Rafflesia - The largest flower

Six petal Rafflesia

Just about the other day, a few friends and I went on a day trip to Hot Spring Poring in Ranau. We were so lucky that there were 2 blooming Rafflesia about 1 KM before the Hot Spring. All of us decided to go down and have a look at it as some of our friends has not seen it before.

Rafflesia is a genus of parasitic flowering plants. Which can only be found in southeastern Asia, in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines. It has no stems, leaves or true roots. The flower could grow up to 100cm or more and weight up to 10kg. Rafflesia is known as a five-petalled flower. But, the one we saw has 6 petal and the other has 7.

Seven petal Rafflesia

We were told it was rare to have so many petal for a Rafflesia and we were lucky to have seen it. Before it blooms, the flower bud looks more or less like a cabbage.

For this one it takes about a year or so to bloom

This takes about 5-7 months

If you do visit Sabah Borneo do take the opportunity to have a look at it.

Details : Kampung Poring