If you’ve ever had the chance to eat a corn dog, you know how much fun it can be to roll around your taste buds with savory flavors of sausage and corn batter over delicious hot dogs.
However, when it comes to plants, some don’t even have any meat at all. Though they certainly lack in meat products, these plants have plenty of other spices on their leaves that will spice up your taste buds and may even trick you into thinking they look like corn dogs.
And so we present to you the strange and surprising world of plants that look like corn dogs.
Are They Real?
Of course, they’re real. We don’t want to be caught standing next to one of these babies without any proof. While some might look like they’ve been Photoshopped, it turns out there are plenty more authentic-looking plants that could pass for summer fair food.
Plants That Look Like Corn Dogs
1. Common Cattails (Typha Latifolia)
As their name suggests, cattails are a type of plant that looks exactly like corn dogs, which makes them amazing camouflage for animals. If you’re ever at a theme park where people are dining on corn dogs, keep your eyes peeled for these plants-the resemblance is uncanny.
In fact, cattails sometimes smell like corn when they’re crushed. They’re found in marshy areas across North America. Be careful if you plan to grab one. They can be dangerous if ingested. Cattail pollen is known to cause severe allergic reactions in some people.
To learn more about these incredible plants, take a trip to Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay or Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Orlando. These two parks include some of nature’s most fascinating marvels, so be sure to see what else they have in store for you.
If you’re interested in growing your own cattail, you can purchase seeds from nurseries or online. They prefer a sunny location with moist soil, so be sure to check on them regularly. When they’re young, cattails are edible-try boiling them for a delicious meal.
But remember that mature plants aren’t safe to eat. In fact, even walking through a patch of cattails can cause your skin to break out in painful welts. Be careful when encountering these strange plants– just because they look like corn dogs doesn’t mean they should be eaten.
2. Typha Angustifolia (Narrowleaf Cattail)
With a name like Typha Angustifolia, you might expect that you’re about to try a hot dog on a stick. But no, no. This is what a corn dog looks like. As I understand it (I’m going off Wikipedia here), Typha Angustifolia is one variety of Cattail plants.
The cattail is an interesting little plant in that its pollen can be used as flour, and its starchy root can be eaten as a vegetable. Native Americans have used it for centuries, who would eat its young shoots in springtime or use its pollen to make bread or cakes.
The cattail also has medicinal uses: Native Americans would often burn pieces of cattails over their skin for relief from rashes or other ailments caused by poison ivy or other plants. While some people may look at these strange plants and think they resemble a corn dog, others see them as something completely different.
The Strangest Place You Can Find Them
The jungles of Latin America, where corn dogs grow on vines. The original use for these giant corn dogs was as fishing bait (the large seed pods are filled with a milky, nutritious substance that attracts fish), but it has since grown in popularity for its ‘edible’ properties.
Some people even claim it is one of nature’s finest foods, but be careful to take small bites – a whole seed pod will likely cause you to throw up. Though rare, death reports have been recorded when individuals consume too much at once. So if you do decide to eat them, remember: When in doubt, just nibble.
3. Typha Laxmannii (Graceful Cattail)
Looking somewhat like an ear of miniature corn, Typha Laxmannii is a member of an aquatic plant family native to Russia. Humans don’t eat the flowering cattail, but it has been used as animal fodder. Some even use it for medicinal purposes.
4. Typha Domingensis (Southern Cattail)
The tall grass that grows in your backyard may look like a corn dog. In fact, it might just be a cattail. Its unusual vertical growth pattern makes Typha Domingensis a striking addition to any garden. This plant is native to North America and has been used for everything from weaving baskets to making mats for Native Americans.
It’s easy to grow as long as you keep its roots wet-but don’t worry about over-watering. This plant can survive even underwater for extended periods of time. Be sure not to let it dry out completely, though if you do, expect some pretty severe damage (like exploding).
Can I eat them?
Some people might think that because these plants look like corndogs, you can actually eat them (because why not). However, you probably shouldn’t eat corn dogs unless you know what they’re made out of.
These plants are poisonous to humans, just like corn dogs. So be careful. If you see one in your backyard, don’t try to have it for dinner. Get rid of it with proper tools such as a shovel. It could cause harm if ingested by humans.
How Do You Take Care Of These Plants?
We’ve looked into a handful of plants that are often confused for corn dogs or just similar enough to have their own moniker. Regardless, we’re here to help you understand these strange-looking succulents so you can enjoy them in your home.
We’ll also include tips on how to care for each plant, so it looks as good as possible when you show it off to your friends. Here are some tips for caring for these plants-
- The most important thing to know about these plants is that they are succulents, meaning they store water in their leaves, stems, or roots to survive in areas with little rainfall. Because of their adaptation to dry climates, succulents require very little water-in fact, over-watering is one of the most common mistakes people make when caring for these plants.
- It’s also important to remember that succulents are sun-lovers, so make sure you place them in a spot with plenty of sunlight throughout the day. A windowsill is a great option for these plants-just be sure to avoid direct sunlight during hot summer months. Succulents can also do well in rooms with artificial lighting, as long as they’re not near any heat sources (like lamps or televisions).
- Succulents are also not picky about soil type, but they do need well-draining soil. It’s best to purchase a cactus or succulent potting mix, which is made specifically for these plants and will drain quickly, so your plant doesn’t get waterlogged. However, you can also use regular potting soil if you keep an eye on your plant-if it starts to look droopy or shriveled, it probably needs more water.
Conclusion:
The world is a strange place. From a curious yellow flower to hibiscus plants that look like tigers, many plants are a bit more unique than others. In fact, there are even some plants out there that have appearances so similar to common foods, such as hot dogs, corn dogs, fried eggs, bananas, and more.
These mysterious organisms are wonderful examples of nature’s beauty and how intelligent it can be at times. This article shows the strange and surprising world of plants that look like corn dogs. But who knows what plants will surprise us next?
