Rafflesia

Rafflesia is a genus of parasitic flowering plants in the family Rafflesiaceae, notable for producing some of the largest flowers in the world.

Rafflesia lacks true leaves, stems, or roots. The visible plant is the flower, a holoparasite that emerges from a subterranean network feeding on vines of the genus Tetrastigma in tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia. The vegetative body remains mostly hidden within the host, while the bloom rises above ground.

The best known member is Rafflesia arnoldii, which can reach up to about 1 meter in diameter. Other species produce smaller blooms. Flowers are typically reddish-brown with pale spots and have a multi-lobed, petal-like perianth surrounding a central structure containing the reproductive organs.

The plant’s life cycle is tied to its host; seeds germinate on the host vine and form a haustorial connection that invades host tissues to obtain water and nutrients. After years of development, a single flower emerges and, if successfully pollinated, produces seeds that must reach suitable host vines to form new parasitic units. Pollination is primarily by carrion flies attracted to the odor of rotting flesh emitted by the bloom.

Rafflesia is named after Sir Stamford Raffles, with the genus first described in 1818. Conservation concerns are significant: many species are threatened by habitat loss and collection. The genus comprises numerous described species distributed across Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and surrounding regions, where researchers and local communities monitor blooming events and promote habitat preservation.