When we first came across these pictures, we thought they had to be photoshopped. But alas, they are all very real! These are truly beautiful to behold. Scroll down to check the stunning flower images; our collection ranges from the Monkeyface orchid to the White Egret and some non-Orchid plants that look like Dart Vader and human skulls.

Monkey Face Orchid (Dracula Simia): Native to the tropical highland forests of Southeastern Ecuador, the Dracula simia-which translates to "little dragon monkey"-thrives at altitudes around 2,000 meters. Be prepared for a hike to see these quirky plants in their natural environment. There are more than 110 varieties within the Dracula genus-Dracula amaliae and Dracula gigas being two of our other favorites-each a different color and shape, but all with that same monkey face.

Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis): Moth orchid is the common name for the phalaenopsis orchid that's quickly become one of the most popular species from the orchidaceae family of flowering plants. Glorious colored blooms all year round and the "ease of growing" is what makes these a popular house plant choice.

Foliage: The stalks stand tall, producing a number of flowers along the stalk and the large green oval shaped leaves sit close to the bottom of the stems and top roots. An interesting foliage feature is the curled medusa hair looking roots that sit near to the top of the medium. These roots are on the look out for moisture and nutrients to care for itself as they would in their natural habitat, being an epiphyte plant. Flowering: The phalaenopsis blooms striking colors all year round, which last for up to 3 months or more. When a stem is done with blooming flowers it can bloom again the following year, but prune if it starts turning brown or prune as soon as the flowers begin to fade. These flowers have one upper and two lower sepals, two side petals and then the attractive lip, column, and stigmatic surface, which sits in the lower center.

There are two ways to cut a stalk after flowering that growers follow. One way is to cut the plant an inch or two above a node "below the flowers" and another is to cut the stalk off an inch above the soil. Neither way is wrong and has it's purpose. Cutting near the node allows new blooms to grow on that stem quickly and another branch may grow. Cutting at the base gives the plant the opportunity to use it's energy to produce finer blooms next time round. Ease of growing: These orchids are plants that enjoy be provided with above average humidity levels, warm temperatures and bright light for long periods, which makes them moderately easy for people to grow, but difficult for others. Once a stalk begins growing over 12 inches tall or so, you will find it might need to be supported (with a stake) to grow upright. Some can grow arched over too much and look unattractive. Most from the garden store come already staked.

Naked Man Orchid (Orchis Italica): Orchis, genus of about 20 species of terrestrial orchids (family Orchidaceae) native to Eurasia and northern Africa. The tuberous roots of the early purple orchid (Orchis mascula) and several other species contain a nutritive starch. In southern Europe they are collected and dried to produce a flour that is mixed with sugar, flavourings, and liquid (such as water or milk) to produce a drink called salep.

Orchis species are characterized by a pair of egg-shaped underground tubers. Each plant bears a single flower spike with many purple, pink, or white flowers, and most species have several narrow leaves at the base. The petals and sepals often form a helmetlike structure, and the flower lip usually has several lobes.

The green-winged orchid (O. morio) is widely distributed throughout Eurasia. The monkey orchid (O. simia), the man orchid (O. anthropophora), the soldier, or military, orchid (O. militaris), and the naked man orchid (O. italica) all have flowers that resemble helmeted human figures. (See also man orchid.) Other Eurasian species of Orchis include some known as marsh orchids and others known as spotted orchids.

Hooker's Lips (Psychotria Elata): Those aren't Mick Jagger's lips Photoshopped onto a plant. Believe it or not, this is a real plant affectionately called Hooker's Lips for the flowers that look like large, luscious red lips. Known scientifically as Psychotria elata, these low-growing trees or shrubs can be found in tropical places like Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia, particularly in areas that tend to get a lot of rainfall. Those red lips are commonly called flowers, but they are actually leaf-like bracts. And just like a hooker would wear bright red lipstick to attract potential clients, those red hot lips on the plant attract pollinators, such as hummingbirds and butterflies to the small, white flowers that grow inside the large bracts. The fruits are oval berries that turn blue or black when mature.

Dancing Girls (Impatiens Bequaertii): Isn't this outrageous? It doesn't have a common name, but i call it the Dancing Girl Impatiens! Impatiens bequaertii is a rare species from the rainforests of east Africa. This petite plant only grows about a foot across and the blooms are barely 1/2" long, but their enchanting shape makes up for it! The petals resemble a little girl in a skirt with outstretched arms. These white or light-pink blossoms appear year-round for me, and the foliage is attractive too. This is a very rare collector's plant - I don't know anyone else offering it.

Impatiens bequaertii is a perennial species that trails and climbs to about 8" in each direction, rooting wherever it touches the soil. It looks nice when grown in a hanging planter, so the flowers can be admired up at eye level. The blooms are mostly white but occasionally soft-pink, and have 2 yellow "buttons" on the petals. The heart-shaped leaves are a nice olive green on top, and the underside is wine red, as are the branches. This a true species, not a hybrid. It's possible that it can be crossed with some other Impatiens species to create new hybrids.

Laughing Bumble Bee Orchid (Ophrys bomybliflora): This orchid is widespread throughout the Mediterranean although our experience is that it is less common the further east you travel. In the Algarve region of Portugal it is virtually impossible to miss it because it occurs with such frequency and in great numbers.

Although normally quite a short plant Bumblebee Orchid can grow up to 35 cm in height in places where it is competing with taller plants for light. The flowers have very distinctive and relatively large, oval green sepals and small, triangular petals which are sometimes tinged with a bronze colour. The lip is three-lobed and brownish in colour sometimes with a bluish speculum although this is not always present - see below. This ophrys species is unmistakable, unlike many others, and there can be little confusion when it comes to identification. Although it is insect-pollinated, the main reason for its success in building large colonies is that it also reproduces vegetatively via its numerous root-tubers. Found throughout the Mediterranean region but more numerous in the west. Ophrys bombyliflora favours calcareous substrates which is one reason why it is so common on the coast of the Algarve where the ground is sandy and has a high content of crushed sea shells. It also occurs on waste ground in the barrocal and on abandoned farmland. This orchid flowers early in the season and can often be found from February through to the beginning of April. The specimens above were photographed in Portugal on the Algarve in mid March.

Snap Dragon Seed Pod (Antirrhinum): Snapdragons are familiar, old-fashioned flowers named for the blooms that resemble little dragon jaws that open and close when you gently squeeze the sides of the flowers. The segmented blooms must be pollinated by big, strong bumblebees because honeybees aren't sturdy enough to open the jaws. Once the pollinated blooms die back, another unique feature of the plant is revealed – the snapdragon seed heads. When the snapdragon flowers die, the dried seed pods, which look like tiny, brown, shrunken skulls, prove just how beautiful and strange nature can be. Watch for the seed pods in late summer, then get your camera because your friends will never believe it!

White Egret Orchid (Habenaria Radiata): The White Egret Orchid is named for its beautiful flowers, which have a striking resemblance to a graceful white egret in flight. Sometimes called the fringed orchid, this hardy terrestrial orchid, which is native to Japan, needs well-drained, moderate to constant moisture soil, and full to partial sunlight. Growing from pea-like tubers, the small, fleshy strap-like foliage comes up in the spring but doesn't bloom until late summer. However, once in bloom, there can be more than twelve white blossoms on one flower spike that will bloom for weeks.