There are several species of exotic plants that we have grown so accustomed to that we almost take them for granted. Actually what you think you know about these plants may not be all there is to them. The Venus flytrap, bamboo plants, orchids and bonsai are all very different but have one critical fact in common. They are all commonly found around us and are all considered exotic by plant experts. In this article, these common exotic plants will be reviewed in some detail. Hopefully you will learn something about these species that you didn’t know before.

Venus Flytrap

The Venus flytrap was named for the Greek goddess Venus, who is commonly thought of as the goddess of love but who was also the goddess of plants. This bulb-like flower is made up of several leaves that are usually no more than six centimeters long. Actually the Venus flytrap is an herb that is carnivorous unlike most plants, which use photosynthesis to create food. This exotic plant catches insects and arachnids in a natural trap formed by its multiple leaves. Although the Venus flytrap has been transplanted successfully in many areas, it only grows naturally in North and South Carolina’s swamps and bogs.

Bamboo

There are about 1000 species of bamboo found mostly in Asian, Indian, and Australian cultures. A quick growing exotic plant, many industries have begun harvesting bamboo for floor covering, window treatments, serving bowls and baskets, as well as many other less common uses. Bamboo is actually a type of grass and can be extremely invasive in a backyard setting. For this reason it is important to take careful precautions when planting ornamental bamboo as an exotic plant in your landscaping.

Orchids

Orchids are known for their beauty. They are one of the largest and most varied group of exotic flowering plants, boasting over 25,000 species. Although there are many thousands of types of Orchids, every one of them is protected as a threatened species.  This prevents orchids from entering America so they must be grown in the country in greenhouses. Even hybrids of orchids are no longer allowed into the nation because officials cannot tell the difference between a true species and a hybrid.

Bonsai

Bonsai literally translates into ‘potted plant’ in Japanese and ‘tray scenery’ in Chinese. Not actually an exotic plant as much a tree.  It is the art of growing miniature trees by planted them in containers and pruning and trimming according to the custom of the tradition. Even though Bonsai is usually associated with the Japanese culture, it originally began in China. Today the word Bonsai is used to describe both the Japanese and Chinese methods.

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