Skip to main content
Today is National Trails Day!
Close

Rafflesia

Rafflesia keithii

Photo by Dan Doucette
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

6.07454, 116.563

Field Notes

Description:

large parasitic bloom, almost 24" in diameter

Habitat:

mountainous rainforest

Notes:

spotted this at the base of Kinabalu Mountain. it just opened that day and I could smell the stench of rotten flesh before I could even see the flower

Reference Links:

Rafflesia

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (9)
Dan Doucette
It does sound simple. I had a friend in Jakarta. She sent me photos of R. patma that was successfully propagated there. A Rafflesia would be a great draw for a Botanical Garden. I have yet to see A. titanum flowering in the wild and you're right, can't beat a huge smelly thing! Hahaha!
craigwilliams
Yeah, I only heard it had been done successfully in Malaysia but I wouldn't be surprised if they've succeeded in Indonesia too as it sounds quite simple. They just graft a piece of infected Tetrastigma into a new host & bingo! I'm sure every Botanic Garden in the world with a hothouse wants a piece of that action. Imagine the crowds it would draw?! When Amorphophallus titanum flowered for the first time in years at Kew, folk were queuing round the block to see it. You can't beat a huge smelly thing!
Dan Doucette
Thanks Craig. No I didn't know that. Do you know where they are doing it and with what species? I only heard of it a few times in Malaysia and Indonesia.
craigwilliams
Lucky, lucky you! Best use for Tetrastigma I know of ;) Did you know that they've managed to prop. Rafflesia?

Spotted for Missions

Mission
The Color Red

Tags

Photographed
PublishedApril 13, 2011

Community Sponsor

Butterfly
Become a Community Sponsor and Help Grow our Global Movement!

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Butterflies icon
Become a Community Sponsor

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon

Nature & Conservation Organizations

Brands & Mission-Focused Companies