15 Weirdest Plants on Earth
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00:00Hey everyone, we're checking out the botanical world's weirder side today as we count down 15 of the weirdest plants on Earth.
00:07Let's start with number 15, the Cape Sundew. The Cape Sundew, it's a carnivorous plant
00:12that's native to the Cape region of South Africa, and it's got an unusual method of capturing and digesting insects,
00:18something it's needed to develop to be able to thrive in the nutrient-poor soil of its habitat.
00:23Growing in the Finbus biome of South Africa, where there's a Mediterranean climate with wet winters and dry summers,
00:30you'll usually find them in sandy or peaty soils in open sunny areas.
00:34They're recognizable by its long narrow leaves that are covered in glandular hairs.
00:39It's these hairs that are crucial to their ability to trap insects. As they secrete a sticky substance all along themselves,
00:46once an insect lands on them, they become stuck and the leaf then begins to slowly curl around it.
00:51While this happens, the insect is coated with digestive enzymes that release essential nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus,
00:58which the plant is also able to absorb.
01:00It's this method of feeding is what allows the Cape Sundew to thrive in places that are low in those nutrients and gives them a
01:06significant advantage over other plants in the regions.
01:09During the summer months, the plant will flower too and produce delicate pink or white flowers on tall slender stalks.
01:15These rise well above the sticky traps to avoid capturing any potential pollinators because as well as relying on insects for nutrition,
01:23they also need them to procreate and for this to happen, they definitely don't want them to become stuck.
01:29Number 14. The black bat flower.
01:32The black bat flower, it's a surprising plant that's native to the tropical regions of Southeast Asia, including Thailand,
01:39Malaysia, and southern China, and it's a perennial species that develops flowers that look just like a bat in flight.
01:45In its natural habitat, the plant thrives in the undergrowth of tropical rainforests where it benefits from the warm conditions and scattered
01:52sunlight that filter through the canopy. It prefers rich, well-drained soils that are high in organic matter,
01:58which is exactly what it gets on the forest floor, where decaying plant material provides plenty of nutrients.
02:03The flowers, once they develop, are dark purple to black and have long,
02:07whisker-like growths that can extend up to 28 inches or about 71 centimeters, giving the appearance of a bat's wings and whiskers.
02:15This unusual appearance isn't just for show, it plays a role in the plant's ability to reproduce.
02:20The dark color and the shape of the flowers attract pollinators that are active in low-light conditions,
02:25such as certain species of flies and beetles.
02:27Their ability to thrive in the shaded parts of tropical forests has been crucial for its survival, and in the competitive
02:34ecosystems of Southeast Asian rainforests, there are so many plants competing for light,
02:38it can be a limiting factor for plant growth. The black bat flower's large, dark green leaves
02:43therefore have developed to capture and use limited light that penetrates the forest canopy,
02:48that provide enough energy for the plant to develop, and what are some of the most unique flowers of any plant species.
02:54Number 13, the cobra lily.
02:57Now, despite its name, the cobra lily isn't technically a species of lily, and instead, its alternative name is more accurate,
03:04the California pitcher plant. Found in the nutrient-poor bogs of Northern California and Southern Oregon in the United States,
03:11it's a carnivorous species that takes on quite an unusual appearance.
03:15As is common with plants that have developed ways to capture prey, cobra lilies thrive in environments where other plants struggle,
03:22mainly in soils or acidic bogs that are low in essential nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus.
03:28These soils are normally found in places with a constant flow of cold, low-oxygen water,
03:33and the cobra lily has evolved to take advantage of these harsh conditions by developing a specialized way of obtaining nutrients.
03:40Identifiable by its tubular leaves, which resemble a cobra with an inflated hood,
03:45complete with a fork-leaf tip that mimics a snake's tongue, this shape is central to the plant's way of feeding.
03:51The leaves are actually hollow and filled with water, which creates a trap for unsuspecting insects.
03:56The species doesn't rely on sticky substances or fast movements to capture prey,
04:01it instead uses a complex system of lures and traps. The interior of the cobra lily's leaves is lined with
04:08downward-pointing hairs and slippery surfaces that prevent insects from escaping once they've entered.
04:13The plant lures the insects into its trap with a combination of nectar and visual cues, and once inside, the insect becomes
04:21disoriented by the translucent patches on the leaves, which looks like exits but lead deeper into the trap.
