Rafflesia is the largest flower in the natural world. The flower which reaches a diameter of nearly 1 meter can weigh 11 kgs. It is found in the forests of South East Asia in Sumatra, Borneo and Malaysia. Destruction of Habitat and illegal harvesting of this rare plant have greatly endangered this fascinating plant speciesRafflesia is a parasite i.e. it lives on other plants. The plant lives on the Tetrastigma vine.
The Rafflesia plant, though, does not have any identifiable plant features such as leaves, stem and roots. Besides, unlike ordinary plants, it does not contain chlorophyll, the pigment necessary for photosynthesis. Rafflesia grows on its hosts. The flower originates in a bud which emerges from the host plant.
The Rafflesia flower emits a foul smell that resembles rotting flesh. For this reason, it is also known as the corpse flower. The pungent smell attracts flies which feed on dead flesh. These insects pollinate the flowers.
Rafflesia has become a big driver for eco-tourism in South East Asia as hordes of tourists visit to look at this wonder of nature. Efforts are on to conserve this rare flower and preserve its environment.
Useful links : http://rafflesia-in-bloom.blogspot.com/
images source: http://www.earlham.edu
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