RAFFLESIARAFFLESIAThe Rafflesia flower (The Rafflesia flower (Rafflesia arnoldiRafflesia arnoldi) is ) is

the world's largest flower. the world's largest flower.

This giant bloom is found in This giant bloom is found in

rainforests of Indonesia. rainforests of Indonesia.

Locally, it is called the Locally, it is called the

"corpse flower." Rafflesia "corpse flower." Rafflesia

gives off a putrid smell gives off a putrid smell

that reminds people of that reminds people of

rotting meat (this odor rotting meat (this odor

attracts its pollenators, attracts its pollenators,

beetles and flies), hence beetles and flies), hence

its nickname. Rafflesia's its nickname. Rafflesia's

enormous flower is about 3 feet (1 m) across and enormous flower is about 3 feet (1 m) across and weighs about 20 pounds (9 kilograms). weighs about 20 pounds (9 kilograms).

The flower takes about a year to develop, The flower takes about a year to develop, then it blooms for about a week before then it blooms for about a week before dying. The flower has five wide orange dying. The flower has five wide orange petals (with pale dots) surrounding a petals (with pale dots) surrounding a spiked cup. Rafflesia has spiked cup. Rafflesia has no stem, no roots, no stem, no roots, and no leaves. The and no leaves. The flower is supported flower is supported by fungus-like tissue by fungus-like tissue that lives in another that lives in another plant - the plant - the Tetrastigma vine.Tetrastigma vine.