THE WORLD'S LARGEST FLOWER

World's largest flower

Did you know Rafflesia arnoldi is the largest flower in the world?

If yes, congratulations! If no, welcome to a new fact of flowers.

Rafflesia arnoldi, the world's largest flower grows only on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. It weighs up to 7 kg and has a diameter of about 1 meter in full bloom. It takes the bud up to 8 months to mature and stays in bloom up to 15 days, during the month of September till December.

There are 17 Rafflesia species found throughout Southeast Asia, mainly in Sumatra, Borneo and Sabah, Malaysia. The species is named after the naturalist Sir Stamford Raffles, who founded the British colony of Singapore in 1819. The Rafflesia arnoldi is named after Raffles and his friend Dr Joseph Arnold who discovered the parasitic plant during their travels in May1818.

Although Rafflesia arnoldi may be facinating and beautiful, it is also called "corpse flower" since it has a strong unpleasent smell that attract flies for pollination.

Rafflesia generates ecotourism: thousands of people go to Sabah, Borneo and Sumatra annually hoping to see Rafflesia blooms.