Taking its name from British colonialist Sir Stamford Raffles, the bloom’s discovery is credited to Dr Joseph Arnold during an 1818 expedition in an Indonesian rainforest. The total number of Rafflesia species is debated, but most scientists agree on 24, three of which are already extinct.
Physical Characteristics
A warm and humid climate of tropical rainforests is ideal for the growth of the Rafflesia plant, and it can be found at altitudes of between 500 and 700 meters in the forests of the Malay Peninsula, Borneo, Sumatra, Java and the Philippines.
The Rafflesia is not known as the biggest flower in the world for idle reason – their sizes range from that of a dinner plate to a car tyre. The largest of the species, Rafflesia keithii, grows up to 80 cm in diameter and can weigh up to 9 kilograms. The five-petalled bloom, coloured red, pink or orange depending on the species, is visible for just a few days, before turning black and rotting away.
Plants of the Rafflesia genus are complete parasites, having no stems, leaves or roots of their own. Rafflesia plants appear to be sitting on the forest floor akin to gigantic spotted mushrooms. Being unable to produce chlorophyll, it is totally dependent on its host the Tetrastigma vine for nutrients.
Its moniker of “corpse flower” is also fully deserved, for its blooms give off a stench of rotting meat, which can cause even the most seasoned of explorers to throw up. However, not all varieties of Rafflesia have this distinctive scent, and they have to be in full bloom to emit this scent.
Pollination and Seed Distribution
While disgusting to humans, the smell of the Rafflesia does attract carrion flies and animals – which is crucial for the plant’s survival. Dubbed “the giant panda of the plant world” for its rarity and difficulty in reproducing, pollination is thought to be a rare occurrence due to several factors.
Firstly, the flowers are usually found only in proximity to same-sex plants. Hence, for successful pollination, the insects would have to visit both male and female plants which are frequently far away each other, and also not necessarily mature at the same time. To complicate matters, the flowers are in bloom for less than a week, leaving a narrow window of opportunity for pollination.
Besides insects, the Rafflesia also depends on small animals like squirrels and tree shrews for reproduction. It produces fruit which is round and about 15cm in diameter, filled with smooth flesh containing gallons of nectar and thousands of tiny hard coated seeds. This fruit attracts animals, which aid in distributing the seeds.
Threat of Extinction and Conservation
Currently, all species of the Rafflesia are currently under threat of extinction due to deforestation and harvesting for local medicine. However, countries such as Malaysia has enacted laws in certain states, including Sarawak, classifying it as a “totally protected plant” which prevents any activity which may endanger its survival. They are also safeguarded in national parks by conservation groups, and indigenous tribes who are being trained to become custodians of this rare flower.
Cheryn Tan - Contradiction is a theme inherent in human life that has always fascinated me. Take, for example, the fact that I am a passionate lover of ...