04:27Eventually, the insects falls into the digestive fluid at the base of the leaf, and from there, there's no way back.
04:33They are then broken down by bacteria and other microorganisms, and the plant's then able to absorb the nutrients that are released.
04:40Blooming in late spring to early summer, cobra lilies develop tall flower stalks topped with yellow greenish flowers.
04:46Now those flowers grow much higher than the foliage,
04:48which is something that's common in carnivorous plants, because it ensures that the insects that have been attracted as
04:54pollinators don't then fall victim to the traps.
04:58Number 12. Carrion Plant.
05:00The carrion plant, which is also known as the starfish flower, is a species of succulent that can be found in the arid regions of
05:07southern Africa, including Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa.
05:11It thrives in dry, rocky habitats and has developed a series of drought-resistant adaptations to be able to do so.
05:18It typically grows in well-drained, sandy soils and can often be found in the open, sunny areas or shaded by rocks and sparse
05:25vegetation. The plant's succulent nature allows it to store water in its thick, fleshy stems,
05:30which helps it to survive the harsh conditions of its environment.
05:33Now the most impressive thing about the carrion plant, though, is its flower, which can reach up to 16 inches or 40 centimeters in diameter.
05:40Its shape is very similar to that of a starfish, with five points that are covered in fine hairs and often marked with patterns.
05:48The most obvious thing about the flower that you'll notice in real life, though, is not the way that it looks,
05:53but the awful smell that it releases, which is similar to that of rotting flesh.
05:57There is good reason for this, of course, because the primary pollinators of the carrion plant are flies.
06:03The flower's scent, combined with its hairy texture and coloration, mimic the appearance and smell of meat, so that flies,
06:10mistaking the flower for a potential food source or breeding ground, land on it to transfer pollen from one flower to another.
06:16These flowers bloom mainly in the late summer to early autumn,
06:19which is when flies are most active, and despite its deceitful way of pollinating, the plant is harmless to its visitors.
06:25The flies, though, receive no benefit from the encounter, as the flower provides no nutrition to them,
06:30but the plant successfully ensures the transfer of its pollen.
06:35Number 11. Saguaro Cactus.
06:38The saguaro cactus is one of the most famous types of cactus, and it almost seems as an unofficial icon of the American Southwest,
06:45particularly the Sonoran Desert.
06:47It's native to the region and found across Arizona, California, and the Mexican state of Sonoran.
06:52This is a place that experiences extreme temperatures, intense sunlight, and very little rainfall,
06:58which creates a challenging environment for plant life, and for any chance to survive,
07:02species have to develop various characteristics to overcome difficulties.
07:06Saguaro cactuses have adapted so well, though, that they can grow surprisingly big.
07:11Heights of over 40 feet or 12 meters are common, and they can live for 150 to 200 years.
07:17The cactus has a shape with a central column, and then branches or arms that usually begin to grow when the cactus is about 50 to 70 years old,
07:25and are what give the saguaro its distinctive form.
07:28Interestingly, though, they don't actually retain the same shape all the time,
07:32and it's because of this that it's one of the most effective adaptations in the desert.
07:36Its thick, waxy skin reduces water loss, and its ribbed structure allows the cactus to massively expand and contract,
07:43which allows it to store large amounts of water during the rare times that it actually rains.
07:48A mature saguaro can absorb and hold up to 200 gallons or 910 liters of water during a single rainstorm.
07:56This water is then slowly used during the long, dry periods, sustaining the cactus through the harsh conditions,
08:02and it will slowly shrink during this time.
08:04The success of the saguaro cactus has led to it becoming a vital player in the desert ecosystem,
08:09as well as providing shelter for a number of species, such as the gila woodpecker, which creates nesting cavities in the cactus's flesh.
08:16Its flowers, which bloom in late spring and early summer, provide nectar for a variety of species, including bees, bats, and birds.
08:24Later in the year, in the summer, its fruit will ripen, and this becomes a much-needed food source for many animals,
08:29including birds, mammals, and insects that themselves struggle to survive in the desert environment.
08:35Number 10. Grandadier's Baobab
08:39Grandadier's Baobab is a truly unusual tree that's native to Madagascar,
08:44and it's named after the French botanist Alfred Grandadier, who'd studied plant life on the island in the 19th century.
08:50This baobab is recognized by its massive trunk and unique bottle-like shape,
08:54which makes it a standout feature in arid regions where it grows.
