Rafflesia arnoldii R. Br.
The Biggest Flower of the World
The stinking corpse lily is native to Borneo and Sumatra, usually living as a parasite on climbing vines of the family Vitaceae and lacking obvious organs like roots, stems and leaves. Like the lifestyle of fungi, it absorbs water and nutrients from the host and can only been seen in blossom. During the flowering stage, its flower buds sprout from the underground tree vines of the family Vitaceae and gradually grow like brown cabbages. Within a few days, it would bloom. It is now the largest flower ever recorded, with a single flower reaching a diameter of 100 cm that may weigh 11 kg. In blossom, the flowers emit a rotten smell, attracting scavenging insects as pollinators.
This specimen was collected from the Sumatra Island, Indonesia, which after color retention treatment is suitable for collection and display with a vivid appearance like its original life in its native tropical rainforest.