Weird & Wonderful
Plants can be strange, beautiful, elusive, complex - and essential for life.
There are those that are large enough to be seen from space, and those that curl up their leaves on a human touch. Some smell of rotting flesh, some feast on insects, frogs and rats, and some have been nicknamed 'living fossils' due to being around at the time of dinosaurs.
Out of the ordinary
There are many plants and fungi out there that defy the conventions of 'ordinary', such as the foul smelling corpse flower (Rafflesia arnoldii).
Ancient plants
Some plant groups, such as cycads, ginkgos and conifers, were around at the time of the dinosaurs - but can still be seen growing on planet Earth today.
Little and large
Plants and fungi come in a range of sizes, from those that need to be seen under a microscope to others that are big enough to be seen from space.
Carnivorous plants
Discover the fascinating world of carnivorous plants – that survive on a diet of insects, frogs, birds – and even small mammals!
Watch a video of flesh-eating plants
Nick Johnson from Kew's Tropical Nursery, introduces flesh-eating plants capable of snacking on mammals and birds!
Amazing adaptations
Through the process of evolution, plants have developed special features to help them survive in different environments.
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