Roses and orchids are pretty common, and no florist would be without them. The species listed below, however, are much harder to find. There are certain kinds of flowers that, for one reason or another, are extremely rare. For this reason, these blooms are highly prized and sought after, while some even resort to crimes due to the high prices that they fetch.
The flowers in this list are included due to their unique appearance, property, and origins as well as their rarity. As such, being able to see these blooms up close and personal, due to the reasons previously stated, are sure to be a treat. Here are ten of the most rare flowers of the world which you can only hope to find or view. Super rare and extremely hard to find, these plants are unique.
Table of Contents
1. Corpse Flower
Price: $78
The corpse flower, also known as amorphophallus titanium, is not only one of the rarest flowers, but it is also one of the largest. Found in Indonesia, the corpse flower can grow up to 12 feet tall. What makes the corpse flower unique is its smell, which is similar to rotten or spoiled meat. This is because the plant utilizes flies for pollination rather than bees that prefer sweeter smells. It also has none of the usual parts of a plant such as roots, leaves, or stems. The corpse flower takes a decade before it can fully bloom.
2. Chocolate Cosmos
Price: $1.28
The chocolate cosmos is currently extinct in the wild, with no blooms found in nature for over 100 years. The flower was native to Mexico and has a reddish-brown color. It also has a chocolatey fragrance, hence the name. The chocolate cosmos that currently exist come from clones, which is a necessity as the flower does not produce seeds. As such, propagation can only occur through other means, making this particular bloom very difficult to grow.
3. Jade Vine
Price: $24.99
The jade vine is a flower that is shaped like an upwards claw with colors that range from blue to green. This species is endemic to the Philippines and can grow up to 20 meters in length. It is also one of the few plants that utilize plants in order to propagate. The jade vine is considered rare due to continuous deforestation and damage to forests that the jade vine calls their home.
4. Juliet Rose
Price: $5 million
The reason that the Juliet rose is considered as one of the rarest flowers in the world is that it is not grown naturally in the wild. The Juliet rose came about through 15 years of breeding in order to get the bloom’s color and shade. Peach colored and shaped like a cup, the flower cost over 4 million US dollars to create. It is also technically less than 15 years old as it was originally introduced to the public only in 2006.
5. Lady Slipper Orchid
Price: $24.98
The lady slipper orchid is quite unique due to its shape. Colored yellow and purple, the lady slipper orchid also utilizes insects for pollination. The species was originally thought of as extinct until one bloom was found in 1917. The flower is protected by the UK government, but that did not stop smugglers from trying to steal them away. Other places in Asia also have lady slipper orchids, but they are extremely rare.
6. Flame Lily
Price: $10.99
Also known as fire lilies or glory lilies, flame lilies are the national flowers of Zimbabwe. Originally common in many countries, flame lilies are now endangered as it is considered as an invasive species. As such, measures were made to eradicate them until such a point that their numbers became critically endangered. It has the distinction of being toxic and poisonous to humans but some parts of the plant may also be used for medicinal purposes. Fire lilies are bright red in color and can reach heights of up to 12 feet tall.
7. Gold of Kinabalu Orchid
Price: $5,000
Also known as Rothschild’s Slipper orchid, the Gold of Kinabalu orchid can be found on the island of Borneo in Malaysia. The bloom is more common at Mt. Kinabalu as it thrives at high altitudes with less oxygen and colder temperatures. The Gold of Kinabalu orchid fetches thousands of dollars per stem due to its appearance and rarity, which makes it a favorite for smugglers to try and steal. Its long bloom period, which can take up to 15 years, adds another reason to its rarity and price.
8. Kadupul Flower
Price: Priceless
Why is this flower priceless? The moment it is picked, it often dies. The Kadupul flower is also known by the names Queen of the Night and Dutchman’s pipe. It can be found primarily in Sri Lanka, although some can be found in China, Japan, and some Latin American countries. The Kadupul flower only blooms once a year, if at all, and it does so only at night. The next morning, it will wilt and close up. This makes the Kadupul flower one of the most majestic and mysterious blooms known to man.
9. Middlemist Red
Price: $185
The Middlemist Red is bright pink in color and closely resembles a rose. Brought to England in the 18th century from China by John Middlemist, this species is now extinct in its country of origin. Only two locations are known to have Middlemist Reds, namely New Zealand and England. The leaves of the plant can be made into tea and are believed to be good for asthma and other diseases. This belief ultimately led to excessive harvesting and declining numbers in the wild.
10. Snowdonia Hawkweed
Price: $190,000
The Snowdonia Hawkwood was believed to be extinct until it was rediscovered in 2002. Native to North Wales, the bloom favors high altitudes which makes it difficult to grow. Overgrazing also played a big part in why their numbers dropped dangerously. The bright yellow flower is considered as critically endangered as only a few can be found in the wild, with these locations generally inaccessible to man. Pollination can also prove to be quite difficult due to this reason.
Flowers can be endangered for several reasons. Aside from the long times before they bloom, these plants are also limited due to deforestation and other harmful things done to the environment. Like animals, flowers are in danger of extinction, and only through conservation efforts can we save these majestic creations of nature.
