The world's ugliest plants

RHS experts have scoured the planet to produce a list of the world’s 10 ugliest plants. Their choice spans the spectrum from the spiky to the hairy. Given the conditions in which many of these plants live – extreme temperatures and humidity – it’s perhaps understandable that survival skills win over looks.

The frightful flora have also been handed the short straw when it comes to names: stinky squid, bastard cobas, monkey cups and vegetable sheep are a world away from the charms of the lily or rose.

Bastard cobas (Cyphostemma juttae)

A slow-growing, ornamental plant that can reach 6ft, also called wild grape, tree grape and Namibian grape. Plants are found in Namibia. The large shiny leaves tend to fall during winter and grape-like bunches appear near the end of summer.

Birthworts (Aristolochia gigantea)

Also referred to as pipe vines, they are widespread and appear in various climates. The basis of the plant is an intertwining stem with simple leaves. The flowers have a strong scent.

Elephant’s trunk (Pachypodium namaquanum)

Found in the North Cape of Namibia, the plant consists of a thick trunk, densely covered in spines. There is a crown at the top appearing during the growing months of winter, and velvet-textured flowers appear from August to October.

Corpse flower (Amorphophallus titanium)

This plant only blooms every four to six years within its 40-year life expectancy. The flower is described as the world’s largest; reaching 5ft high and 4ft wide. For eight hours of the three-day bloom, the flower emits a smell that is described as rotting flesh, attracting a carrion-eating beetle, for pollination. The plant is also known as an aphrodisiac.

Tree tumbo (Welwitschia mirabilis)

The plant, found in south-west Africa, specifically Namibia and Angola, is considered a living fossil. Initially, the plant grows two leaves from one thick trunk and, as the plant continues to grow, the leaves may split. Some plants are estimated to be more than 1,000 years old.

Thorn of the cross (Colletia paradoxa)

Also known as gigs, curumamil, cross or crown of the cross. From South America, this slow-growing shrub with greyish flowers blooms in March and April. Often used as an ornamental plant for its fragrance, it is under threat of extinction, due to a loss of habitat.

Stinky squid (Pseudocolus fusiformis)

A mushroom first reported in Pittsburgh, North America, in 1915. Often found at the edge of woods, in parks and gardens, usually in summer and autumn. The body first resembles a puffball, but later splits to form a stalk with arms that taper.

Sea onion (Bowiea volubilis)

Also known as the climbing onion, this plant originates from South Africa. The bulb is a pale green, with half growing underground. New branches appear each year, making it look like an elongated asparagus, with greenish flowers.

Vegetable sheep (Raoulia eximia)

Named because of the way it looks from a distance, this is found in New Zealand’s Southern Alps. This shrub forms grey-white mounds and can spread 5ft. Tiny leaves are covered in hairs, with flowers beneath.

Monkey cups (Nepenthes)

Also commonly known as tropical pitcher plants, this plant comes from a family of more than 120 species. They are vine-forming, originating from south China, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. The plant grows as a climbing vine.

However, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and the RHS wants gardeners to vote in a survey to find The World’s Ugliest Plant. You can name your most objectionable plant and also defend the homely specimens you love. To take part, visit the  http://www.rhs.org.uk/whatson/shows/tattonpark2009/newsugliestplant.asp

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2 Responses to “The world's ugliest plants”

1. JG says:

   June 12, 2009 at 4:30 pm

   Apparently plant “ugly” has an extremely narrow-minded definition that I can’t entirely fathom – I’ve always found these particle species beautiful and fascinating.

   It’s bizarrely anthropomorphic in the first place to attribute “ugly” to a plant but I still don’t see any rhyme or reason to the selection criteria other than squeamishness about *human* sexuality (most of the examples seems to have some vague resemblance to human sexual organs). What does that say?!
2. PS says:

   October 6, 2009 at 11:45 am

   I have grown up in Namibia but now live in the UK (since 1996). 2 of the ‘so-called’ ugly plants (Elephant’s trunk (Pachypodium namaquanum) & Bastard cobas (Cyphostemma juttae)) I have in my house because I think they are stunning, unusual, unique and for me, have sentimental value because it reminds me of home. I quite agree with JG – how can a plant be ugly? I think they they are all unique and beautiful.