The New York Botanical Gardens has such an array of unusual plants.  One species that really intrigued me is something called “living stones” or very as they are scientifically known,  Lithops.

These succulents are masters of disguise.  They look like small rocks or pebbles.  They are barely noticeable unless you see them in bloom—not all of them bloom, but some do.  The first scientific description of a Lithops

was made by botantist/explorer/artist  William John Burchell

in 1811.  He accidentally found a specimen when picking up from the ground a “curiously shaped pebble.”

They are a type of succulent plant that grows in South Africa but is available as a novelty houseplant for those interested in growing one at home.  I found two very short videos showing flowers opening and closing on these extraordinary plants as well as several cool images.  Nature never ceases to amaze.

Here is a photo of all 35 known species. It was made for a botanical event in 2004 in England.  A contest was held to guess the number of plants in the pot. A lady from Kent guessed it correctly at 149 plants.  Can you see them all?

And here is a lithops labyrinth just to contemplate the wonders of nature.