08:58They're usually found in dry deciduous forests and scrublands of western Madagascar,
09:03particularly around the coastline and along the banks of rivers and lakes.
09:06These trees have adapted to thrive in environments with long dry seasons and little rainfall,
09:12and to do so have developed enormous cylindrical trunks,
09:15which can reach diameters of up to 33 feet or 10 meters and heights over 98 feet or 30 meters.
09:21This trunk serves as a water storage reservoir,
09:24allowing the tree to endure long periods of drought by storing thousands of gallons of water in its spongy wood,
09:30and will swell or shrink depending on how much water is currently being stored.
09:34The bark of the tree is smooth and gray with a reddish tint,
09:38and it regenerates easily even after being stripped.
09:41The branches which emerge near the top of the trunk create a canopy that resembles the roots of an upturned tree,
09:47giving it the nickname upside-down tree,
09:49and have large white flowers that bloom at night and are pollinated by nocturnal animals such as bats and moths.
09:56The flowers are followed by elongated oval-shaped fruits known as monkey bread,
10:00which contain a nutritious pulp and a number of seeds.
10:04These baobabs are vitally important to the local ecosystem here and the lives of the Malagasy people.
10:09The tree provides food, water, and shelter for a variety of wildlife,
10:14and the fruits are rich in vitamin C and other nutrients,
10:16making them an important food source for both animals and humans.
10:20Additionally, the seeds, leaves, and bark have medicinal properties,
10:23and they're used in traditional remedies.
10:25And while the wood of the baobab is too spongy to be turned into timber,
10:28it is used to make items like rope and cloth.
10:32Number 9. Dall's Eye
10:35Found in the deciduous forests of Eastern North America,
10:38the dall's eye is a strange-looking plant that's also called the white baneberry.
10:43If you ever come across this one though,
10:45it's probably best to keep your distance because while you may be tempted to pick the fruit,
10:50you might end up regretting it.
10:52Thriving in the shady undergrowth of the rich, moist forests,
10:55often alongside other native species like ferns and woodland wildflowers,
10:59they prefer well-drained soils and will usually be found in areas with scattered sunlight.
11:04The plant typically reaches a height of about 24 to 36 inches, or about 60 to 90 centimeters,
11:09and produces leaves with serrated edges.
11:12These leaves are a vibrant green and give the plant a lush appearance in the spring and summer.
11:17It's in late spring that the plants develop small white flowers clustered on a thick upright stem,
11:23and then by mid-summer, the flowers give way to the berries that they are most famous for.
11:27They're white with a prominent black dot and look just like the pupils of eyes,
11:32which are then held on thick red stems and can be quite strange to find as you're walking through a forest.
11:38These berries though are highly toxic.
11:40They contain cardiogenic toxins that can make you quite ill if you eat or even touch them.
11:45It's not just the berries that contain the toxins either, they're also present in the leaves and roots,
11:50meaning only those who are familiar with the plant should get close to them.
11:54Despite the toxicity to humans though, the doll's eye isn't dangerous to every animal,
11:58and the fruits are eaten by various species of birds, which are not affected by the toxins.
12:02This helps to disperse the seeds and help spread the plant in its natural habitat.
12:07Doll's eyes have also been historically important to various Native American cultures,
12:10where it was used medicinally in extremely small, carefully controlled doses despite its toxicity.
12:16These uses are highly specialized, of course, and should not be attempted without extensive knowledge and expertise.
12:23Number 8. The Parachute Flower
12:25The parachute flower is an unusual-looking species that can be found across the subtropical regions of South Africa,
12:32the Kingdom of Eswatini, and Mozambique.
12:34It thrives in rocky, well-drained soils within its habitat,
12:38often growing in open woodlands and scrublands, where it can climb over rocks and shrubs.
12:42It prefers environments with bright, indirect light and benefits from the occasional shade,
12:47and as a type of perennial vine, it can reach lengths of up to 10 feet or about 3 meters,
12:52using its twinning stems to climb and spread.
12:55The thing from which it gets its name is its elaborate blossoms.
12:59Each flower is composed of five petals that are fused at the tips and form a cage-like structure.
13:04The flowers are normally pale green to white,
13:07with patterns and textures that increase their delicate, parachute-like appearance.
13:11This is more than just a visually appealing design, though.
13:14It's also a sophisticated trap for pollinating insects.
