Benefits Of Aloe Vera:

18. Treats Hair Loss:

Aloe vera for hair loss treatment can be traced back to the ancient Egyptian times. Aloe vera contains enzymes that promote hair growth. The proteolitic enzymes found in aloe vera help to eradicate dead skin cells on the scalp. Aloe Vera’s keratolic action breaks down the sebum and dead scalp cells. Aloe Vera’s alkalizing properties balances the pH level of the scalp and hair which results in further hair growth and retains moisture in the scalp.

19. Treats Itchy and Inflamed Skin:

Aloe vera also helps to eliminate itchy scalp and scalp dryness by its anti-pruritic properties. It also alleviates pruritic ailments like psoriasis and eczema of scalp. Aloe Vera’s enzymatic properties enable it to destroy excessive dead skin cells of the scalp. It helps to reduce the redness, scaling, itching and inflammation of scalp which directly benefits the hair.

20. Treats Dandruff:

Aloe vera is also used in dandruff treatment. The natural enzymes found in aloe vera soothe and moisturize the scalp that helps to eliminate the scalp dryness that causes dandruff. Thus its anti-fungal properties alleviate dandruff problem.  It alleviates the dry and itchy feeling that accompanies dandruff and oiliness. Aloe vera brings a refreshing and cooling sensation to the scalp.

21. Good Conditioner:

Aloe vera is a great conditioning agent that restores the hair’s shine and luster, and leaves the hair silky and smooth. The gel like substance found in aloe vera leaves is similar to keratin in chemical composition. This enables it to penetrate easily along the scalp. The scalp absorbs the benefits of aloe vera up to 7 layers deep and provides deep conditioning to the scalp. The amino acids present in aloe vera add strength and luster to the hair. It also enhances the beauty and suppleness of the hair. It control frizzy hair and does not leave behind any greasy build up.

22. Restores Hair’s Strength and Beauty:

The essential nutrients and vitamins found in aloe vera makes it an indispensible material for shampoos and conditioner. These vitamins and minerals aid in restoring hair’s strength and beauty. When combined with oils like coconut and jojoba oil, aloe vera can make a revitalizing shampoo.

23. Perfect Hair Rinse:

Aloe vera gel is a perfect rinse for oily hair without making the hair brittle.  Mix one part of aloe vera juice with two parts of lemon juice and apply the mixture to the shaft of hair. The acid from lemon strips away excess oil without any adverse effect of chemicals and aloe vera juice prevents dryness of the hair.

24. Repairs Dry and Damaged Hair:

Aloe vera gel also repairs dry and damaged hair in a short span of time. Aloe vera contains a good amount of protein which is necessary for maintaining the good health of the hair. By going through the hair shaft, aloe gel cures each strand restoring the natural beauty of the hair. In addition, it reinforces the outer layer of the hair which gives you a more manageable crown of glory. It softens, fortifies and rejuvenates by flushing out the dirt particles and bacteria from the scalp. A clean scalp helps to promote hair growth.

25. Treats Alopecia:

Alopecia or male pattern baldness is a common hair problem faced by men. This is a kind of hair loss that occurs at a particular part of the head or leads to full hair loss. This scalp condition can be reduced by regular usage of aloe vera. This is mainly because it rejuvenates the hair follicles and helps to reduce hair fall.
Aloe Vera is respected for its potential healing properties by those who believe in naturopathy. Aloe vera helps to prevent cancer by destroying any free radicals in the body that can lead to abnormal growth of cells or tumors in the body. Those who undergo regular radiopathy treatments can protect their body from the side effects of radiation by drinking aloe juice and applying aloe gel to the affected area to cure radiation burns. Aloe gel has a very soothing effect on the skin. It cures skin dermatitis, gives you voluminous hair and a fit body. So make aloe vera your daily companion to get a holistic health care at the comfort of your home. You don’t need to rely on harsh chemicals when you have a natural option to stay fit and look glamorous always.
Hope now you are going to make aloe vera a part of your daily life. Get hold of an aloe vera plant today! And don’t forget to leave your feedback in the comments below.

