22 Rare Flowers in the World That Are Beautiful Too!

There are way too many rare flowers hidden in the faraway corners of the globe. These defy the ordinary and are often tottering on the brink of extinction.

The most rare flowers in the world have an innate mystery to them that makes them so alluring. From the ones that grace us for a few hours to those that bloom once every many years, there are many beautiful, unique flowers, each with their distinct attributes.

While a few unknown flowers bloom in specific regions, others are confined to laboratories. The latter requires scientific prowess for cultivation. Join us on this journey as we unveil the 22 rare flower photos.

Parrot's Beak

It is one of the rare, most beautiful flowers in the world and is often called the pelican beak or the lotus vine flower. Native to the Canary Islands off Spain's coast, the parrot's beak is accessible for cultivation. These wild plants are rare and yield bright flowers.

Blue Puya

Botanically called the Puya berteronian, the blue puya flowers are rare in their own right. They are stunning, thanks to their giant flower with a trumpet-like shape. It is a terrestrial bromeliad and has some connection to pineapples. You can find them in Chile, their native habitat.

Jade Vine 

The Jade Vine, botanically called the Strongylodon macrobotrys, is stunning with its exotic turquoise colour and claw-shaped petals. These flowers develop in trees and are over three feet long. Many even refer to it as an emerald creeper or jade climber. Native to the Philippines, the jade vine belongs to the bean family.

Black Bat Flower

These unique flowers belong to the yam family and are native to Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, and Bangladesh. You can also spot them in other parts of Southeast Asia's tropical areas. They were described for the first time in 1901 by the French horticulturist édouard André. Black Bat Flowers have bat-shaped black blooms that grow to 12 inches.

Chocolate Cosmos

Chocolate Cosmos does not grow in the wild anymore and is one of the rare exotic flowers. They come from the Asteraceae family and are challenging to grow and cultivate. Indigenous to Mexico, only a few Chocolate Cosmos species remain in the world. The flower has red-to-dark brown petals. They also emit chocolaty fragrances on late summer nights.

Camellia 'Middlemist's Red'

If you ask us which is the rarest flower in the world, our answer would be Camellia 'Middlemist's Red.' It has only two plant specimens remaining on the Earth. One is in New Zealand, while the other is in the UK's conservatory at Chiswick House. They yield bright pinkish-red rose-like flowers.

Red Indian Pipe 

Scientifically called Monotropa uniflora, the Red Indian Pipe is a white flower. Also called the Ghost Flower, Indian Pipe has bell-shaped blooms with translucent stems. It has no chlorophyll. So, there won't be any photosynthesis. These parasitic plants employ mycorrhizae and fungi to extract energy from the tree's roots. They are mostly white but can be red or pink. It is native to many countries in America and Asia.

Corpse Flower

It is a 12-foot flower native to rainforests in Indonesia. When in full bloom, the corpse flower emits an odour that smells like a rotting corpse. This distinct smell attracts pollinators.

Juliet Rose

Beyond being one of the most unique flowers in the world, it is also the rarest rose, as it took 15 years for David Austin, a rose breeder, to cultivate this flower in England.

Flame Lily

Native to Asia and Africa's southern and tropical regions, the Flame Lily flowers range from orange to yellow, reddish or dark pink. They grow tall, sometimes up to three metres. Flame lily is poisonous, so please do not touch it.

Kadupul Flower

Botanically called Epiphyllum oxypetalum, Kadapul is a night-blooming rare flower. Kadapul, with one of its uncommon flower names, is indigenous to South and Central America. It is cherished for its captivating aroma and stunning beauty.

Legends even refer to it as the Queen of the Night because of its breath-taking appeal and rarity. Though many suggest that it grows in Sri Lanka, Kadupul is spotted in Latin America, China, India, and Japan.

Rafflesia flower 

Scientists believe it is the world's largest individual flower, with a three-foot diameter. It is a beauty with its red-dotted petals. The flower smells like rotting flesh and is called the moniker corpse flower. 

