13 Creepy Plants and Fungi Perfect for Halloween

Known as the “Rich’s corpse flower,” this plant produces one of the largest flowering structures in the plant kingdom—up to 10 feet tall!

When it blooms (which is rare), it emits a notorious odor of rotting flesh to attract pollinators like carrion beetles and flesh flies.

The scent comes from a mix of volatile chemicals including putrescine and cadaverine—same compounds found in decaying animals.

It heats up to disperse the odor more efficiently. In fact, it can be up to 36 °C warmer than air temperature.

Also called “deadly nightshade,” this plant has shiny black berries that look super tempting—but each one is highly toxic.

Eating even a few can cause dilated pupils, hallucinations, convulsions, and unfortunately, death.

The main villain here is atropine, a potent anticholinergic compound used in medicine in extremely controlled doses—but naturally, it’s lethal.

This flower has long, bat-like whiskers and deep purple-black petals that resemble a flying bat.

It creeps across the forest floor, like a stealthy cryptid.

Its color and shape mimic decaying plant material, attracting pollinators like flies rather than bees.

Completely white and translucent, this plant lacks chlorophyll and looks like a ghost emerging from the soil.

It gets energy by parasitizing fungi, which in turn get it from trees—kind of like a vampire plant.

Ghost pipe contains no chlorophyll. Instead, it forms a mutual relationship with fungi (mycorrhiza) and steals nutrients—making it a mycoheterotroph.

Imagine a red starfish emerging from the ground, with stinky, spore-covered “fingers” snapping outward.

It emits a foul odor—like rotting meat—to lure flies that spread its spores.

It’s part of the stinkhorn family. Its slime contains chemicals like putrescine that mimic carrion.

Maybe the most famous carnivorous plant—those snapping jaws still pack a punch, even if it’s just for bugs.

When an unsuspecting insect touches the trigger hairs, the trap snaps shut in less than a second--energy efficiency in action!

A bioelectric response triggers rapid changes in cells, folding leaves like a jaw.

Looks innocuous—white cap, pretty gills—but ridiculously toxic.

Responsible for most mushroom poisoning deaths worldwide.

Contains amanitin and phalloidin, which shut down RNA polymerase II—basically irreversibly shutting down critical protein production.

Witch doctors used it for potions, and “witching” branches respond to spirits in legends.

Flowers in fall or winter, with yellow ribbon-like blooms emerging in the cold.

Extracts are used for medicinal astringents, but folklore gave it a spooky reputation.

Looks like grayish-white hair draped on trees—eeek!

It’s actually a lichen, which is a fungus living with algae.

Being an air pollutant monitor, sensitive to air quality but we just see the ghostly drapey hair.

Yellowish-orange spaghetti vines that wrap around hosts, stealing nutrients.

No leaves, no chlorophyll—just a sneaky parasite.

Uses specialized structures called haustoria to tap into host plants. Once inside, it’s like a vampire on a vine.

Dried seed pods twist into corkscrew shapes that spin in the wind.

From a distance, it looks like dancing threads among branches.

The twisting helps the seeds drill into the soil—an adaptive seed-plant tactic.

The iconic red cap with white spots—classic fairy‑tale and Halloween mushroom.

Contains psychoactive compounds like muscimol and ibotenic acid.

Historically used in Siberia for shamanic rituals—and yes, it will get you tripping (not recommended).

These pitcher-shaped leaves lure insects with nectar, slip them into a liquid death pool, and digest ‘em.

Some tropical species eat small vertebrates—talk about dramatic.

Their interior is slippery and full of enzymes—nature’s trapdoor mechanism.