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Massive 3,200 Year Old Tree That’s Never Until Now, Been Captured In A Single Image

This special tree nicknamed ‘The President’, measures 45,000 cubic feet and stands at 247 feet tall.

In California Sierra Nevada, there is a 3, 200 year old sequoia tree that rises at 247 feet and is nicknamed the President. There are two others with wide trunks but they do not have a large crown like the president’s. When standing forward on the top branches of the tree, one of the scientists looks taller than other climbers.

The sequoia tree measures 45,000 cubic feet, stands at 247feet tall and is estimated to be 3,200 years old. It has a 27 feet wide trunk and its branches (which are mighty) hold 2 billion needles. This is the most any tree has held in the planet. The tree also adds a cubic meter of wood every year, which categorizes him among the world’s fastest growing trees.

The giant Sequoias can only be found on the western slopes of Sierra Nevada, California. The president and other smaller trees make up this home and are above sea level at 5000-8000 ft.

The tree had for many years never been captured in its entirety.  Photographers from the National Geographic worked with a team of scientist to do this. They used a set of levers and pulleys to scale the tree.

They measured different heights of the trunk, limbs, burls and branches. They counted cones and armed with this information, used mathematical models informed by information from other sequoias. The president, as they found out, contains 54,000 cubic feet of bark and wood. The tree according to this team is the largest (if you take into account its width) in the world. 32 days later the team had stitched up 126 separate photos together, to produce a breathtaking portrait of this Sequoia tree.
Chael Nichols, Ngm staff. Mosaic Composed Of 126 ImagesComposting: Ken Geiger, NGM staffClimbing Team: Jim Campbell Spickler, Giacomo Renzullo, Cameron Williams, Nolan BowmanTechnical team: Nathan Williamson; Marty Reed, Humboldt State University (HSU)

The president amazed the team. It’s a historical tree that has seen generations come and go while it still stands tall and growing. It’s been through storms, heavy rains, heavy snows, enduring cold, lightning strikes -but it’s still growing faster than ever.

Cost of a tree

Most Famous Indoor Plants of India

Indian garden plants are rich in variety just like the diverse culture of our country. Usually, flora and fauna grow better in warm weathers than frosty climate. That is why there are many common garden plants that thrive in the hot tropical weather of India. Indian garden plants often have religious significance too. For example, the basil plant is considered holy by the Hindus. That is why it is a fairly common Indian garden plant that is seen in a majority of homes. Most of the common garden plants grown in the Indian subcontinent are also flowering plants. Actually Indians have a huge fetish for blooming flowers and thus, you will see a fragrant garden in most of homes. Topical flowering plants are colorful and vibrant. So you will see many tropical plants with colorful blooms at any average Indian household. Indian garden plants like warm weather and often bloom in the spring. We do not have a very cold winter in India; in fact most parts of the country have just 3 seasons namely summer, monsoons and spring. Here are some of the commonest Indian garden plants that are easy to grow under tropical conditions.

Basil or Tulsi

 Basil is a one of the commonly grown garden plants in India due to its religious significance. It is usually planted as saplings and need plenty of water. It cannot stand direct sunlight but likes warm weather.

 

Marigold Plant

 

Marigold is also a flower that is used in pujas and religious ceremonies. This plant too is planted as a sapling. It needs humus-rich black soil and plenty of bright sunshine.

Money Plant

This is one of the easiest plants to grow at home. You just need a stalk of money plant and put it in water or soil. This is an indoor plant. It needs lots of moisture and almost no sunlight.

Hibiscus Plant

Hibiscus plants are very common in India and they too have religious significance in Hinduism. Saplings are widely available and the plant is easy to grow. This plant need lots of sunshine and water twice a day. You need to prune it often to keep it in a flowering condition.

