The Enigmatic Hydnora Africana: An Unconventional-Looking and Peculiarly-Scented Parasitic Plant

 Often known as “dog food,” Hydnora Africana is a parasitic plant species that is considered one of the strangest in the world. Relatives of this plant species often hide underground, absorbing nutrients from the host plant roots.

Hydnora Africana mainly inhabits coastal areas from South Africa to southwestern Angola. The bright red color, similar to salmon, of this flower species serves the same biological purpose as other flowers, which is to attract insects.

However, the strange shape of this flower makes it hard to believe it’s a flower. If you look through the three openings of the flower, you will see three completely different perspectives. Some people say that the inside of the flower resembles the mouth of a monster.

Not only does this flower have a bizarre appearance, but it also has an unpleasant odor, often described as fecal. With such a scent, it’s hard to believe that any animal would want to approach the flower. Surprisingly, however, it’s precisely this distinctive odor and shape that attract Hydnora Africana. When the beetles land on the flower, they get stuck, and when they escape, they carry pollen and unwittingly spread it.

In contrast to the flower, the fruit of the Hydnora Africana plant has a pleasant odor and can grow up to over 8 cm, containing nearly 20,000 seeds per fruit. The locals often use this fruit as a medicine for diseases related to the kidney, bladder, constipation, and acne.

 

Read More