The World’s Most Unusual Plants

1. Rafflesia arnoldii: this parasitic plant develops the world's largest bloom that can grow over three feet across. The flower is a fleshy color, with spots that make it look like a teenager's acne-ridden skin. It smells bad and has a hole in the center that holds six or seven quarts of water. The plant has no leaves, stems, or roots.

2. Hydnora africana, an unusual flesh-colored, parasitic flower that attacks the nearby roots of shrubby in arid deserts of South Africa. The putrid-smelling blossom attracts herds of carrion beetles.

3. Dracunculus vulgaris: smells like rotting flesh, and has a burgundy-colored, leaf-like flower that projects a slender, black appendage.

4. Amorphophallus: means, literally, "shapeless penis." The name comes from the shape of the erect black spadix.

Northern Area of Pakisthan - Beautiful Photos

Venice Under Water

VENICE, Italy - Heavy rains and high winds left Venice almost completely flooded on Monday after surrounding sea levels rose to their highest in 22 years. Chairs of outdoor cafes could be seen almost fully submerged, while some luxury stores were also flooded. Officials said more than 99 percent of the city was under water and that sea levels in the Adriatic rose 1.56 meters (61 inches) -- a level not seen since 1986. It was the fourth-highest level recorded over the past century.