The biggest flower in the world
Rafflesia arnoldii belongs to genus Rafflesia, is known for producing the largest individual flower on earth. The flower of Rafflesia arnoldii can attain a diameter of nearly one meter (3 ft) and can weigh up to 11 kilograms.This flower is mostly seen in rain forests of Sumatra and Borneo. These plants are quite rare to find these days and are critically endangered. The flowers are unisexual and thus proximity of male and female flowers is vital for successful pollination. These factors make successful pollination a rare event.
Caption: Rafflesia flower and buds
The plant which bears the largest unbranched inflorescence in the world is “titan arum or Amorphophallus titanum”. Due to its fragrance, which is reminiscent of the smell of a decomposing mammal, the titan arum is also known as a carrion flower, the “Corpse flower”, or “Corpse plant”. The titan arum’s inflorescence can reach over 3 metres (10 ft) in circumference.
Both male and female flowers grow in the same inflorescence. The female flowers open first, then a day or two following, the male flowers open. This prevents the flower from self-pollinating. The popular name titan arum was invented by the broadcaster and naturalist Sir David Attenborough, for his BBC TV series The Private Life of Plants, in which the flowering and pollination of the plant were filmed for the first time.
Caption : Picture on to ur right is of Titan arum
Source for text and Image : Wikipedia and wikimedia commons
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