 

Rose Plant

Rose plants are best for the light winters in India. You must plant them at the end of summer and allow them to get the benefit of the Indian monsoons. Come winter, roses will bloom and make your garden fragrant.

Night Jasmine

Jasmine can be planted as a tree or plant. Jasmine is a fussy plant. It likes indirect sunlight and moderate watering.

Plantain Plant

 Plantain basically means banana plant. You would be surprised to know that banana plants can be grown in decorative ways too. They propagate through the stem and flower just once in their lifetime.

Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea is a climber plant. It grows like a bush on top of walls and gates. This flowering shrub does not need too much water or care. It grows at a breakneck speed and can soon turn wild. So you need to prune your bougainvillea very often.

Sunflower

 

For a country that gets sunshine throughout the year, sunflowers are the ideal garden plant. Sunflowers are grown from seeds as they sprout easily. You need to water your sunflower generously but not too much. These plants have weak stems and thus sometimes need support from stakes.

Fern

The warm weather in India supports ferns very well. We can see many kinds of ferns in India but the commonest is oriental water fern.

Lotus

 

The lotus is a flower that is considered a sign of purity in India. It is used in the pujas of Goddesses. Lotus is fairly easily to grow and most often grows in the wild. All you need to grow lotus is a pool of water.

Top 20 Most Interesting Plants of the World

Introduction

I had some success with my 10 most famous trees , and so I decided I should do plants too. After all, plants have a reputation for being motionless and boring. These 20 plants challenge the mundane stereotype that plagues their kingdom. (Okay, technically some are fungi, so I cheated a little.) Hope you enjoy!

Number 1: "Corpse Flower"

Not only is it ugly, it smells like a corpse. Luckily only 28 have bloomed in the United States

Wacky because:
It smells strongly like a rotting corpse, and it looks like it belongs in the movie Avatar. I would imagine that the smell helps it not be eaten, but despite this the plant is still very rare. In other words, it's endangered. Coming from the forests of Sumatra, it's not actually one big flower. Its thousands upon thousands of little male and female flowers. These exert oils, while the center collects heat. The heat of the oils create the smell that attracts beetles that will pollinate it. In case you were wondering, a mature one can weigh 200 pounds.

Number 2: Elephant Foot Yam

The famous Amorphophallus

Wacky because:
Guess who this little cute guy is related to? Yep, the corpse flower. Not only are they related, they also share many characteristics. One happens to be that this guy also smells like a corpse. These elephant foot yams vary in color, as well. Some are pure white.
This one might have the edge on the corpse flower in wackiness because it is eaten. In one Southeast Asian culture they are grown as a delicacy, while in another they are known as what we might call a "last resort" to eat.

 

Number 3: Rafflesia Arnoldis

Looks like it could put on a stick and be considered a pinwheel

Wacky because:
Guys, I can't believe it either. But I promise this is the last plant that smells like a corpse. This one is unique in that it is the worlds largest single flower. It is also wacky because it has no stems, leaves, or roots--so it's pretty bad at actually being a plant. It's related to fungi, but according to wikipedia, is a plant. It is also commonly referred to as the corpse flower for the smell.
Want to find one so you can plant it in your backyard? Me too, however these are extremely hard to find. Scientists aren't even sure if they're endangered or not. They live a majority of their lives as teeny tiny little flowers until they explode into that to the right for a few days.

Number 4: Venus Flytrap

Flies, will you ever learn? Do NOT go near the plant with jaws!

Wacky because:
It's carnivorous. Not many plants eat things besides sunlight. Even fewer (as in about four species) are capable of rapid movement. This makes the Venus Flytrap seem like, I don't know, it might be from another planet or something... Anyway, you might wonder how the trap is triggered. Well, they have trigger hairs. These trigger hairs trigger the trap when two are touched within 20 seconds of each other.
Why does it have jaw looking things? Those act like interlocking fingers, or to the insect inside, prison bars. They do their best to restrain the insect from escaping. Healthier Venus Flytraps close quicker on their prey, but scientists are kind of unsure about the mechanism. Then the rest is done with digestive juices.

