Rafflesia arnoldii

Description
Scientific Names: Rafflesia arnoldii
Common Names: Giant Padma, Rare Padma, Corpse Flower, Meat Flower

Plant Type: Giant flower.
Plant Size: 12-100 cm in diameter.
Native Habitat: Rafflesia arnoldii is found in tropical rain forests in Indonesia.
Native Range: Rafflesia arnoldii is found in tropical rain forests in southeast Asia, especially in the rainforests of Sumatra, Java and Borneo.
Conservation Status: How many of these plants still survive is unknown, but as the remaining primary forests of Borneo and Sumatra disappear, it can be assumed that their numbers are dwindling. Many are known to be nearing extinction. Some environmentalists are developing ways to recreate the species environment in an effort to stimulate their recovery. This has proved unsuccessful so far. Steps are also being taken to conserve the forests of Sumatra and Borneo. To help counter the over-collection of this rare plant, residents that have Rafflesia on their private property are encouraged to save the flowers and charge a small fee to see them.

Rafflesia arnoldii is a member of the genus Rafflesia. It is noted for producing the largest individual flower on earth, and a strong odor of decaying flesh - the latter point earning it the nickname of Corpse Flower or Meat Flower. It is an endemic plant that occurs only in the rainforests of Sumatra Island, Indonesia. Although there are some plants with larger flowering organs like the Titan Arum and Talipot palm, those are technically clusters of many flowers.

Rafflesia arnoldii is one of the three national flowers in Indonesia, the other two being the White jasmine and Moon orchid.  It was officially recognized as a national Rare Flower in Presidential Decree No. 4 in 1993. Several species of Rafflesia grow in the jungles of southeast Asia, including the Philippines. Many of them are threatened or endangered. The flower of Rafflesia arnoldii is the largest, growing to a diameter of around 1 m (3 ft) and weighing up to 11 kilograms (24 lb).

Rafflesia lacks any observable leaves, stems or even roots, yet is still considered a vascular plant. Similar to fungi, individuals grow as thread-like strands of tissue completely embedded within and in intimate contact with surrounding host cells from which nutrients and water are obtained. This plant produces no leaves, stems or roots and does not have chlorophyll. It can only be seen when it is ready to reproduce. Perhaps the only part of Rafflesia that is identifiable as distinctly plant-like are the flowers; although, even these are unusual since they attain massive proportions, have a reddish-brown coloration and stink of rotting flesh, which is why it was nicknamed the Corpse Flower. This scent attracts insects such as flies which then pollinate the rare plant. It is not to be confused with the Titan Arum, Amorphophallus titanum, which is also commonly referred to as the Corpse flower.