Langsdorfia - the vampire voluptuary of the world of flora (6 photos)

Carnivorous and parasitic plants are quite rare. AND topics of interest. But this creature stands apart even against their background. After all, it not only exists at the expense of others, but also has an irresistible craving for reproduction.





Langsdorffia (Langsdorffia) both outwardly and in fact are more similar on some kind of underwater monster such as an octopus or a jellyfish, since it has no leaves. Only thick appendages that are like greedy tentacles reach out into the world to grab and drink random prey.



And the inhabitant of South and Central America, as well as Brazil and Madagascar, that's great. After all, the flower looks so alluring and exudes such intoxicating nectar that insects and birds cannot resist condition.



"Male" and "female" flowers

But langsdorffia doesn't eat scent-attracted pollinators. She draws vitality from donors - the roots of other plants. And in a move like once there are those same processes-hoses. Finding a suitable underground neighbor's root system, the flower connects to it and draws nutrients substances, slowly draining life force like a real vampire.



Interestingly, the whole plant is actually a sexual organ - "male" or "female". And the wonderful smelling nectar is a trick necessary for voluptuous langsdorffia to reproduce (actually sex). Because it attracts pollinators.



That is, it is both beautiful and terrifying at the same time. vampirite, and loves intimacy. And he is also distinguished by love of freedom, refusing grow in captivity. However, botanists do not particularly want to. And then there is little climb into the tentacles of a beautiful bloodsucker?



Langsdorff is another clear example of the fact that the world around us and the world of flora in particular is much more diverse than we can imagine, and hides many more secrets.