My friends at Care2 sent me this disturbing article by Katie Waldeck

It’s not just polar bears and tigers that are threatened by endangerment. Indeed, there are a number of fascinating, beautiful, and odd plants that are on the brink of extinction. Click through for some of the planet’s most unique and gorgeous plants. What are we doing to our planet?

1. Mother-in-Law’s  Cushion – these cacti are more scientifically known as echinocactus grusonii. A popular houseplant, Mother-In-Law’s Cushion is critically endangered in its native Mexico.

2. Ko’oloa’ula – fewer than 500 ko’oloa’ula plants remain in the dry forests of Hawaii, making it one of the state’s most endangered plants. Once used to make leis, the beautiful flowers are often hidden by the plant’s much larger leaves, so it’s often hard to notice the plant from a distance.

3. Giant Quiver Tree – these critically endangered trees are native to Namibia and South Africa, where many unusual succulent species call home. They can grow up to 32 feet tall. They’re considered the most prized aloe tree by American gardeners, and, on the rare occasion seeds or plants are for sale, have a hefty price tag.

4. Orbea Paradoxa – these unusual flowers were nearly extinct after the construction of a dam in their native South Africa. Luckily, however, the National Botanical Institute of South Africa was able to rescue a number of specimens.

5. Corpse Flower – one of two plants that earn the nickname “corpse flower,” for emitting an odour akin to the smell of rotting flesh, the Rafflesia arnoldii is native to Sumatra, Indonesia. It holds the distinction as being the largest flower on earth; it grows to about 3 feet in diameter and weighs as much as 24 pounds! The number still surviving in the wild is unknown, but its rainforest habitat is suffering from deforestation.

6. Welwitschia – these odd plants are native to the Namib desert in Africa, and appear on Namibia’s national coat of arms. Some welwitschia are thought to be up to 2,000 years old!

7. Capa Rose – they used grow all over the island of Puerto Rico; today, however, its habitat is considerably smaller. Like many endangered species, deforestation, agriculture and forest service management are all contributing to its decline. Hurricanes are also a threat to the capa rose.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/8-beautiful-endangered-plants-slideshow.html#ixzz1qS8UVJQy

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