THESE amazing looking plants form the basis of a new project by explorer and naturalist Stewart McPherson.

The adventurer and filmmaker, who runs Hamworthy-based Redfern Natural History, is aiming the initiative at young people - to show them how to grow extraordinary plant species at home, safely and legally.

He has only recently completed a similar project, called 'Weird and Wonderful Pets', which includes 14 specially made films with downloadable information sheets, photos and an accompanying book.

The pet's programme encourages young people to get involved with nature, science and conservation.

On his latest 'World's Most Spectacular Plants and How to Grow them' project, Stewart explained: "It focuses on the most incredible, bizarre, interesting and unusual plants in the world, and explains how they can be grown at home, in the garden, greenhouse, windowsill or on the terrarium.

"From growing carnivorous plants, the world's smelliest plants, plants with sensitive leaves, the strangest fruit and vegetables, the most exquisite orchids, the idea is to make plants interesting and horticulture fun, especially for young people."

Stewart, who has launched an online fundraising kickstarter programme, wants to produce eight films, each 5-7 minutes long, targeted towards schools and young people.

So far, with around 50 days to go, almost £3,000 of the £8,000 target has been reached.

Stewart said: "The range of spectacular plants that can be grown at home is incredible, and should be really fun for young people.

"From blue potatoes, purple carrots, meat radishes, to giant amorphophallus flowers, dragon fruit, white pine berries, giant aristolochia flowers, stinky stapeliads, stone plants, exquisite orchids, bizarre cacti, iridescent plants and mysterious bonsai's, to name just a few."

The plant project, which will be free to watch, will include a series of web films, a website, downloadable information sheets and an accompanying book.

Last year, Stewart's television documentary series - Britain's Treasure Islands - which focused on the wildlife, culture and heritage of all UK Overseas Territories, was aired on BBC 4.

Shortly afterwards, 5,350 copies of his book, of the same title, were shipped to Britain's schools free of charge - made possible following a donation from businessman, philanthropist and mayor Tory donor Lord Michael Ashcroft.

In 2009 the Daily Echo reported how Stewart discovered giant pitcher plants, which he named after TV naturalist David Attenborough, in a remote mountain region in the central Philippines.

To back the 'Worlds Most Spectacular Plants' project visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1352171326/worlds-most-spectacular-plants-and-how-to-grow-the?ref=creator_nav

To see the promo video visit youtu.be/e0epOCHluxl

Meanwhile, visit www.weirdandwonderfulpets.com for information on Stewart's 'Weird and Wonderful Pets' project.