Number 5: Nepenthes "Tropical Pitcher Plants"

Eats insects, spiders, ...lizards...rats...

Question: What can monkeys drink from, that also has been known to eat rats?
Answer: If there is any other answer but the Nepenthes plants, I want to hear it!
Wacky because:
Monkeys have been spotted drinking from it. Rats have been spotted partially digested in it. And some other stuff too (no, it doesn't smell like a corpse). These plants come in all sorts of varieties and are predominately found in the same regions as the #1,2, and 3 plants that you've already read about. So if you want to see some interesting plants, go to the Sumatra and Borneo forests.
The diet of these things includes just about anything the right size that can fit in them. That means lizards, termites, spiders, worms, etc. can be digested by the Nepenthes. They also have some complex relationships with the ecosystem. Flies and mosquitoes have been known to lay larva on them. Much of their diet comes from feces of the tree shrew species (a mammal), and ants have been known to eat out of it. Sound like I'm making this all up? I'm not.

Number 6: Cape Sundew

An atypical carnivore

Wacky because:
Like I mentioned before, there are more carnivorous plants out there than you probably realized (more than I realized, anyway). The Cape Sundew eats insects not with rapid movements, or weird pitcher shaped appendages, but instead by slowly wrapping its arms (by that I mean "leaves") around prey. This is slow, on average about 30 minutes, and probably fairly cruel.
This is also the first plant on the list that is very good at reproducing. Not only can it reproduce, but it can survive large fluctuations of temperature and water availability as well. So that's why humans like to keep them, because they allow for carelessness when they are being grown. It is originally from South Africa and is invading New Zealand (It's hard to rid a large area of them!).

Number 7: Strangler Fig

Probably the biggest asshole plant on Earth

Wacky because:
The Strangler Fig is the biggest mooch of the plant kingdom. Not only does it mooch, it kills. There are many different species of Strangler Fig, but they all are basically the same thing: that roommate who steals all of your food. Or that guy at a party who steals all of your beer. Or that guy in class that copied your homework and got a better grade. Only he kills you (could be a her, I'm not sure). Anyway, they are dispersed usually by hitch hiking on birds and being dropped on the canopy of trees of a dense forest. They are wacky because they will grow up and down. Down so they can choke the living tree of all the nutrients, and up for sunlight. They often outlive the host tree by years, sometimes forming hollow cores that house the spirit of the old tree.

Number 8: Bear's Head Tooth Mushroom

The creativity of Mother Nature...

Wacky because:
Well just look at it. That's a mushroom. If you're not convinced that it should be on this list... it also fights cancer, stimulates nerve growth, and helps kill roundworms. How do we know? Well some really brave soul found out it was edible. Cydro still wouldn't put it on his sandwiches no matter what it does.
Oh yeah, it can grow branches too. I'm not sure how they came up with the name though. Looks more like a brand new mop to me.

Number 9: Witches' Butter

It must have been a triple dog dare to make the first person eat that.

Sticking with edible fungi that look inedible, here is Witches' Butter. It has been given other pleasant names such as yellow brain and golden jelly fungus.
Wacky because:
Well, I thought it looked funny. It also reproduces by both sexual and asexual production. If you do happen to try to eat it, you'll find that it has no flavor. Witches' butter is currently being studied because of unique biological processes that it undergoes. Some believe that they will prove to have health benefits. It grows on recently fallen and dead trees.

