MivzakLive News All The News From Israel
The first time we came across a picture of this flower, the appearance was so strange that we suspected it was another web scam, photoshop or image processed by artificial intelligence. But, you won’t believe it, it’s completely real! This beautiful flower is called in Hebrew the “vampire monkey orchid” or by its scientific name Dracula Simia.
When you look at this amazing flower at first glance you can really distinguish the face of a monkey and hence the common name on the net, “monkey flowers”, was born. The flower’s unique shape, with its double-lipped mouth and open “throat”, reminds one of a monkey’s face, especially when viewed from certain angles.
These plants, native to North and South America, are very unique in their colors and appearance. The monkey flowers have a variety of colors: yellow, orange, pink, red and purple and when they decorate the garden it is impossible not to draw attention to them because of their unique appearance.
There are over 150 species of monkey flowers and they can be found in a variety of habitats, swamps, forests and places whose soil is moist and exposed to partial shade.
Monkey flowers have a sweet citrus scent and one of the most interesting things is their unique pollination strategy. Monkey flowers have a unique shape designed to attract specific pollinators, such as bees and hummingbirds. The shape of the flower makes it difficult for other insects to access the nectar, which helps ensure that only the desired pollinators can access the flower’s resources.
Another interesting aspect of monkey flowers is their use in traditional medicine. Some species of monkeyflower, such as the common monkeyflower (Mimulus guttatus), have been used by Native American tribes for centuries to treat a variety of ailments, including colds, sore throats, and skin irritations. The plant is said to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
Overall, monkeyflowers are a unique and fascinating type of flower that offers both ornamental and medicinal value. Their unique appearance and interesting pollination strategies make them a popular choice for gardeners and landscapers, while their traditional medicinal uses have made them an important part of native cultures for centuries.
If you thought of growing these in your garden, then you should know that with proper care and attention, monkey flowers can be grown in Israel’s climate. It is important to choose the sowing season according to their requirements and give them a comfortable place with light and moisture. Also, you may need to take steps to protect the plants from extreme heat or cold, depending on the time of year and your location in the country.