13:17The flower emits a scent that attracts small flies,
13:20which are drawn to the flower's promise of food or breeding grounds.
13:24Once a fly enters the flower, it is temporarily captured within the cage structure
13:28by a series of downward-pointing hairs that prevent its escape.
13:32During this time, the fly collects and transfers pollen,
13:34and after a few hours, the hairs wither,
13:36which allows the fly to escape and hopefully go on to pollinate another flower.
13:40This plant does require very little care,
13:42as long as it has well-drained soil and is protected from frost,
13:46with regular watering during the growing season
13:48and reduced watering during the winter to help maintain its health.
13:52Moving on to number 7.
13:54VELVETIA MIRABELLUS
13:56Velvetia mirabellus is one of the most extraordinary plants on Earth,
14:00and it's an ancient plant that's endemic to the Namib Desert,
14:03along the coast of Namibia and Angola in southwestern Africa.
14:07It does have an unusual appearance,
14:08and it's extremely resilient in one of the harshest environments on the planet,
14:12and as a result, it's become a subject of significant scientific interest.
14:16It's a type of gymnosperm, which is the plant group that includes conifers,
14:20but it looks very different from its relatives.
14:23The plant consists of only two leaves, a stem base, and roots,
14:27and these two leaves continue to grow throughout the plant's life,
14:30often becoming tattered and split into ribbons by the desert wind.
14:33Maybe the most surprising thing about it, however, is just how long it can live.
14:38Individual plants can survive for over a thousand years,
14:42with some estimates suggesting they may reach ages of up to 2,000 years or even more.
14:47This incredible lifespan is supported by a deep taproot system,
14:50which anchors the plant and helps it access subterranean water sources.
14:54The slow growth and long lifespan are adaptations in response to the extreme
14:58aridity and poor soil nutrition in the Namib desert,
15:01and are the reasons why it's one of the most successful plants there.
15:05The species has male and female flowers that grow on separate plants.
15:09The reproductive structures are cone-like,
15:11with male plants producing pollen cones and female plants producing larger seed cones.
15:16Pollination is primarily carried out by insects, particularly beetles,
15:19which are attracted to the nectar produced by the male cones.
15:22After pollination, the female cones develop seeds that are dispersed by the wind,
15:26and those seeds can remain dormant for years or even decades
15:29until conditions are just right for them to begin to grow.
15:336. The Squirting Cucumber
15:36Well, the squirting cucumber is a bizarre species that's found in regions around the Mediterranean.
15:42It's a member of a family which includes cucumbers, melons, and squash,
15:46but it has a very unique way of spreading the seeds that gives it its common name,
15:51growing on dry, rocky, and sandy soils.
15:53Often alongside roads and fields and coastal areas,
15:57it's well-adapted to the Mediterranean climate with the hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.
16:02The plant is a perennial herb with rough, hairy leaves and stems,
16:06and its leaves are lobed and often heart-shaped,
16:08which is a typical appearance for a member of this cucumber family.
16:11Where it differs, though, is its explosive seed dispersal mechanism.
16:16The plant produces small, oval fruits that look like miniature cucumbers
16:20and at first are green but turn yellowish as they mature.
16:24When fully ripe, the slightest touch triggers an unexpected reaction,
16:28whereby the fruit forcefully ejects its seeds along with a slimy liquid.
16:32This ejection can throw the seeds several feet away from the parent plant
16:36and ensure that they land in a clear area where they can begin to grow.
16:40This unique method is driven by the buildup of pressure within the fruit.
16:43As the seeds mature, the fruit produces a mucus-like liquid,
16:46and the internal pressure increases.
16:49When the fruit detaches from the stem or is disturbed,
16:52the pressure is released, causing it to burst and expel the seeds.
16:55This adaptation not only helps the plant spread its seeds over a wider area,
16:59but also reduces competition between the parent plant and the newly-grown ones.
17:04Despite all its fascinating characteristics,
17:06the squirting cucumber can be invasive in some areas outside its native range.
17:11Its ability to thrive in disturbed soils and its aggressive seed dispersal mechanism
17:15can lead to its spread in non-native habitats.
17:18The plant also contains various compounds that,
17:20while they have the potential for medicinal properties,
17:23can also be toxic in large enough quantities,
17:25meaning you're far better off with a normal cucumber than trying to eat one of these.
17:30Unless that's your thing.
