Hydnora Africana

Hydnora Africana is an achlorophyllous plant in the family of Hydnoraceae. It is native to southern Africa. The plant grows underground, except for a fleshy flower that emerges above ground and emits an odor of feces to attract its natural pollinators, dung beetles and carrion beetles.

Insects that pollinate the flowers that why the flower burying themselves in the sepals for a couple of days and the flower emerges and opens releasing the insects to spread the pollen to other flowers in the area. Hydnora africana has a very strong and unpleasant smell. Hydnora Africana produces a fruit that grows underground, taking up to two years to ripen fully. The fruit is similar in taste and texture to a potato.