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Flowers are, truly, nature’s gift to us humans.
These bright, beautiful and fragrant creations of nature are a joy to behold.
Sadly, there are certain one-off beauties that are fast disappearing from the planet. In fact, some of them have already gone extinct. Here’s a look at four such flowers:
1. Chocolate Cosmos (Cosmos atrosanguineus)
Chocolate Cosmos is native to Mexico but the last time the wild has had the privilege to be host to this flower was 100 years ago. However, this species does survive today thanks to the single, non-fertile clone created by propagation in 1902. It’s not the original one, but it has been preserved in some form.
The reason this rare flower has such a delicious name is that it smells like it. The flowers have a deep brown color and quite closely resembles a dark chocolate. As far as its smell goes, the flower has a vanillin fragrance that spreads far and wide in blooming. This fragrance is sweet enough to make one want to eat.
2. Jade Vine (StrongylodonMacrobotrys)
The Jade Vine is a flower that would be hard to miss if you happen to come across it. Not that any of us would, since this spectacular blue-green flower is extremely rare.
The color itself is a magnificent shade of turquoise. When it combines with its claw-shaped leaves, it creates a sight worth seeing. As a result of deforestation, this rare flower is close to extinction in its native country of the Philippines.
3. Campion (Silene)
If you ever thought flowers couldn’t be dramatic, you’re wrong. This one right here “came back from the dead” after it went extinct in 1992.
Imagine everyone’s surprise when 2 years later, it was discovered on a cliff of Gibraltar. The flower is still very rare and could only be found in botanical gardens of London and Gibraltar.
4. Rafflesia Arnoldii
Rafflesia Arnoldii is a rare treat to be found in the low-lying rainforests and in the islands of Indonesia. This flower has one of the most unique appearances.
It’s huge, with five petals and dotted with white all over. The fragrance of this rare flower is more like a stink. It attracts carrion flies and helps largely in pollination.
Next time, you find yourself amidst beautiful flowers, appreciate them and make sure to take a deep breath. You never know if you’ll get a chance to smell that fragrance again.
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