17:33Number 5. The Dancing Plant
17:35The dancing plant, which you may also know as the telegraph plant or semaphore plant,
17:41is a weird species that's known for its ability to quickly move its leaves
17:45in response to environmental stimuli.
17:47It's native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Asia,
17:50including India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and even parts of China,
17:54and it's closely related to beans and peas.
17:57Of course, virtually every plant is able to move in response to conditions
18:01such as reaching towards sunlight, but these changes usually happen very slowly.
18:06In the case of the dancing plant, however,
18:08they happen much faster and can happen when they're touched,
18:11when temperatures change, or follow a light source.
18:14When they move by touch, it's a process called seismonasty,
18:17and when they move by changes in light, it's something called nyctinasty.
18:21The plant's leaves are trifoliate, meaning each leaf is divided into three leaflets.
18:26This is to help optimize light absorption for photosynthesis
18:29and potentially deter herbivores by confusing them
18:32or appearing unappealing by imitating an animal.
18:34They function like joints and are capable of rapid changes in pressure,
18:39which is the pressure of the contents within a cell against the cell wall.
18:43When turgor pressure in these cells changes, the leaflet can move up, down, or rotate,
18:48and during the day, the leaflets move to maximize exposure to sunlight.
18:52The dancing plant responds to heat and vibrations
18:54and has actually been shown to dance more vigorously
18:57when exposed to rhythmic sound waves such as music.
19:00This behavior has become of particular interest,
19:02although the exact evolutionary advantage of this response isn't entirely clear.
19:07Cultivating it requires replicating its natural tropical environment
19:10with plenty of sunlight, warmth, and humidity needed to support its growth and movement,
19:15and maybe even a little music.
19:18Number four, creosote bush.
19:20The creosote bush is a hardy evergreen shrub
19:24that grows across the landscapes of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico,
19:28being a regularly seen species in desert ecosystems like the Mojave, Sonoran, and Chihuahuan deserts,
19:34where it's had to make a series of adaptations to endure the environment.
19:37Usually growing up to 13 feet or about 4 meters tall
19:40and developing small yellow flowers during the spring,
19:43they are quite delicate when they're young,
19:45but if they survive the first five or six years,
19:47they become incredibly tough and can survive prolonged periods of drought.
19:51Clonal colonies of this species, however, can survive for thousands of years,
19:56with some of the oldest known creosote bush rings,
19:58such as the King's Clone in the California Mojave Desert,
20:01thought to be nearly 11,000 years old,
20:04making them some of the oldest living organisms on Earth.
20:07There are two main reasons for this.
20:09The first is they don't reproduce in the same way as most other plants
20:12and can simply send out new shoots when the conditions are right,
20:15and they also have the ability to inhibit growth of other plants in the nearby area,
20:20meaning that there's far less for them to have to compete with.
20:23During prolonged droughts, the bush can shed its leaves to further reduce water loss,
20:27entering a state of dormancy until conditions are better.
20:30The plant's roots are also crucial to its survival.
20:32They have an extensive root system that can spread to capture surface moisture from light rains
20:37and extend deep into the soil to tap into underground water.
20:41This dual-root strategy allows the plant to exploit different water sources,
20:45ensuring its survival during various weather conditions.
20:49Number 3. The Lobster Claw
20:51The Lobster Claw plant is native to the tropical regions of Central and South America
20:56and often known as the False Bird of Paradise
20:58because of its unique flowers that look like a lobster's claw or the beak of a bird.
21:03It's a species that thrives in the warm human environments
21:06in countries like Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia,
21:09and it's usually found in tropical rainforests.
21:11The plant is a perennial, meaning it can live for several years,
21:14and it can reach heights of up to 6 feet or about 2 meters,
21:17although on occasion, some species can grow much taller if conditions are just right.
21:22The plant produces long, pendulous flower spikes
21:25that themselves can grow up to 3 feet or a meter long.
21:28These spikes are made up of brightly colored bracts, or modified leaves,
21:32that range in color from red to pink, orange and yellow,
21:35and often with green or yellow edges.
21:37The true flowers, which are small and hidden within the bracts,
21:40are typically yellow or green.
21:42This, of course, looks amazing,
21:43but there's an important reason behind having an appearance like this.
21:47The vibrant color and structure of the inflorescence
21:49attract a range of pollinators, most importantly, hummingbirds.
