Rafflesia Tuan-Mudae photo by Michael Lo

Posted 4 dec 2007

The largest flower - Rafflesia


Rafflesia is the largest flower on earth. It can be found in tropical rainforest of Southeast Asia. There are 9 species of Rafflesia in Borneo island:

(1) R. arnoldii
(2) R. borneensis
(3) R. ciliata
(4) R. hasseltii
(5) R. keithii
(6) R. pricei
(7) R. tengku-adlinii
(8) R. tuan-mudae
(9) R. witkampii

The Rafflesia which I photographed is Rafflesia tuan-mudae which is named after Charles Brooke of Sarawak. Charles Brooke was the tuan muda of Sarawak before he became the Rajah (King) of Sarawak, long time ago.

Rafflesia is a parasite which grow on the vines of Tetrastigma.


2 buds on the ground:


The flower bud on the vine; above the ground:




















http://www.ibanorum.netfirms.com/rafflesia2007.htm

Scene of Rafflesia Tuan Mudae Blooming

A bud of Rafflesia tuan-mudae one day before blooming


Rafflesia tuan-mudae flower starting to bloom, taken at 11pm


Rafflesia tuan-mudae flower starting to bloom, taken at 3am


Rafflesia tuan-mudae flower starting to bloom, taken at 9am


Rafflesia tuan-mudae


Rafflesia tuan-mudae flower


Rafflesia tuan-mudae flower in bloom


Rafflesia tuan-mudae in lowland rainforest


Rafflesia tuan-mudae flower starting to wilt


A dead flower of Rafflesia tuan-mudae


Rafflesia Tuan Mudae from Sarawak Malaysia
http://www.biolib.cz/en/taxonimage/id2276/?taxonid=62954