Blattgold

Nepenthes rajah

Origin: Borneo (Mount Kinabalu)

The largest pitcher in the world: it holds up to 3.5 liters. Treeshrews lick the nectar on the lid and, in return, leave behind … fertilizer.

Corpse Lily

Rafflesia arnoldii

Origin: Rainforests of Sumatra and Borneo

The largest single flower in the world: almost a meter across, weighing up to 11 kg, and it smells of rotting meat. It has no leaves, stems or roots.

Echeveria 'Blue Bird'

Origin: Cultivar

One of the bluest echeverias of all. The pink tips come from sun stress – a kind of freckles.

Scarlet Cattleya

Cattleya coccinea

Origin: Southeast and southern Brazil to northeast Argentina: on mossy trees and rocks in the cloud forests of the Serra do Mar, 650–1,750 m

Its old name Sophronitis comes from the Greek word for “modest”, as the plant barely grows 10 cm tall. Its scarlet flower, on the other hand, is up to 7 cm across.

Phragmipedium kovachii

Origin: Northern Peru, eastern slopes of the Andes (limestone rocks around 2,000 m)

Only discovered in 2001 and instantly a crime story: namesake Michael Kovach took it to the USA without the right papers and got two years' probation. On the bright side, it has the largest flower in its genus: up to 20 cm, hot pink.

Slender Sun Pitcher

Heliamphora elongata

Origin: Venezuela: rock crevices, gullies and small bogs on the Ilú, Tramen and Karaurín tepuis, 1,800–2,600 m

The summit of Ilú-tepui, where it grows, can only be reached by helicopter. Each shoot usually has just 2 to 3 living pitchers, ringed by dead old ones that probably shield them from wind and rain.

Cobra Lily

Darlingtonia californica

Origin: USA: Northern California and Oregon (cold, spring-fed bogs)

The pitchers look like rearing cobras, forked tongue and all. See-through windows in the hood confuse insects, and bacteria do the digesting.

Blue Flesh Pyramid

Sarcopyramis sp. 'Sumatra'

Origin: Probably Sumatra (Indonesia), according to nurseries: deep shade in damp rainforest undergrowth, altitude unknown

Its leaves shimmer metallic blue like beetle wings, and the undersides are reddish purple. It has no species name yet: in the trade it is simply called “sp. Sumatra”.

Moon Cactus 'Hibotan'

Gymnocalycium mihanovichii 'Hibotan'

Origin: Japan (cultivar)

This bright red cactus has no chlorophyll and can't survive on its own. It rides piggyback on a green rootstock.

Red Living Stone

Lithops karasmontana 'Top Red'

Origin: Namibia (Karas Mountains)

The red-veined windows look like maps with rivers. Every plant has its own map.

Monstera 'Thai Constellation'

Monstera deliciosa 'Thai Constellation'

Origin: Cultivar from tissue culture

Its cream-colored speckles look like a starry sky and are considered stable. Every single plant is propagated in a lab.

Philodendron 'Pink Princess'

Philodendron erubescens 'Pink Princess'

Origin: Cultivated form

Dark leaves with bright pink patches. Every leaf is a surprise: sometimes all pink, sometimes just a splash.

Venus Flytrap

Dionaea muscipula

Origin: USA (bogs in North and South Carolina)

The trap only snaps shut when a tiny hair is touched twice within 20 seconds. So it counts! And no, it doesn't like ground beef.

Welwitschia

Welwitschia mirabilis

Origin: Namibia (Namib Desert)

In its whole life it grows only two leaves, which keep growing endlessly – some plants are over 1,500 years old. Patience is its middle name.

Echeveria 'Topsy Turvy' Cristata

Echeveria runyonii 'Topsy Turvy' f. cristata

Origin: Mexico (cultivar, crested form)

A cristata forms when the growing point stretches out into a line. Instead of a rosette, a wavy crest grows – each one is unique.

Pride of Table Mountain

Disa uniflora

Origin: South Africa, Western Cape: by waterfalls, streams and seeps in the sandstone mountains, from Table Mountain to the Cederberg

Only one single butterfly pollinates it: the Table Mountain beauty, a fan of bright red. In return, it happily stands with wet feet right next to the waterfall.