Desert plants such as the cactus may not be the prettiest to look at, but they are no less fascinating and are the stars of a new pavilion unveiled today at Gardens by the Bay.

The Sun Pavillion, which houses more than 1,000 desert plants from countries such as Madagascar, Mexico and Argentina, is the latest addition to the Gardens.

The 800 sq m garden features plants such as the Brain Cactus, which grow sideways instead of upwards, to form the shape of the human brain.

With the addition, the Gardens now owns one of the largest cacti and succulent plant collections in Southeast Asia, comprising of some 100 different species and varieties of desert plants. "The Sun Pavilion presents an unusual group of plants that may not be the most visually appealing in the conventional sense, but are no less fascinating,"said Dr Kiat W. Tan, chief executive officer of Gardens by the Bay.

The pavilion is located outdoors in an environment similar to those of the plants' original dryland habitats, allowing desert plants to thrive. It is sponsored by Woh Hup (Private) Limited, a private construction and civil engineering specialist.