Find the world's largest flower Rafflesia Arnoldi

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Bengkulu Province - Finally we saw the Rafflesia in Bengkulu province
# Finally we saw the Rafflesia in
# Bengkulu province
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Rainforests of Bengkulu province are home to both the world's largest flower Rafflesia Arnoldi and the world's tallest flower, known locally as Kibut or bunga Bangkai (Amorphophalus Titanum). There are 16 species of Rafflesia, Rafflesia Arnoldi is the largest. Its flower attains a diameter of nearly a meter can weight up to 7 kg.

The Rafflesia Arnoldi which is known locally as "bunga Rafflesia" is one of the plants which are protected by law in Indonesia. It is a really rare and a unique plant. It lives as a parasite on the Tetra stigma vine, as its host. Its petals grow to 50 cm long and 2.5 cm thick. The unique of the Rafflesia is it has no observable root or stem, and no leaves. It is a parasitic plant since it has no chlorophyll and haustorium. Nutrients and water are obtained from host cell. This bizarre flower is pollinated by flies attracted by its scent. The buds take many months to develop. It stays in bloom up to 14 days and can be seen during wet season between August - November. This sensitive parasitic plant grows only once a year in primary undisturbed rainforest.

The Rafflesia Arnoldi was discovered by British Lieutenant which was appointed as Governor of Bencoolen (Bengkulu) Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles and British botanist Dr. Arnold in the year of their arrival (May 1818), in Lubuk Tapi – South Bengkulu, hence the plant’s botanical name. It is now known as the official symbol of Bengkulu province.

The Rafflesia, the world's largest flower is found in many areas in the forests of Bengkulu province, normally in Taba Penanjung (45 km or 28 miles from Bengkulu city center) on the slopes of the Bukit Barisan Mountains, the most accessible being close to the main road halfway between Bengkulu and Curup. The Rafflesia also might be found in several locations in Bengkulu province:
1.Pagar Gunung, Kepahiyang.
2.Talang Ulu, Curup, Rejang Lebong.
3.Suban hot spring, Curup, Rejang Lebong.
4.Taba Rena, Curup, Rejang Lebong.
5.Lubuk Tapi, South Bengkulu.