Rafflesia

Description
Scientific Names: Rafflesia
Common Names: Corpse Flower, Meat Flower

Plant Type: Giant flower.
Plant Size: 12-100 cm in diameter.
Native Habitat: Rafflesia is found in tropical rain forest area of southeastern Asia.
Native Range: All found in southeastern Asia, on the Malay Peninsula, Borneo, Sumatra, Thailand and the Philippines.
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.
Related Species:

•         Rafflesia arnoldii
•         Rafflesia aurantia
•         Rafflesia azlanii
•         Rafflesia baletei
•         Rafflesia bengkuluensis
•         Rafflesia cantleyi
•         Rafflesia gadutensis
•         Rafflesia hasseltii
•         Rafflesia keithii
•         Rafflesia kerrii
•         Rafflesia leonardi
•         Rafflesia lobata
•         Rafflesia manillana
•         Rafflesia micropylora
•         Rafflesia mira
•         Rafflesia patma
•         Rafflesia philippensis
•         Rafflesia pricei
•         Rafflesia rochussenii
•         Rafflesia schadenbergiana
•         Rafflesia speciosa
•         Rafflesia tengku-adlinii
•         Rafflesia tuan-mudae
•         Rafflesia verrucosa

Unverified Species :

•         Rafflesia borneensis
•         Rafflesia ciliata
•         Rafflesia titan
•         Rafflesia witkampii  

Rafflesia is a genus of parasitic flowering plants. It contains approximately 28 species, all found in southeastern Asia, on the Malay Peninsula, Borneo, Sumatra, Thailand and the Philippines. Rafflesia was found in the Indonesian rain forest by an Indonesian guide working for Dr. Joseph Arnold in 1818, and named after Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, the leader of the expedition.

The plant has no stems, leaves or true roots.  In some species, such as Rafflesia arnoldii, the flower may be over 100 cm (39 inch) in diameter, and weigh up to 10 kg (22 lb). Even the smallest species, Rafflesia baletei has 12 cm diameter flowers. The flowers look and smell like rotting flesh, hence its local names which translate to Corpse Flower or Meat Flower. The vile smell attracts insects such as flies, which transport pollen from male to female flowers.

Most species have separate male and female flowers, but a few have bisexual flowers. Little is known about seed dispersal. However, tree shrews and other forest mammals apparently eat the fruits and disperse the seeds. Rafflesia is an official state flower of Indonesia, also Sabah state in Malaysia, as well as for the Surat Thani Province, Thailand.