Rafflesia - is a creation of nature is the proud title of "the biggest flower in the world."However, this plant is surprising not only in size, but also its other qualities that have little to do with conventional ideas about colors.After all, the biggest flower is a bad, bright red plant, sometimes in excess of human growth.By the way, because of the foul smell Rafflesia is often called the corpse lily.Although the locals call this plant "lotus flower" ("bunga patma").You can see it in the tropical forests of Indonesia (Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan) and the Philippines.
its name the biggest flower in the world was named after T. Raffles officer and botanist D. Arnold.The discovery was made on the island of Sumatra.These pioneers have measured the flower, and gave him the name of the scientific description.
Surprisingly, but the biggest flower in the world is not able to synthesize the necessary part of it organic and mineral substances.Therefore called the plant, despite the size, a parasite on the vines.To do this, it produces a special thread into the tissue vines without bringing them under the slightest harm.We called the flower has no roots and green leaves.
growth Rafflesia - it is not too fast.The bark of the plant, which is held under the development of the flower-seed parasite swells in 1.5 years and 9 months later a red flower blossoms.Rafflesia is composed of 5 petals thick brick-red color with bright white growths that resemble warts.From afar, described the flower looks like a giant mushroom.However, it blooms only 4 days.By type Rafflesia resembles rotting meat, and has a putrid smell.Thus, the world's largest flower smell quickly than seeing.After a period of Rafflesia bloom for several weeks and can be expanded soon turns into a black shapeless mass.If it falls in the female flower pollen that begins development of the fetus, which contains thousands of seeds.
It Rafflesia unusual odor attracts flies, pollinate the flower.Getting on the flower disc flies wallow in it, gradually sinking lower and lower.The annular groove fine hairs flies direct to the stamens and poured it on the back of sticky pollen.Burden burdened insects sent to the female flowers, fertilizing their ovules.But after ripening plant need help large animal that can crush the fruit and seeds Rafflesia move to another location.It should be noted that the greatest blown flower worldwide in diameter may be 1 m and weighing about 8 kg.Furthermore, Rafflesia has the widest inflorescence.
Currently, scholars have identified 12 species of Rafflesia.The most famous among them are Rafflesia tuan muda and Rafflesia Arnoldi.The above species have very large flowers.Even Rafflesia CAD diameter reaches 15-20 cm. Interestingly, the Indonesians claim that an extract from a plant called the kidney contributes to the restoration of the figure after childbirth.As scientists, they recognize that the life of this unique flower is not yet fully understood.
