Flowers That Look Like Something Else. Amazing Nature’s Wonders

by Paul Ciocoiu · July 2, 2015

Nature is full of surprises. Nothing is random anyway, each of these unexpected realities having a logical explanation. Flowers, for instance, have evolved with the very purpose of drawing pollinators. In time, this function has developed into distinct colors and shapes, many of them strikingly resembling recognizable figures, plants or animals. This metamorphosis is meant to attract pollinators, while dissuading less desirable pollinators or parasites. Some flowers are more welcoming to bees, while others are perfect for hummingbirds or different insects. Below are several examples of flowers that look like something else:

Many of these strange looking flowers are orchid species. The first example is an orchid whose flower, smelling like a ripe orange, looks exactly like a monkey face.

Flowers that look like something else in nature

Flowers that look like something else – monkey face orchid

Another species grows flowers that resemble the shape of the human body. These flowers are native to the Mediterranean and are popular for their bright pink and purple, densely clustered flowers.

Flowers that look like something else – human bodies shaped flowers

They also call it the “kiss flower” and they have a very good reason for this – a plant coming from Central and South America and whose flowers look like bright red lips. It apparently evolved into its current shape to attract pollinators like hummingbirds and butterflies, but it only looks like lips for a short while until it spreads open to reveal flowers.

Flowers that look like something else – big red lips

One of the Impatiens species grows flowers that take this very interesting shape – dancing girls. This rare species can be found in tropical forests in East Africa. Another species of Impatiens has flowers looking a parrot in flight. Since we mentioned dance, the same motion is perfectly described by the flowers of another orchid species, looking like a ballerina.

Flowers that look like something else – dancing girls

Flowers that look like something else – flying parrots

Flowers that look like something else – a ballerina

“The swaddled babies” is another orchid species with surprising shapes – the flowers seem to be little babies wrapped in diapers. Another orchid resembles a flying duck, not only in shape, but also in color.

Flowers that look like something else – swaddled babies

Flowers that look like something else – flying ducks

The Snap Dragon may look beautiful when blooming, but the seed pods have this macabre appearance of a human skull hanging off a branch. Rejecting the bad insects seems to be guaranteed.