Weird & Wonderful Plants of Africa: 10 Botanical Marvels You Have to See

Weird & Wonderful Plants of Africa & Where to See These Botanical Marvels

From hauntingly alien trees that seem frozen mid-dance to succulents that defy logic, Africa is home to some of the world’s most bizarre and breathtaking botanical wonders. Many of these species are found nowhere else on Earth, thriving in the continent’s diverse ecosystems—from desert dunes and rocky escarpments to misty mountain valleys and tropical islands.

In this guide, we explore 10 of the most weird and wonderful African plants and where you can see them in the wild. These botanical marvels aren’t just strange—they’re also deeply tied to their local environments, cultures, and even legends.

1. Welwitschia mirabilis – The Living Fossil of Namibia

Perhaps Africa’s strangest plant, the Welwitschia mirabilis is a bizarre, ground-hugging species found only in the Namib Desert. With just two continuously growing leaves that become shredded over time, this plant can live for over 1,000 years—making it one of the longest-living plants on Earth.

Despite its unkempt appearance, Welwitschia is a gymnosperm (like conifers) and is uniquely adapted to draw moisture from coastal fog. It’s often referred to as a “living fossil” and is a proud symbol of Namibian endemism.

Where to See It:

• Namib-Naukluft National Park (Namibia)
• Welwitschia Plains near Swakopmund
• Skeleton Coast region

2. Baobab Trees – Africa’s Iconic Upside-Down Trees

The mighty baobab tree looks like it’s been uprooted and stuck back into the ground with its branches reaching down instead of up. These massive trees—some over 2,000 years old—store water in their huge trunks and serve as shelters, water sources, and even spiritual icons across Africa.

There are nine species of baobab, with the Adansonia digitata found widely across mainland Africa and six other species endemic to Madagascar. Their gnarled forms and hollow trunks make them both botanical oddities and cultural treasures.

Where to See Them:

• Avenue of the Baobabs (Madagascar)
• Kubu Island, Makgadikgadi Pan (Botswana)
• Limpopo Province (South Africa)

3. Halfmens (Pachypodium namaquanum) – The “Half-Human” Plant

Endemic to the arid mountains of the Richtersveld and southern Namibia, the surreal-looking Halfmens plant translates to “half-human” in Afrikaans. It grows as a tall, unbranched column with a crown of leaves at the top—resembling a person standing still and gazing north, toward the ancestral lands of the Nama people.

This otherworldly succulent is steeped in myth, said to be the spirits of displaced tribes. Botanically, it’s a desert-adapted stem succulent that relies on a unique shape and waxy coating to reduce water loss.

Where to See It:

• Richtersveld Transfrontier Park (South Africa/Namibia border)
• Ai-Ais and Fish River Canyon areas

4. Impala Lily (Adenium obesum) – The Desert Rose of Southern Africa

The Impala Lily (also known as Desert Rose) is a striking succulent with swollen stems and vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of pink, red, and white. Native to dry areas of southern and eastern Africa, this plant looks like a tiny tree and is both drought-resistant and surprisingly ornamental.

Its beauty masks a dangerous side: its milky sap is toxic and was traditionally used by hunters to poison arrows. Despite this, the plant is cultivated in gardens worldwide for its exotic appearance and drought-hardiness.

Where to See It:

• Kruger National Park (South Africa)
• Matobo Hills (Zimbabwe)
• Northern Namibia and Botswana

5. Dragon’s Blood Tree (Dracaena cinnabari) – Socotra’s Alien Lifeform

Though technically not mainland African, the Dragon’s Blood Tree of Socotra Island (off the Horn of Africa) is so strange it demands a spot. With an umbrella-like crown and sap that bleeds red when cut, this ancient species looks like it belongs on another planet.

The tree’s red resin has been used for centuries in dyes, incense, and traditional medicine. Socotra’s isolated location has allowed the evolution of this and many other botanical anomalies found nowhere else on Earth.

