A so-called penis plant in Cambodia is on the verge of extinction as the government issues warning over picking them, but why are the phallic plants so irresistible?

Penis plants are going extinct as people keep picking them

Yes, there is a penis plant and yes it does look exactly how you’d imagine. It’s also incredibly popular, as people can’t seem to keep their hands off the little guys. It’s got so bad that the Cambodian government is begging people to stop picking the plants as they are on the verge of extinction.

An official warning has been issued by Cambodia’s Ministry of Environment in a last-ditch attempt to stop the public from touching the male genitalia-style plants. Nobody wants to live in a world without penis plants, but this nightmare may soon become a very stark reality.

Why are penis plants endangered?

The penis plant got its name from its obvious resemblance to male genitalia (Image: ViralPress)

Located in Cambodia, the plants have become something of an attraction for the nation. The public and tourists alike are picking them up and playing with them as soon as they see them, leading to Cambodia’s Ministry of Environment to get involved. The government department posted on Facebook: “What they are doing is wrong and they should not do it again in the future.

“Thank you for loving natural resources, but do not pick the flowers, or they will be ruined.” The plant started to become popular in 2009, though locals have been aware of its existence since the early 20th century. Some plant enthusiasts have been able to grow it outside of Cambodia, even in the UK.

What are penis plants?

Officially known as Nepenthes bokorensis, they bare an obvious resemblance to the very things that give them their nickname – penis plants. They have a long shaft-like tube that is used to lure in insects.

The top of the plant is curved, making it almost impossible for trapped bugs to escape their phallic hell. They are known as pitcher plants because they lure the insects in through sweet-smelling nectar.

Speaking to Live Science, François Mey, a botanical illustrator who first described the species, said: “When you smell a bokorensis pitcher, it smells sweet – just like a candy.”

Due to their clear comparisons to dudes’ disco sticks, it’s become popular to pick them up and play with them. As fun as this may seem, it’s killing them off rapidly and it’s time to stop touching them.