21:53The bracts hold small amounts of nectar,
21:55which encourages the bird to visit and drink,
21:58and this gets them to transfer pollen as they move from one flower to another.
22:01In addition to its role in pollination,
22:03the lobster claw plant also provides a habitat and food for other wildlife.
22:07The dense foliage offers shelter for small animals and insects,
22:11and the plant also has adapted for dry periods
22:13by developing rhizomes, or underground stems.
22:16They can store water and nutrients, helping the plant to survive,
22:19and continue to provide nutrients to the animals that rely on it too.
22:24Number 2. The Corpse Flower
22:27The ominously named Corpse Flower is undoubtedly
22:30one of the most peculiar plants in the world.
22:32Native to the rainforest of Sumatra in Indonesia,
22:35it's known for its giant size,
22:37rare blooming cycle, and its awful smell,
22:40which resembles that of rotting flesh.
22:42It's a tuberous herbaceous plant,
22:44which means that it grows from a large underground tuber.
22:47When the plant is not in bloom,
22:48it produces a single giant leaf that can grow up to 20 feet or 6 meters tall
22:52and 16 feet or 4.5 meters wide,
22:55looking more like a small tree.
22:57This leaf lasts for about a year,
22:59during which it performs photosynthesis to build up energy
23:02and reserves in the tuber underground.
23:04When it's collected enough nutrition,
23:05it's ready to grow its inflorescence,
23:07which is the largest unbranched cluster of flowers in the plant kingdom.
23:11It's made up of tall central spadix
23:14that's surrounded by a large petal-like spade.
23:16The spade is usually green on the outside and deep red on the inside,
23:20which replicates the appearance of raw meat.
23:22The structure can reach heights of up to 10 feet,
23:25or 3 meters,
23:26and a diameter of up to 4 feet or 1.2 meters.
23:29The corpse flower's bloom is a rare event,
23:32occurring only one every few years and lasting for just one or two days.
23:36Its cycle is unpredictable and it can take up to a decade or more
23:39for a tuber to accumulate enough energy to flower.
23:42That scent, which is made from a complex mixture of chemicals
23:45including dimethyltrisulfide and isovaleric acid,
23:48is extremely effective at attracting pollinators
23:51such as carrion beetles and flesh flies.
23:53Even though it's deeply unpleasant to be around when it flowers,
23:56the corpse flower is often grown at botanical gardens around the world,
23:59and it becomes a major event when it finally does bloom.
24:03It is so unlike anything else you usually see
24:05that if you ever have the chance to see one,
24:07you should go, it's well worth it.
24:101. Lithops
24:12When you think of a plant,
24:13there's probably a few structures or features that you'd expect to see,
24:17but some have developed a very different appearance,
24:20with the weirdest of all being a genus of succulents
24:23known as Lithops.
24:24Native to the arid regions of southern Africa,
24:26including Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa,
24:29they found a way to blend in seamlessly with their rocky surroundings.
24:33They are specifically adapted to survive in areas with very little rainfall
24:37and grow in sandy, rocky soil where they're well camouflaged.
24:41Each plant is made up of a pair of fleshy, succulent leaves
24:44that are fused together,
24:46forming a shape that looks more like a small, smooth stone or pebble.
24:50The leaves are typically grey, brown, or green,
24:52with patterns and markings that mimic those of the surrounding rocks.
24:56This not only provides protection from predators,
24:58but also reduces water loss by minimizing the surface area.
25:02They also have a specialized growth pattern
25:04that allows them to survive extended periods of drought.
25:06The leaves store water during dry periods,
25:09and the plant relies on those reserves.
25:10In the growing season,
25:11which is the rainy season in their native habitats,
25:14Lithops produce new leaves.
25:16The old leaves shrivel and die
25:18as the new pair of leaves emerge from the center,
25:20and this cycle makes sure that the plant maintains its water reserves
25:23and can continue to grow.
25:25Typically in late autumn or early winter,
25:27mature Lithops produce a single daisy-like flower
25:30from the crack between the two leaves.
25:32The flowers are usually white or yellow
25:34and can be surprisingly large
25:36compared to the size of the rest of the plant.
25:38These blooms are pollinated by insects,
25:40and after pollination,
25:41the flowers develop into seed capsules.
25:43When it rains, the capsules open to release the seeds
25:46and allow this species to spread elsewhere.
25:49Thanks for watching, everyone.
25:50I'll see you next time.
25:52Thank you to our channel members.