This flower, designated nationwide as rare and protected flower, has a diameter of 60 cm and five petals. Each part of the petals has small spots and large patches of white and light orange.
“Although the diameter of this one is less than 60 cm, it is definitely a species of Rafflesia arnoldi,” said Sofi. The plant is considered parasitic. There are only 33 species in the world, and 11 of them are endemic (native) to Indonesia.
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The flower was first discovered in 1818 in the Sumatran forest by a guide who worked for Joseph Arnold who was member of the Thomas Stanford Raffles expedition. That’s why the plant was named after the founders, Raffles and Arnold. (un)