Rafflesia Arnoldi

Rafflesia Arnoldi (Rafflesia Arnoldii) is a kind of parasitic plant that grows on vines network Tetrastigma. The plant produce no roots, leaves and stem. The only part of Rafflesia that able to identify as distinctly plant-like are the flowers. It does not have leaves, stems and roots therefore the plant can not do photosynthesis process itself. The flowers obtain water or nutrients from its host cells. Although it lacks of roots, leaves and stems, yet it still consider as a vascular plant.

Rafflesia Arnoldi is member of the genus Rafflesia. The flower have five strands with reddish-brown color. When in bloom, its diameter of around one meter and weighs around 11 kilograms. With size like that makes Rafflesia Arnoldi noted as the largest flower on the earth. This plant is very difficult to grow unless in the host plant. It Usually grow in the primary (undisturbed) forests. The plant is endemic to Sumatra that can only be found in Bengkulu region. Even if found elsewhere the possibility are other types of Rafflesia.

This giant flower was discovered in 1818 in the rain forest in South Bengkulu region by a local guide who worked for Dr. Joseph Arnold, who at that time was following the expedition with British Governor General in Indonesia Thomas Stanford Raffles. Then the naming flowers put Raffles name as head of the expedition, and Arnold as the inventor. Since the discovery of Rafflesia Arnoldi, Bengkulu is known as the land of Rafflesia.

Unfortunately this amazing flower age is not long only about 5-7 days. Then wither and die.The rare flower’s buds take almost one year to develop but last only just few days.  

When the flowers bloom it has strong odor of decaying flesh. Apparently odors is useful to attract insect like flies and beetles. Flies and/or beetles are the flowers pollinator. Hope the insect visit more often to help fertilize the Rafflesia Arnoldi flowers, so more often seen its blooming.

In the year 1991, by the Decree of  President Republic of Indonesia, set 3 “rare’ flowers (Indonesia: Puspa Langka) Rafflesia Arnoldi and two others are White Jasmine and Moon Orchid.
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