It can be either male or female, but the pollination occurs when males and females bloom in the vicinity. Such tropical, rare flowers have no stems or leaves and are native to Indonesia's rainforests.

Catherine-Wheel Pincushion

Belonging to the fireworks pincushion group, it is one of their most beautiful varieties. Native to South Africa, these are endangered, beautiful, and rare flowers.

Cooke's Koki'o

These pretty rare flowers belong to the Malvaceae family. Native to Hawaii's Moloka'i island, Cooke's Koki'o is extinct in the wild. They yield orange-red flowers, and their twisted petals grow up to 10 feet.

Hawaiian Hibiscus

Though hibiscus is uncommon, these unusual flowers are spotted in Oahu and Moloka'I's Hawaiian Islands. They thrive in moist mountain forest environments. Hawaiian Hibiscus yields attractive, giant flowers, which are often fragrant. Its tropical flowers can be purple, orange, yellow, or pink. Since they are challenging to locate, these hibiscus are on the endangered list with rare flower names.

Youtan Poluo

Also called Nelumbo nucifera, the Youtan Poluo is a rare and unique flower from China. These have a spiritual significance and bloom once every 3000 years, making them one of the most rare flowers on earth. 

Youtan Poluo was found for the first time in 2010 in Lushan Mountain at a nun's residence. This rare flower is known to bring purity and good fortune. The flower has a sandalwood-like fragrance and signifies immortality in the Buddhist scriptures.

Purple Passionflower

Botanically called Passiflora incarnata, the purple passionflower is native to the Southeastern United States. They are pretty unique flowers known for their exotic appeal. These blossom for a day, and it is a delight to spot them. When left to mature, the flowers become juice and sweet passionfruit. It is Tennessee's state flower.

Franklin Tree Flower

These exquisite and rare flowers have been extinct since the early 1800s. Hence, they have made a place for themselves among themost unique flowers in the world. William Bartram and John Bartram, two renowned American botanists, discovered the Franklin Tree Flower in 1765. They collected the seeds from the last known specimens to ensure their survival.

Hence, it is a symbol of botanical discovery and perseverance. The Franklin Tree flower has a cup-shaped appeal with five petals enveloping its golden yellow stamens.

During the fall, its dark green leaves turn red, and the flowers emit a honeysuckle-like fragrance, adding to its appeal. These flowers are native to Georgia's Altamaha River valley.

Gibraltar Champion

While they look exotic or striking, they are rare. These flowers have five pink, violet, or white split petals, and they resemble the other more prevalent members of the same genus, like Silene latifolia. This woody-based perennial plant has a tiny natural habitat. They grow to 40 cm and are critically endangered. 

Lady's Slipper Orchid

Orchids are beautiful, rare flower names. However, these are rare on this planet. One such orchid is the Lady's Slipper. While they are typically uncommon, their purple and yellow varieties are rare. These orchids were considered extinct in the 20th century, but a solitary plant was discovered in England. Overall, it is so rare that you may find only a few remaining specimens around the globe.

White American Waterlily

This stunning aquatic plant is now scarce in many parts of the United States. White American Waterlilies are giant and float on a broadleaf, making them a sight to behold. Those species with pure white metals grow up to 12' in diameter. It looks like a star with its golden stamens in the centre. Its beauty and lovely aroma make it a spectacular addition to any landscape.

Himalayan Poppy

While you can find flowers in almost every colour, it is still rare to spot true blue blossoms. However, the Himalayan poppy is one of them. These flowers bloom for a few days, but they are a sight. You can grow them from seed, but these are tricky to grow. 

Final Words

Metamorphose your garden into a haven of beauty and mystery with the rarest flowers. Each of these flowers presents a story of uniqueness and resilience. Explore the captivating world of these rare flowers through 22 breathtaking photos and discover the delicate balance between extinction and preservation in the realm of extraordinary flora.

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*Images used are for illustration purposes only. Interior Company does not hold any copyright to the images unless mentioned explicitly.