Unusual (and Funny) Flower Names

Unusual names of unique flowers are an interesting aspect of the natural world. The names of others are downright quirky and amusing. They reflect each plant's unique characteristics. By contrast, the names of many flowers are descriptive or sentimental. Nature can delight and surprise people with various plants:

• beautiful and unpleasant looking;
• fragrant and foul-smelling.

Some flowers are funny in shape and name. Others are attractive but very dangerous with their psychotropic, poisonous properties.

Scientists estimate that about 350,000 species of flowering plants are on our planet. Some of the flowers are well-known and familiar to us. We see them quite often. But some flowers look simply amazing. They look more like fantasy than real earthly plants. And here are some of these funny plant names.

In this article, we'll look at some of the unique flower names. Also, we will discuss their origins and what makes them so special.

1. Corpse Flower

The Corpse Flower is one of the world's largest and most amazing flowers. Florists know it as Titan arum. It is native to the rainforests of Sumatra, Indonesia.  The corpse flower is famous for its pungent smell. As scientists say, it resembles the smell of a decomposing animal. A chemical compound causes the smell released during blooming. Many people believe that these flowers can attract corpse-eating insects. They pollinate the flower.

These funny flowers require special conditions. It means that you cannot get it anywhere else in the world. For example, you need:

• fairly warm climate;
• very high humidity. 

These are the same conditions as in rainforests with lots of rainfall.

The corpse flower is also one of the largest flowers in the world, with blooms that can reach up to 10 feet in height. The flower has a large size and unusual shape. This makes this funny plant name a popular attraction at botanical gardens and other public venues.

2. Naked Man Orchid

The Naked Man Orchid (Orchis italica) is a Mediterranean orchid. Its unusual shape resembles a naked man with outstretched arms. The orchid's flowers are pinkish-purple and are densely arranged on a spike. It can grow up to 60 centimeters in height.

The flower with a unique name is native to the Mediterranean region and can grow in rocky soils. You may usually see it in open areas, between 400-1500 meters in altitude. An interesting (and ironic) thing about this species of orchid is that it is hermaphrodite. It means that the flower has both female and male organs. Insects can do the pollination process. Here, we should mention that the hybrids of this orchid have broader petals. Despite its amusing name, the Naked Man Orchid has a long history of therapeutic uses.  

Doctors also used it to treat various illnesses and conditions:

• including respiratory problems;
• digestive issues;
• nervous disorders. 

In ancient Greece, people considered the orchid to be a powerful aphrodisiac.

3. Hot Lips

It is a herbaceous flowers name from the Marene family. In the wild, it grows in dense rainforests, very damp forests, and undergrowth and is a low shrub. It has broad, veined dark green leaves 10-15 cm long.

The plant is very popular with natural pollinators, including butterflies and hummingbirds. The flowers also form fruits, which are bright blue. You can find this plant in:

• Ecuador;
• Colombia;
• Panama;
• Costa Rica, etc.

This tropical plant is widespread for its splendid inflorescences resembling puffy female sponges. The peculiar shape of the flowers takes place in the first phase of development. You can notice a pair of fleshy bracts of bright red color. It is really one of the coolest names for unique flowers. Then small white florets appear in the inflorescences, followed by blue fruits. This unusual inflorescence shape is useful to attract hummingbirds that pollinate the plant. Butterflies also like this interesting plant. The deforestation of tropical forests threatens this unusual plant with complete extinction.

 4. Dead Man's Fingers

Dead Man's Fingers, also known as Blue Sausage Fruit, is an unusual plant native to China and Tibet. This flower with a funny name gets its name from its long blue pods. They hang down from the branches and resemble calloused fingers. This flower is incredibly poisonous. This plant should never be used as food. It is lethal within a couple of hours after consumption. The attractiveness of this flower is difficult to compare to a rose. Although some people are fans of such beauty as well.

It is one of the northern orchids. They can be of many kinds, such as:

• rounded;
• ovoid;
• articulated. 

You can find the flowers at the top of the stems in upright spike-like inflorescences. Dead Man's Fingers is also a popular ornamental plant due to its attractive foliage. People like it for its unusual fruit. But remember that it is not edible. These funny flowers are easy to grow, and you can use them as decoration.

5. Tickseed

This is an evergreen perennial plant in the Molochaceae family. Many people believe it originated in Ethiopia. It has spread throughout the tropics and subtropics of the entire planet. You can also find under the names "paradise tree," "castor," or "Turkish hemp." Its sturdy, branched stems, covered with huge leaves, are ornamental. This flower seems to have one of the unique flower names. It makes the castor oil plant very popular with gardeners. However, many are wary of the poisonous properties of the seeds and sap. Of course, it requires a lot of attention. But if you handle it, the castor oil plant will be a great decoration for the garden and attract attention.

Female flowers with three separate stigmas have a huge variety of colors: 

• crimson;
• yellow;
• red.

Flowering occurs during the summer months. Dense clusters of small, unsightly flowers bloom between the leaves and at the top of the shoot. Each inflorescence consists of male and female buds colored white or cream. Numerous stamens form a lush bunch and give the inflorescence an airy appearance.

6. Stinking Roger

These funny flowers have thin, feathery leaves. They are highly divided, producing small, yellow, or orange flowers in bunches. People often use this flower as an ornamental plant in gardens. It is beautiful because of its bright, showy flowers. But it is also known for its medicinal and culinary properties. One theory is that the name "Roger" is a corruption of the French word "Rogier," which means "rusty." This may be a reference to the reddish-brown color of the flower's center disc. Alternatively, "Roger" may have originated as a generic term for a man or fellow, which was sometimes used in the names of plants in medieval times. The "stinking" part of the name probably refers to the flower's pungent scent. Cooks in South American cuisine use it to flavor soups and stews. Also, you may cook a delicious salad with it. In traditional medicine, physicians believe that the plant possesses:

• anti-inflammatory;
• antimicrobial;
• digestive properties. 

In some cultures, flowers with this name are also useful as a culinary herb. Despite its strong odor, this flower is an interesting and versatile plant. It may not be as attractive as alstroemerias, but it has many other uses. It is also a hardy plant that can thrive in various growing conditions. So it is a popular choice for home gardeners and farmers.

7. Kiss Me Over the Garden Gate

Polygonum orientale is a tall annual flowering plant native to eastern Asia. The flower commonly known as "Kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate" has this name because of its tall, arching growth habit, with long, pendulous clusters of small pink or white flowers that hang over the garden fence or gate. The romantic name is thought to suggest a clandestine meeting place for lovers, where they might exchange a kiss over the garden gate. The origin of the common name is unclear, but it likely comes from this romantic association with the plant's appearance. If you are looking for names of unique flowers, you can definitely choose this one.

The leaves of the plant are:

• bright green;
• long;
• lance-shaped;
• growing up to 8 inches long. 

The stems and leaves are also tinged with a reddish hue, adding to the plant's visual appeal.

Kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate is easy to grow and care for. It prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. It self-seeds readily. So it may take the next subsequent years. And it is also known for its edible young leaves. You can cook funny flowers and eat them like spinach. This flower is a charming and unique addition to any garden. And its long, drooping flowers are sure to be a conversation starter.

Bottom Line 

We hope that you enjoyed our article. Perhaps we were able to make you laugh. However, such funny plant names are a good option for discussion but not for gift-giving. After all, most of them do not grow in our parts or are expensive. So choose proven options. We will gladly help you pick a bouquet for your dear people. Do not hesitate to ask our florists for the most beautiful flowers!

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