The Rafflesia is The World’s Largest Flower

Posted by adenna on Thursday, April 18, 2013 0

The Rafflesia is the world’s largest flower, but you will not find it at your local florist shop. This bloom istoo large and too smelly to be included in any bouquet. It grows to be about a yard wide, and it smells like rotting meat. The horrid odor helps this rare plant to survive. The stench draws flies, which in turn pollinate the Rafflesia. This is how the Rafflesia reproduces itself.

Rafflesias do not have stems, roots, or leaves. They do not produce chlorophyll. Rafflesias are parasites that attach themselves to vines. The vines serve as host plants which provide the Rafflesia with all its nutritional requirements. 

Today the Rafflesia is in danger of becoming extinct. Loggers damage the flowers when they cut down trees. Tourists who come to observe the Rafflesia and other jungle wonders, carelessly trample the blooms and crush the vines on which they grow. Many people are working together to make sure this extraordinary flower is around for future generations to admire.

Stinky Parasite

The Rafflesia is a parasite.

It doesn’t sting; it doesn’t bite.

Instead it smells like rotten meat

or dirty, grubby, sweaty feet.

It’s putrid smell entices flies

into a bloom of giant size

that’s wider than a traffic sign

and stuck onto a jungle vine.

The flies aren’t on its dinner plate;

instead, the insects pollinate.

And when they’re done, they’re free to go

to help more stinky blossoms grow.

Credit to: Lill Pluta

This Rafflesia Your Can See at Adenna Rafflesia Garden - http://adennarafflesia.blogspot.com