The biggest flower in the world is Rafflesia arnoldii a very rare flower that can be found in the rainforests of Indonesia. It has the world’s largest bloom, that can grow up to 3 feet across and may weigh up to 15 pounds, has no visible leaves, roots or stem.
Rafflesia arnoldii is actually a parasite that attaches to a host plant for water and nutrients and while in bloom emits an odor similar to rotten meat. This is how it attracts insects that pollinate the plant.
The dramatic Rafflesia flowers are the largest single flowers in the world; the leathery petals can reach over 90 centimetres across. The Rafflesia plant is itself not visible until the reproduction stage when flowers first bud through the woody vine and then open into the magnificent spectacle that is world-renowned today.
The flowers can take up to 10 months to develop from the first visible bud to the open bloom, which may last no more than a few days. Species of Rafflesia are known from peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, southern Thailand, Borneo and southern Philippines.
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The flowers can take up to 10 months to develop from the first visible bud to the open bloom, which may last no more than a few days. Species of Rafflesia are known from peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, southern Thailand, Borneo and southern Philippines.
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Interesting indeed!
4 comments:
This is pretty amazing, Sophie.
Hello Altoon,
It was so astonishing i felt compelled to post! i love how the botanical world is is utterly extraordinary!
Sophie
Mmmmmm - the smell of rotten meat - just makes me want to run and give it a big ole sniff!!! :) Well, perhaps not - but even with a nose clamp on - that flower is pretty amazing! Shame there's no seed pods, 'coz they'd be pretty awesome too! Thanks for sharing and have a great week, x donna
exactly Donna...the mind boggles ... thinking what the seeds/pods would look like!
hope you're travelling well,
best,
Sophie
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