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1818 Rafflesia discovery largest flower
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1818 Rafflesia discovery largest flower
Rafflesia arnoldi. Hand tinted copperplate engraving from " Bilderbuch fur Kinder" BD XI, No 14, plate CLXXIII. c1820. The largest single flower in the world (the Titan Arum has the largest unbranched inflorescence, but not single flower in the botanical sense). It was discovered in 1818 by a party led by Sir Stamford Raffles. The plant is parasitic and so has no stems, leaves or true roots. It is an endoparasite of the Tetrastigma vines of the Malay Peninsula, Borneo, Sumatra, Thailand and the Philippines. It can weigh up to 10 kilograms and have a diameter of over a meter. The bad smelling corpse flowers attract flies and other insects for pollination. Most of the 28 species have seperate male and female flowers
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Media ID 6345413
© PAUL D STEWART/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Biggest Borneo Carrion Corpse Discovery Endoparasite Exotic Flies Giant Indonesia Jungle Large Largest Parasitic Pollination Rain Forest Rare Strange Raffles Rafflesia Wierd
EDITORS COMMENTS
This hand-tinted copperplate engraving from the early 19th century showcases the remarkable discovery of the Rafflesia arnoldi, also known as the largest flower in the world. Sir Stamford Raffles and his team stumbled upon this botanical wonder in 1818 during their expedition. The print, taken from "Bilderbuch fur Kinder". BD XI, No 14, plate CLXXIII circa 1820, beautifully captures the essence of this exotic plant. Unlike traditional flowers with stems and leaves, the Rafflesia is a parasitic species that thrives on Tetrastigma vines found across Southeast Asia. With no true roots or foliage to speak of, it relies solely on its host for survival. Weighing up to an astonishing ten kilograms and boasting a diameter exceeding one meter, this giant flower is truly a sight to behold. However impressive its size may be, what sets it apart is its pungent odor resembling rotting flesh. This unique characteristic attracts flies and other insects for pollination purposes. It's fascinating to note that while most of its twenty-eight species have separate male and female flowers, they all share this peculiar trait. Paul D. Stewart's artistry brings this rare botanical marvel to life through intricate illustration techniques. As you gaze at this print filled with vibrant colors and intricate details, let yourself be transported into the lush rainforests of Indonesia where such wonders can still be found today.
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