Rafflesia is a giant flower, the largest in the whole world. The plant gained its fame not only due to its huge size, but also due to the specific putrefactive aroma that it spreads around itself. Due to him, the flower received an additional name - the dead lotus.
Rafflesia Discovery History
Rafflesia was officially discovered in 1818. The flower was found in the tropics of Indonesia, on the island of Sumatra. The expedition, which the plant discovered, was led by Sir S. Ruffles. The unusual flower was first seen by the conductor, assistant naturalist D. Arnold. The instance that was found was striking in its enormous size. Moreover, the flower did not have a stem and roots. The found plant got its name according to the names of the expedition leader and naturalist doctor.
Areola spread
Rafflesia has more than thirty different species. This plant is found only in Southeast Asia. Arnoldi Rafflesia Flower grows only on the islands of Sumatra and Kalimantan. All other species are in Java, the Philippines, and Malacca. Giant flowers grow only in the jungle, but due to their massive deforestation, plants can soon completely disappear from our planet.
Flower description
The largest flower is rafflesia. It belongs to parasitic species. The flower has no stem and leaves, and is mounted on suction cups. They are inside the plant. With the help of suction cups, rafflesia provides itself with essential nutrients for life.
The only part of the plant that is visible is the flower. It sprouts through the bark. The flower grows from 60 to 100 centimeters in diameter, weighs up to eight kilograms. Color - brownish-reddish, with large white spots. The size of the flowers depends on the type of plant.
For example, the weight of arnoldi rafflesia can be up to ten kilograms, and the diameter of the bud opened up to a meter. At Patma, it is much smaller - only thirty centimeters. The diameter of the colors of rafflesia rhizanthes and sapria varies between 10-20 cm.
Rafflesia is a flower that has five fleshy petals three centimeters thick each, which are attached to the core in the form of a bowl. At its center is a column (or column) expanding upward. There is a disc covered with spikes.
Flower propagation
Rafflesia has fruits resembling huge berries, which contain many seeds (up to four million). Of course, they are inedible, and it is easy to poison them. The plant cannot reproduce on its own. He is helped by insects and animals. They step on the fruit and spread the seeds through the jungle. Insects are attracted by the bright color and smell. When moving, their legs fall into the furrow, and the seeds are glued with sticky pollen. But even out of a million spores, only dozens sprout.
Bloom
The victims of the plant are mainly trees whose stems or roots are damaged. At the same time, they are not harmed. Rafflesia is a giant flower, but grows slowly. The place to which the plant has sucked begins to swell a year later. This period may be eighteen months. A full-fledged bud appears after about 2-3 years.
Rafflesia is pollinated mainly by flies. They are attracted by the putrid smell emanating from the flower. The plant itself lives a long time. The bud can ripen within three years, and a few more months are required for the flower to open. His life after the opening of the bud lasts only a few days. Then the flower begins to rot gradually, turning into a black shapeless mass.
After the completion of the process, a new ovary forms. It develops within seven months. Then, at the place of the ovary, a small fruit appears, similar to a huge berry. It contains very small seeds the size of a poppy seed.
Using Rafflesia
Rafflesia flower, a photo of which is in this article, is used in folk medicine. The plant is used to recover from childbirth. Also, flowers are used as an aphrodisiac. The properties that are attributed to him have no scientific confirmation.
Interesting Facts
Residents of the islands of the Philippines and Indonesia are convinced that rafflesia (giant flower) contributes to the return of potency. Women after childbirth to return a slim figure make an extract from the buds of the plant. The same tool has long been used by aborigines as a hemostatic natural drug.
In Malaysia, there is a nature reserve park where rafflesia is specially grown. And in many varieties. To constantly attract tourists, the timing of the opening of rafflesia buds is selected so that at the height of the season you can admire the magnificent giant flower. Of course, this increases the interest of tourists in this country.
Rafflesia has a competitor - titanic amorphophallus. It has the highest inflorescence. The plant produces an unpleasant odor, and the width of the flowers is as close as possible to the size of rafflesia.