Evolution has thrown up some odd but impressive plants over time. Here's a small selection you can see during your travels, from parasitic flowers that bloom in Borneo to cacti that thrive in the barren lava fields of the Galapagos Islands. With the help of knowledgeable guides, you can uncover their mysteries and nurture your inner botanist.
Kauri tree, New Zealand
New Zealand's Kauri Coast is home to the last and largest remaining kauri trees in the world —some are thought to be over 3,000 years old. Their thick, straight trunks were ideal for sailing ship masts, which resulted in most of the great kauri forests being logged out. The Waipoua Forest in the North Island is now the best place to see those that remain.
We can arrange for a local Māori guide to lead you to them at twilight, beneath a blanket of stars. As you walk, they’ll give you an insight into the spiritual and cultural significance of these trees, which the Māori people consider their ancestors. Te Matua Ngahere (The Father of the Forest) has a girth of around 16 m (52 ft), while Tāne Mahuta (The Lord of the Forest) rises to 51 m (167 ft) tall.
Read more about the Waipoua Forest
Quiver tree, Namibia & South Africa
The name “quiver tree” comes from the San people's use of the soft hollowed-out branches, which make an excellent quiver for arrows. The trunk can also be hollowed out and used to store water, meat, and vegetables. This tree aloe flourishes in desert and semi-desert areas and is indigenous to parts of South Africa and Namibia.
If you’re willing to drive for many hours (and take a few detours), you can find these trees on a self-drive trip that ties together South Africa and Namibia, specifically in the areas between Namaqualand and the south of Namibia. For somewhere more accessible, head to Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden, which is about a 90-minute drive from Cape Town.
Rafflesia flower, Malaysia
The Rafflesia is the world's largest flower. It can exceed 90 cm (3 ft) in diameter and weigh over 9 kg (20 lbs). The uniqueness of Rafflesia lies not just in its size and appearance — its peculiar parasitic lifestyle means that it’s totally dependent on a host (for example, a vine) for survival.
Due to their unpredictability, seeing one of these leafless flowers in bloom requires a stroke of luck. For your best chances, take a guided trek in Gunung Gading National Park, about a 90-minute drive from Kuching in Malaysian Borneo. Upon arrival, your guide will let you know if any of the flowers are in bloom, and, if there are, you’ll venture along a wooden path into the rainforest to see it in all its glory. If not, you might still see the dark-brown, cabbage-like buds of other Rafflesias not yet in full display, before hiking to a nearby waterfall to cool off in the rock pools.
Baobab tree, Madagascar
The baobab tree is capable of providing food, water, shelter, and medicine, which has earned it the moniker of “The Tree of Life”. They’ve been used as houses, storage barns, and even prisons. Its huge trunk has faint growth rings, but its age is more reliably measured through radiocarbon dating, which shows that baobabs can live to over 2,000 years. They’re native to Madagascar, mainland Africa, and Australia.
To see it in person, we recommend a stay at Anjajavy le Lodge, a waterfront property on Madagascar’s northwest coast. It’s only reachable by air, but, on guided forest walks, you can spot three different baobab species: the grey, the African, and the fony. Close to your palm-thatched villa, you might also spot Madagascar lovebirds, brown lemurs, and sifakas.
Read more about the remote West of Madagascar
Welwitschia mirabilis, Namibia
Welwitschia mirabilis consists of only two leaves and a stem with roots. While it’s not the prettiest plant (it often looks dead to the untrained eye), the welwitschia’s unusual properties make it so compelling. Over the course of its long life (anywhere from 400 to 2,000 years), the same two leaves it started with continuously grow, splitting into several leathery strap-shaped sections that never shed.
Mirabilis is mainly found in Namibia and is thought to be a relic of the Jurassic period. We recommend basing yourself in Swakopmund to see the welwitschia in nearby Namib-Naukluft National Park. We’ll pair you with a guide who’ll drive you across the Namib Desert’s moon-like gravel plains. Once they find a welwitschia, you’ll hop out the vehicle to see its unspooling leaves from up close.
Lava cactus, Galapagos Islands
These extraterrestrial-looking endemic cacti spring up like clusters of spikey fingers in the fresh lava fields of the Galapagos. A pioneer plant, the lava cactus is one of the first plants to grow on a lava flow, slowly turning an inhospitable environment into a place other species can flourish.
You can spot these yellowy-brown cacti on guided nature walks and hikes to lava fields on several islands, including Fernandina, Genovesa, Isabela, Santiago, and Bartolomé. On an expedition cruise, you’ll explore various islands from the water and on shore, alongside experienced guides who’ll uncover the archipelago’s unique fauna and flora. In addition to lava cactus, you might also see prickly pear cactus and endemic Scalesia. As for the islands’ animals, look out for blue-footed (and red-footed) boobies, giant tortoises, marine and land iguanas, and sea lions.
Read more about the Galapagos Islands
Joshua tree, USA
Otherworldly in appearance, Joshua trees are a type of yucca plant with spindly branches that twist upwards, culminating in clusters of spiky leaves. It looks almost as if the desert winds have pulled them to and fro, leaving each tree undecided on which way to bend. Yet, some Joshua trees have no branches at all, growing skywards as a solitary pole, capped with a bristly hat of leaves.
Head to the vast desert plains of Joshua Tree National Park, near Palm Springs, to see this tree in a setting that’s befitting of its peculiarity. Here, the trees sprinkle the sun-parched sandy earth, against a backdrop of sporadic rock formations and an almost year-round bright-blue sky. Go with an expert guide who can give you a deeper insight into the desert-adapted vegetation, choosing between 4x4 drives and hikes. To see the trees silhouetted against the rocks, we can plan a sunset hike followed by dinner and stargazing.
Vegetable sheep, New Zealand
A native of New Zealand's rocky mountains, the vegetable sheep plant has densely packed hairy leaves which, from a distance, gives it a sheep-like appearance (though not all plants are white). While it might look fluffy, the plant is actually quite hard to the touch. In all, there are about 20 species in New Zealand, and all of them are endemic.
You can spot their cushiony forms on hikes (or “tramps” as they’re locally known) into high alpine areas across the North and South islands. Some places you might come across them include Kahurangi National Park, Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, and Fiordland National Park. During your New Zealand trip, we can connect you with knowledgeable guides who know where best to find them.
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