Number 10: Drakaea glyptodon

Basically a wasp sex toy

Wacky because:
Well, it pollinates in a unique way. Does that red thing on the side look like it belongs there? When you look even closer, what's that black thing on top of the red thing? Well, you'll find this appendage on all of the Drakaea glyptodon that you come across.
Female wasps happen to be flightless. They also happen to climb on top of plants to S.O.S. until the male picks them up and does his thing to reproduce with them during flight. The Drakaea glyptodon mimicks the female wasp's body. The male wasp, being a dumb horny guy, will pick up the fake female wasp. Not only does he have to pick it up, but he has to come into contact with another Drakaea glyptodon to actually pollinate the plant. So he has to be fooled twice. Now you know how they came up with which was the male and which was the female.
Also, the plant smells like "raw meat." It kind of looks like it, too.

No. 11: Silver Torch Cactus

Uhem. What are those things?

Wacky because:
Besides having one of the coolest names on the list, it is a very unusual cactus. It's wooly, but that isn't too spectacular. It grows flowers, but that definitely isn't too unusual. The way the flowers are shaped are unique (yes those are flowers), however other cacti flowers bloom in a similar way just not as horizontally.
The thing that makes it the wackiest is that it prefers cold temperatures. It can stand frosts up to -10 degrees Celsius. It lives in the high mountains of Bolivia and Argentina, receiving strong sunlight and water in the summer. Almost no water is received in the winter though.

No. 12: Dragon's Blood Tree

Should be in a dinosaur movie

Wacky because...
Man, I wish I had a name like that. Dragon's blood guy, I can see it now. Also one of the coolest looking trees on the countdown. Thirdly, its sap resembles dragons' blood. That means it's a deep red color, and it was prized among the ancients. It can be used for stimulants and toothpaste of all things. Luckily it survived thousands of years of everyone trying to collect it, which is saying a lot since it is only found on the island of Socotra.
The canopy looks like that because its environment doesn't have much soil. The canopy acts as an umbrella to shade the bottom of the tree. This reduces evaporation. Also, the trees tend to bunch together because the shade helps seedling grow.

13: Tree Tumbo

You wouldn't look much better if you were that old and spent your entire life in the desert

Wacky because...
It is considered a "living fossil" found in the deserts of Namibia and Angola. That's not enough for this countdown though. It is unique in that it has one very short trunk and grows two leaves (only two) from the trunk no matter how mature it is.
Oh yeah, and carbon dating tells us that they're anywhere from 500-2000 years old (and maybe older). So the one pictured to the right will probably be alive when your great-great-great grand kids are alive. That is assuming no apocalypses happen, although I'd bet these guys know how to survive much better than we do.

No. 14: Hydnora Africana

Kind of pretty, maybe?

Wacky because...
This looks like it could be found on a different planet in a sci-fi movie. Then again, what science fiction writer could create such a monster? This grows completely underground except for the flower ("flower") that has such a distinct shape. It is shaped like that in order to maximize the ability for hairs on the "flower" to direct beetles to its unpleasant center.
Why would beetles want to go near that? Well, because it smells like poop. The dung beetle is attracted to it, and many a dung beetle have been trapped in the center. I know what you're thinking. Cydro, will you lay off with the carnivorous plants? Well, it doesn't even eat them. It traps them until the flower is completely mature. The flower then releases all the beetles with so much pollinating and reproduction potential. The male and female Hydnoras have different receptors for this pollination, so the beetles have to come across another Hydnora for it to work.

15: Wolffia Anguste

Eeny weeny, aren't they?

Wacky because:
Wow they're small! In fact, they're the world's smallest flowering plant! How small are they? Well...
Step 1) FInd an "o" on this page
Step 2) Imagine two specks inside that "o". Two adult Wolffias could fit inside of that o! Also, if you looked back in 30-36 hours, there might be four of them! They reproduce really fast. One more thing: they don't even have leaves or stems.
So they're being discovered just about everywhere now that scientists know what they exactly are. If you've been to a pond or a river there's a decent chance you've encountered them.

No. 16: Lithops Julli

That's a plant?