Where to See It:

• Socotra Island (Yemen, off the coast of Somalia)
• Firmihin Forest and Dixam Plateau on Socotra

Explore Related Blogs:

• Top Botanical Gardens in Africa
• African Desert Plants & Their Adaptations
• Madagascar’s Unique Flora and Fauna
• Strangest Trees Around the World
• Cultural Significance of African Plants

6. Hydnora africana – Africa’s Alien Parasite Flower

Buried underground for most of its life, Hydnora africana is one of the strangest plants in Africa—and the world. Native to southern Africa, it is a parasitic flowering plant that grows underground, feeding off the roots of nearby euphorbias. When it flowers, it pushes a fleshy, reddish-brown bloom above the soil that looks like something out of a sci-fi film.

The flower emits a strong odor of decaying flesh to attract dung beetles and carrion flies for pollination. With no visible leaves or chlorophyll, it lives a hidden life—making it all the more fascinating when found.

Where to See It:

• Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden (South Africa)
• Namaqualand and arid regions of the Western Cape

7. Kigelia africana – The Sausage Tree of the Savannah

Known for its large, sausage-shaped fruit that hangs from long, rope-like stems, the Sausage Tree (Kigelia africana) is one of the more peculiar sights in African savannah landscapes. The fruits can weigh over 10 kilograms and dangle like bizarre natural chandeliers from the tree’s branches.

While the fruits are toxic when raw, they are used in traditional medicine and skincare, and have been fermented into beer in some local cultures. The tree is also highly valued for its vibrant, bell-shaped red flowers that attract bats and sunbirds.

Where to See It:

• Kruger National Park (South Africa)
• Chobe National Park (Botswana)
• Serengeti and Masai Mara ecosystems

8. Socotra Cucumber Tree (Dendrosicyos socotranus) – Desert Gourd on a Trunk

Exclusive to the remote island of Socotra, the Socotra Cucumber Tree is a member of the gourd family but grows like a tree—with a fat, swollen trunk and small, rounded canopy. It’s the only known tree-like cucumber species and is an icon of the island’s unique evolution.

The tree’s trunk helps it survive in extreme arid conditions by storing water, while its roots anchor into rocky slopes. It exemplifies the weirdness of Socotra’s ecosystem, where over a third of the flora is endemic.

Where to See It:

• Socotra Island (off the Horn of Africa)
• Plateaus and valleys near Hadiboh and Dixam

9. Quiver Tree (Aloe dichotoma) – Namibia’s Tree of Light

The sculptural and luminous Quiver Tree (Aloe dichotoma) is a giant aloe that looks like it belongs in a dreamscape. Its forked branches and golden bark reflect moonlight, earning it the nickname “Tree of Light.” Indigenous San people once used its hollowed branches to make quivers for arrows—hence the name.

These drought-resistant succulents are found in rocky desert habitats and are among the oldest aloe species. Their twisted forms are a photographer’s favorite, especially when silhouetted against African sunsets or starlit skies.

Where to See It:

• Quiver Tree Forest near Keetmanshoop (Namibia)
• Namaqualand and Gariep region (South Africa)

10. Encephalartos woodii – The Loneliest Plant on Earth

Considered extinct in the wild, Encephalartos woodii is a cycad species so rare that all known specimens are male. It was discovered in the Ngoye Forest of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, in 1895—and has never been seen again in the wild since the last individual was removed for study and preservation.

Today, all living plants are clones from that single specimen, making it one of the rarest and most valuable plants on Earth. Though you can no longer find it in nature, it can be seen in select botanical gardens, where it stands as a symbol of conservation and loss.

Where to See It:

• Durban Botanic Gardens (South Africa)
• Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden (Cape Town)

Explore Related Blogs:

• Africa’s Most Unique Eco-Regions
• How Plants Adapt to Harsh African Environments
• Endemic Plant Species of Madagascar
• Rare African Trees and Their Stories
• Top African Travel Destinations for Nature Lovers

From underground parasites to ancient cycads and sky-reaching succulents, Africa’s flora is as diverse and wondrous as its landscapes. Exploring these plants reveals more than biological oddities—it offers insight into the adaptability, mythology, and deep-rooted stories woven into Africa’s natural heritage.