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Rafflesia - the largest flower in the world

Rafflesia - the largest flower in the world


 
 Rafflesia is a unique flower, first officially found and registered in 1818 in the tropical forests of Indonesia, during an expedition to the island of Sumatra.
   It was named after the leader of the expedition, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles. The plant received the second part of the name thanks to Dr. Joseph Arnold, who worked on this expedition.
Since then, Rafflesia Arnoldi has been considered the largest flower in the world.
 
  In fairness, it should be said that the plant was discovered by Western scientists a little earlier. It was first discovered in 1979 by the French naturalist Louis Deschamps, who was a member of an expedition in the Pacific-Asian region and explored the island of Java. But on the way home, his ship was captured and all of Deschamps' notes and drawings were seized. The public became aware of these papers only in 1954.

   At the moment, 55 species of this plant are known. But who knows, maybe that's not all. After all, the last of the currently known species was discovered only in 2004! 
 
  This unique plant, this flower is, in the literal sense, a flower (sorry for the tautology). It has neither full-fledged roots, nor a stem, nor leaves. And, consequently, there is no way to carry out photosynthesis and there is no way to synthesize organic substances so necessary for the plant.
  Therefore, this flower is a parasite. It feeds on host plants to which it "attaches". Although, it should be noted, it does not cause much harm to them.
 flower biggest photo
 
Although sometimes Rafflesia is also called the “corpse lily” (has a specific smell) or “lotus flower” (translated from Indonesian), it does not look like one or the other.
  Rafflesia is a huge red flower with five large thick petals (up to 3 cm thick) and white spots on them.  
Rafflesia can measure up to 60-100cm in diameter (recorded maximum size is 106.7cm). And this flower weighs 8-10 kg.

the largest flower in the world rafflesia photo
 
  Rafflesia habitats are the islands of Borneo (Kalimantan), Sumatra, Java. Rafflesia can also be seen in certain places in Thailand and the Philippines. Despite the relatively vast territory, seeing a flower is a rarity.
  The period of maturation and growth of rafflesia is about 9 months. But it blooms only 5-7 days! And you will be very lucky if you find yourself, as they say, in the right place at the right time.
 
 rafflesia arnoldi photo

  Rafflesia, this unique representative of the flora, is currently under threat of extinction. First of all, this is due to the deforestation of tropical forests, where she finds her refuge.
  Secondly, the period of maturation and development of the flower itself is long and complex.
 
Having a bright scarlet coloring and a specific smell, Rafflesia attracts insects that pollinate it. After the appearance of the ovary within 7 months, the fruit ripens, in which there are 2-4 million seeds.
 
rafflesia reproduction photo

  After the fruit is crushed (for example, by large animals), the seeds are carried through the forest again by animals or insects. Of the millions of seeds, only a few take root!
  After the rafflesia seed enters its habitat, it puts threads-roots into the stem of the “host” plant and begins to gradually feed on it. The kidney is formed only after 2-3 years! In turn, the kidney turns into a bud, ripening for another 9 months.
  That is, the plant needs about 4 years for the flower to live only 5-7 days!
 
rafflesia photo of the largest flowers in the world

It is not surprising that measures are now being taken to preserve this exotic representative of the flora.
Periodically, attempts are made to grow a flower artificially. Several such attempts in Indonesia have even been successful. But no more. By and large, at the moment, rafflesia reproduces in a natural way, going through a long development path of several years to appear for several days.
 
Therefore, seeing a blooming rafflesia for a tourist is a great success!

For example, in Sabah, Malaysia, in the state of Sabah, Malaysia, even in the Kinabalu Park, where there is a Rafflesia Garden, there are periods when there is nothing to see there, since there are no flowering rafflesias. But in addition to park areas, there are also so-called "wild places".
 
rafflesia where the picture grows

So in one of the villages in the area of ​​Mount Kinabalu (Sabah, Malaysia), where rafflesia grew, the locals created their own "park" and for a fee (30 Malaysian ringgit ≈ $ 7.5) show this wonderful "scarlet flower" to tourists.
 
when can you see rafflesia

And if you ask where you can see rafflesia, they will tell you the place. Interestingly, it always indicates what day of flowering is at the moment.
 where does rafflesia grow photo
 
In the state of Sabah, Malaysia, the rafflesia is officially recognized as the national flower.
rafflesia rafflesia photo
 
 
Have a nice holiday!

 
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