Wacky because...
Some plants use toxins to avoid being eaten. Some use thorns, or turn into carnivores. The Lithops Julli survives by pretending to be a rock. If you're into picking up rocks in South Africa, chances are you'll pick one of these up, too.
The disguise seems useless because they're flowering plants. Nope, even the flowers are disguised with abstract lines and colors. The colors of everything about the plant are atypical for this very reason.

17: Victoria Amazonica

Who put that baby there!?!?

Wacky because...
These guys have some pretty amazing features. And they grow up to three meters across! The ends fold up to avoid overlapping with their brethren. Also, the undersides are very thorny to protects against being eaten. Their flowers are huge, beautiful, and can only be seen at night. The flowers also change color over the course of the lily's lifetime. If you see them at daybreak you can watch the flowers close up rather quickly.
Lastly, if you google image them, you're likely to find a baby pictured on top of them. Apparently people have a fascination with this. Mature lilies can support up to 45 kg on them.

No. 18: Dracunculus Vulgaris

I wish I had a garden with all of the plants on this countdown

Wacky because:
Okay, so I promised to not mention any more plants that smell like a corpse. This one only does it for a day, and it has been described as more of a rotting smell, so does that count? Anyway, it smells to attract flies which in turn pollinate it. This one is peculiar because it is found in Europe, not Southeast Asia.
It is severely poisonous as well. So look, don't touch!

19: African Acacia

Looking innocent is the only thing it does better than killing herbivores

Wacky because...
That tree looks normal. I think I saw it on The Lion King. Well, it is from the African savannah. It is also a mass murderer.
"Van Hoven made his discovery when asked to investigate the sudden death of some 3000 South African antelope, called kudu, on game ranches in the Transvaal. He noticed that giraffe, roaming freely, browsed only on one acacia tree in ten, avoiding those trees which were downwind."
The tree, when it is being eaten, gives off ethylene which can be detected by other Acacia trees up to 50 yards downwind. Those trees in turn produce enough toxin to kill an animal, say a kudu. That means the first bite of these trees, rather than making the kudu sick and stop eating, kills it.
Oh, and they have an army of ant bodyguards. The trees provide housing and nectar for the ant, and the biting ants attack whatever comes near the tree. The plant does need herbivores to help spread its young, however, so thus there is one of the most complicated three-way relationships in history.

Last but not least... The Bladderwort

Wacky because...
This one is one of the wackiest. It is found in many different varieties around the southeastern coast of the United States and then also in the state of Washington. What makes it so unique? Well, it uses little air sacs to float when it is flowering. When it isn't flowering, it stays underwater like a seasonal submarine. Also, it is a carnivore. It eats tiny little invertebrates that it sucks into its pods with a vacuum. Beat that, Venus Flytrap.Tiny fish have also been known to trigger the trap.
Also, it is really good at surviving just about anywhere (unlike most carnivorous plants). In some places in the United States they have been a problem and humans are trying to get rid of them.
What happens when one floats into the bank of a pond? Well, it will attach itself to the side by extending little needle-like stems. Who knew a plant could resemble a Swiss Army Knife so much?

Bonus for reading this far: World's largest and oldest plants

Oldest:
How old is the King's holly?
Take a deep breath and guess.
400 years?
higher...
4,000 years
higher...
40,000 years?!
At least 43,600 actually. It doesn't even have a male or female part, or pollinate. It survives by dropping its cloned branches on the ground until they grow. So scientists counted its birthday candles to determine its true age^{[citation needed]}. They also carbon dated a nearby fossil of the same plant, and that was 43,600 years old.
Here is a great, great article on all the oldest trees of the world.


Largest single stem tree:
The General Sherman tree, or a Giant Sequoia. 275 feet tall (about a football field), weighing about 1,800 tons (3,600,000 pounds), and large enough to drive a school bus through the trunk. It was much smaller than the largest ever recorded tree that fell over in 1905. That tree was a Coast Redwood that weighed 3,300 tons. Wow! These trees, of course, have no natural predators.