#rafflesiaceae

[wenbochenphoto]

This fascinating holoparasitic plant belongs to the family Rafflesiaceae; its usual hosts are lianas such as Vitis and Tetrastigma spp., and its relatives (Rafflesia spp.) in Southeast Asia have the largest flowers in the world. Although not particularly large, it is exciting to see it in the mountains of southern Yunnan, China.

[vainaspaver]

Rafflesia tuan-mudae by cclborneo

[coffeenuts]

Rafflesia arnoldii by Arddu https://flic.kr/p/2ou4ZPL

[colorsoutofearth]

Rafflesia (Rafflesia tengku-adlinii) flower - Nick Garbutt

[gamosepalous-5lobed]

NEW RAFFLESIA( R. CONSUELOAE !

Hello friends/followers,  

I don’t know if anyone has posted about this yet, and I know it’s not Apocynaceae; but, I am always going to be stoked about fetid plants. 

Please have a wee look and read this: 

http://www.sci-news.com/biology/rafflesia-consueloae-new-species-03663.html

[wenbochenphoto]

It took three trips to photograph this stinky but absolutely amazing parasitic plant: Rhizanthes infanticida. It has a similar lifestyle as its cousin Rafflesia, in fact, they grow next to each other in this forest in West Sumatra.

[coffeenuts]

Rafflesia arnoldii by Arddu https://flic.kr/p/2c9L7AH

[dendroica]

University of the Philippines biologists discover “the smallest among giant flowers”

A new species of Rafflesia, with an average diameter of 9.73 centimeters has been discovered by a team of UP biologists near the Pantabangan Masiway Hydroelectric Power Plant (PMHEP) in Nueva Ecjia. This amazing new discovery now holds the world record of being the smallest among giant flowers. Named Rafflesia consueloae, this new species has been published in the open access journal Phytokeys last 25 February 2016. The Rafflesia consueloae is found only in the Philippines and so far thrives in only two sites in the Pantabangan watershed area. The Rafflesia is a parasitic plant which can reach up to 1.5 meters in diameter. As such, the world’s largest flowers naturally belong to Rafflesia.

The new species has been classified as Critically Endangered, based on IUCN’s (International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) criterion of a species having less than 100 km2 of extent of occurrence with its two small populations. The continued protection of this species is important as it is part of the biodiversity of the area. The survival of this species is threatened by wildlife hunting and forest fires during the dry season.

[journal link]