The Tanzanian plastic string tree, Psychotria megalopus. Specimen from Kigogo Forest, Tanzania, October 5th, 1984. (Drawing: Michael Stoltze, 1986).

Believe it or not: This rare tree species (up to 12 feet tall) is real! The Tanzanian plastic string tree (Psychotria megalopus) is found only in three small montane forests in Tanzania – Kigogo, Uluguru and Mahenge. The flower buds are “rappelling” using stems looking like plastic string from top to ground where the plant flower, is pollinatet and set fruits (small red berries). The small tree belong to plant family Rubiaceae.  It is related to Coffea. The strange tree was discovered and described as late as 1975 by the British botanist Bernard Verdcourt.