Weekly Endangered Species Report

By Anonymous -

The Rafflesia Flower

The Rafflesia Flower, or rafflesia arnoldii, is the largest discovered flower on the planet, with a whopping bloom of 106.7 centimeters diameter and a weight of about 11 kilograms. It's commonly red, but there are many types of it. It's almost on the brink of extinction, and it's relatively hard to locate. Unlike most plants, it actually has genders, meaning that it's even harder to reproduce. The ratio of male flowers to females is disproportionate, making it harder to continue to multiply.

It seems like everything is against this flower. It relies on parasitising only one sort of vine, and without it, it's dead. Deforestation also impacts it's chance for survival, since then the vines will be removed and it won't be able to live. It has to absorb nutrients, since it has no stem or roots, doesn't have chlorophyll, and depends on small threads that absorb nutrients. Almost no one has ever bothered to try and grow this plant.

Thankfully, it's not as hopeless as it sounds. There are efforts of creating research centers and laws to increase it's chances of survival. Although it seems hopeless, thanks to new studies and more informed people, this flower may as well be seen in the next generation.

Image result for rafflesia flower

Scientific Classification:
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Angiosperms
Class: Eudicots
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Rafflesiaceae
Genus: Rafflesia
Species: R. arnoldii

 Links-
Rafflesiaflower.com
Everyday Mysteries- What is the largest flower in the world?
Florapedia


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