Rafflesia is a giant flower, the largest in the 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 - a dead lotus.
History of the discovery of Rafflesia
Rafflesia was officially discovered in 1818. The flower was found in the tropics of Indonesia, on the island of Sumatra. The expedition that discovered the plant was led by Sir S. Raffles. An unusual flower was first seen by a guide, an assistant to naturalist D. Arnold. The specimen 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 from 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. The rafflesia arnoldi flower grows only on the islands of Sumatra and Kalimantan. All other species are in Java, the Philippines and Malacca. Giant flowers are growingonly in the jungle, but due to their massive cutting down, plants may soon completely disappear from our planet.
Flower Description
The biggest flower is rafflesia. It belongs to the parasitic species. The flower does not have a stem and leaves, but is attached to the suction cups. They are inside the plant. With the help of suckers, Rafflesia provides itself with the nutrients necessary for life.
The only part of the plant that is visible is the flower. It grows through the bark. The flower grows from 60 to 100 centimeters in diameter, weighing up to eight kilograms. Color - brown-reddish, with large white spots. The size of the flowers depends on the type of plant.
For example, the weight of rafflesia arnoldi can be up to ten kilograms, and the diameter of the opened bud can be up to a meter. In Patma, it is much smaller - only thirty centimeters. The diameter of Rafflesia Rhizantes and Sapria flowers ranges from 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. In its center is a column (or column), expanding upwards. There is a disk covered with spikes.
Flower reproduction
Rafflesia has fruits resembling huge berries, which contain many seeds (up to four million). Of course, they are inedible, and it is easy to get poisoned by them. The plant cannot reproduce on its own. He is helped by insects and animals. They step on the fruits and spread the seeds throughout the jungle. Insects are attracted by brightcolor and smell. When moving, their paws fall into the furrow, and the seeds are glued with sticky pollen. But even out of a million spores, only dozens germinate.
Flowering
The victims of the plant are mainly trees that have damaged stems or roots. However, no harm is done to them. Rafflesia is a giant flower, but grows slowly. The place to which the plant has stuck begins to swell after a year. This period can be up to eighteen months. A full bud appears in 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 for a long time. The bud can mature for three years, and a few more months are required for the flower to open. His life after opening the bud lasts only a few days. Then the flower begins to gradually rot, turning into a black shapeless mass.
After the process is completed, a new ovary is formed. It develops within seven months. Then, at the site 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
The rafflesia flower, the photo of which is in this article, is used in folk medicine. The plant is used for recovery after childbirth. Flowers are also used as an aphrodisiac. The properties attributed to him have no scientific confirmation.
Interesting facts
Inhabitants of the islandsPhilippines 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 remedy has long been used by the natives as a hemostatic natural drug.
In Malaysia there is a park-reserve in which rafflesia is grown on purpose. And in many varieties. In order to constantly attract tourists, the timing of the opening of rafflesia buds is chosen 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 - amorphophallus titanic. It has the highest inflorescence. The plant emits an unpleasant odor, and the width of the flowers is as close as possible to Rafflesia in size.
