The biggest flower in the world recently bloomed, but sadly, it withered away just a week later. A vibrant red Rafflesia Tuan-Mudae blossomed in the lush Indonesian rainforest. Known for its putrid scent resembling rotting human flesh, this giant flower measured over three feet in diameter (117cm), making it one of the largest flowers on Earth.
As per the information from local sources, the blooming flower is just one of the five flowers that are anticipated to blossom soon.
Researchers recorded the size of a massive Rafflesia Tuan-Mudae flower found in the forests of the nature reserve in Marambuang Nagarai Barini village located in West Sumatra, Indonesia. The flower measured an impressive 46 inches (117cm) in width, making it the largest of its kind ever documented.
Rafflesia plants belong to a unique group known for their pungent odor resembling rotting flesh, a scent that lures flies and carrion beetles to aid in pollination.
This unique plant is a type of parasitic species that only blooms for a short period of time, usually just a few days. The foul odor it emits attracts flies, which help to pollinate the flower during its brief lifespan.
There are other plants within the same genus that can grow even larger, with one particular plant, the Rafflesia Arnoldii, serving as inspiration for the Pokémon character Vileplume.
According to Ade Putra from the Indonesia conservation board, “For this species, the diameter is quite significant. In 2017, we came across a flower with a diameter of 107cm.” The diameter of this particular flower is reportedly the largest among the 31 known species of Rafflesia flowers in the world.
