Some of the most beautiful flowers in the world may be found in the Philippines. But did you know that some of these flowers are also incredibly dangerous? In this blog post, we’ll look at the top five most dangerous flowers in the Philippines. So, without further ado, let’s get started!
#5: The Philippine Pitcher Plant (Nepenthes attenboroughii)
The Philippine pitcher plant is a carnivorous plant native to the Philippines. It gets its name from its pitcher-shaped leaves, which can grow up to 60 cm in length. These leaves are lined with nectar-secreting glands that attract insects. When an insect falls into the pitcher, it is unable to climb out and will eventually die and be digested by the plant. While the Philippine pitcher plant is not deadly to humans, it can cause skin irritation if you come into contact with its sap.
European botanist Karl Moritz Dassmann first described the plant in 1882. However, the plant was not successfully cultivated outside of its native habitat until the early twentieth century. Today, the Philippine pitcher plant is widely available as a houseplant, and it continues to fascinate scientists and hobbyists with its unique biology.
#4: The Jade Vine (Strongylodon macrobotrys)
The jade vine is a beautiful but dangerous flower that is native to the tropical forests of the Philippines. It gets its name from its bright green color, which resembles jade. The jade vine can grow up to 20 m in length and produces clusters of small, tubular flowers. These flowers are pollinated by bats, which fly into them while feeding on nectar. However, if a human comes into contact with the jade vine’s sap, it can cause skin irritation and burning.
The stunning Philippine jade vine, sometimes referred to as the emerald creeper, is a plant that is native to Southeast Asian tropical woods. The vine may reach a maximum length of 30 feet and bears clusters of lovely emerald-green blooms. While the vine is a sight to behold, it is also quite rare and endangered. In fact, the plant was only discovered in 1875 by an English botanist named Hugh Cleghorn. Cleghorn was on an expedition in the Philippines when he came across the plant. He was so taken aback by its beauty that he immediately collected a sample and sent it back to England for further study. Today, the vine is protected in its native habitat and can only be found in a handful of botanical gardens worldwide.
#3: The Chocolate Cosmos (Cosmos atrosanguineus)
The chocolate cosmos is a species of cosmos that is native to Central America and Mexico. It gets its name from its deep brown color, which resembles chocolate. The chocolate cosmos can grow up to 1 m in height and produces small, brownish-red flowers. These flowers give off a sweet smell that attracts bees and other pollinators. However, if you come into contact with the chocolate cosmos’ sap, it can cause skin irritation and burning.
The plant typically blooms in the summer and can reach up to three feet in height. Although the chocolate cosmos is native to the Philippines, it has also been introduced to other parts of Asia and Europe. Today, the chocolate cosmos is grown as an ornamental plant and is often used in bouquets and floral arrangements.
#2: The Oleander (Nerium oleander)
The oleander is a species of evergreen shrub that is native to Asia and Africa. It is among the most extensively farmed plants in the world and is frequently used as an ornamental plant in gardens. Oleanders can grow up to 6 m in height and produce clusters of white or pink flowers. While they are beautiful to look at, oleanders are actually one of the most poisonous plants in the world—ingesting even a small amount of their leaves can be fatal to humans and animals alike.
In 1846, the French naturalist and explorer Paul P. de la Croix discovered the Philippine oleander (Nerium indicum) on the island of Mindanao. He was the first person to describe the plant in scientific literature and played an important role in introducing it to Europe and North America. Since then, the Philippine oleander has become a popular ornamental plant, prized for its showy flowers and ability to thrive in warm climates. Today, it can be found in gardens all over the world. Thanks to de la Croix’s discovery, this beautiful plant is now enjoyed by people from all corners of the globe.
#1: The Rafflesia (Rafflesia arnoldii)
The rafflesia is a species of flowering plant that is native to Sumatra, Indonesia. It gets its name from Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of Singapore. Rafflesias are parasites that live on other plants—they have no leaves, stems, or roots. They can grow up to 1 m in diameter and produce large red or purple flowers with white spots. These flowers give off an unpleasant odor that smells like rotting flesh—this odor attracts flies, which act as pollinators for the plant. However, contact with the rafflesia’s sap can cause skin irritation and burning.
Today, the Philippine Rafflesia is recognized as the largest flower in the world. But it was not always this way. Its discovery is relatively recent, dating back to only the 19th century. The story begins with French explorer Louis-Marie Aubert du Petit-Thouars, who journeyed to the Philippines in 1838 in search of botanical specimens. During this expedition, du Petit-Thouars came across a large, strange-looking flower that he could not identify. He sent a flower sample back to France for further study, but it would be many years before it was appropriately classified. In 1882, another French explorer, Henri Mouhot, came across the same flower and sent a specimen back to France. This time, however, the flower was correctly identified as Rafflesia arnoldii and publicly announced by famed naturalist Ferdinand de Lesseps. Since then, the Philippine Rafflesia has been widely studied by scientists and continues to amaze visitors worldwide.
Conclusion:
As you can see, many dangerous flowers are found in the Philippines! Some of these flowers may be beautiful to look at, but they can cause serious harm if you come into contact with them. So, the next time you’re admiring a flower, be cautious!