Rafflesia kerrii Meijer
Scientific Name
Rafflesia kerrii Meijer
Scientific Classification
Family: Rafflesiaceae
Genus: Rafflesia
Flower
Color: Red
Bloom Time: During the dry season
Description
Rafflesia kerrii is a parasite to the wild grapes of the genus Tetrastigma, but only the flowers are visible. Small buds appear along the trunk and roots of the host, which after nine months, open the giant flowers. After just one week, the flower dies. It seems to be flowering seasonally, as flowers are only reported during the dry season, from January to March, and more rarely till July. The red flowers are up to 3 feet (90 cm) and smell awfully of rotten meat to attract flies for pollination.
How to Grow and Care
The Rafflesia is in danger of extinction as the rainforest is burned and cleared for crop production and urban growth. The buds are also harvested and sold because locals believe they have medicinal properties if consumed. The plant has never been cultivated in captivity, and it only grows on the tetrastigma vine, so its survival is seriously threatened.
Pollination is rare because most locations contain only male flowers or female flowers. For pollination to occur, the fly must land on the male flower and then take the pollen to the female flower. If pollination occurs, the flower produces a globular, smooth-skinned fruit measuring up to 5 inches (13 cm) in diameter. It contains thousands of seeds. Birds and squirrels enjoy eating the fruit and help to spread the Rafflesia seeds through their eliminations.
See more at Rafflesia: The World’s Largest Bloom.
Origin
This species is native to the rainforest of southern Thailand and peninsular Malaysia, with the most famous population in the Khao Sok National Park.
Links
– Back to genus Rafflesia
– Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin
Bua Phut, Bua Sawan, Bua Tum, flowers of Surat Thani Province Amazing flowers, hard to find
Surat Thani Province is an ancient city that has existed since prehistoric times. With an approximate area of 12,891 square kilometers (8,056,875 rai), it is the largest province in the southern region. It is the sixth largest in the country. The geography is diverse, ranging from islands of various sizes in the Gulf of Thailand, mountains, plateaus, coastal plains and river basins. There is an important river. Tapi River and Chaiya River It has a coastline approximately 156 kilometers long. It is one of the most important tourist provinces in the country because of its beautiful nature. And there is the provincial flower, the Bua Phut (Heavenly Bua, Bua Tum or Hermit’s Kratho), a miraculous flower that is hard to find.
Bua Phut flowers Or as people in the south often call it, have a common name: Sapria Himalayana and a scientific name: Sapria himalayana Griff. It is found in evergreen forests from the Malay Peninsula down. and in Thailand it is found at Khao Sok National Park, Phanom District, Surat Thani Province. The water lily is a parasitic plant that relies on sap from the roots of aquatic vines. The Nam Khao Group, or Som Kung, has no trunk, no leaves, only large red and yellow flowers, about 10 centimeters, emerging from the soil. It is the largest flower in the world and has a very foul smell. It looks like a large pot with thick petals. It has an approximate diameter of 50 – 100 centimeters. Inside the flower there is a flat plate like a plate. The top has a spike-like button. On the bottom is a plate of stamens and ovaries. At the base of the flower there are yellowish-brown petals arranged intricately. When the flowers are still fresh, the Bua Phut flower weighs approximately 10 kilograms. The petals are from 0.5-1 centimeter thick. It takes more than 9 months to grow, and the Bua Phut flower blooms for only 4-5 days, then gradually fades. Black and rotten.
The water lily found in Thailand was named a world species in 1984 by Dr. W. Meijer from the University of Kentucky, USA, who named the international botanical in honor of the Chinese doctor. Rhys Dr.A.F.G.Kerr People surveyed this type of plant for the first time in 1929. From the results of the survey and research of the Botany Division, Maintenance Division, Royal Forest Department, it was found that a new species of Bua Phut was found in Thailand. It is a parasitic plant that feeds only on the sap from the roots of the wild herb vine called Yan Kai Tom (Tetrastigma papillosum Planch), causing many people to mistake it for the flower of Yan Kai Tom. But in fact, the Yan Kai Tom vine is a plant in the grape family (Vitidaceae) that has large vines. Found in rainforests in the southern region where there is regular rain throughout the year. The ground is loam or sandy loam in valleys or along streams. The Yan Kai Tom flowers are greenish-yellow and about twice the size of a match head. And from the study it was found that There are approximately 13-14 varieties of Bua Phut (Raffiesia) family plants.
The Bua Phut flower is classified as a rare and highly valuable medicinal plant. It is a traditional medicine discovered in ancient times. Helps cure many diseases such as diarrhea, beriberi, diabetes, cough, asthma, waist pain, back pain. Pregnant women eat it to help make childbirth easier. and is popularly used as a tonic for women after giving birth To have perfect health and strength. The body is energetic, the blood circulation is good, the body is sprightly. Have radiant skin And lotus flowers are also a tonic for men. And nowadays lotus pop flowers are hard to find. Because the forest has been destroyed, the ecological conditions of the forest have changed. In Thailand, lotus flowers can be found in national parks and wildlife sanctuaries such as Khao Sok National Park. Surat Thani Province and Khlong Naka Wildlife Sanctuary, Rayong Province , Ban Naga Forest, Aiyerweng Subdistrict, Betong District, Yala Province, a forest boundary connecting with the Halabala forest. etc. Therefore, in viewing the beauty of the lotus flowers that will be seen once a year Must follow the regulations of the park. strictly And you have to be careful while walking to admire the lotus flowers. Because if you accidentally step on the lotus bud button that is attached to the Yan Kai Tom vine, it will cause the lotus flower to die and become extinct. There is no opportunity to grow again.
Trekking to see Bua Phut (lotus blossoms) at Khao Sok National Park
Bua Phut flowersIn Khao Sok National Park Surat Thani Province It will be open for viewing during November – April of every year. Tourists will have to walk up the mountain for about 2-5 kilometers to find lotus flowers blooming. The walking route will be quite steep. and has a very high level of naturalness Tourists should not rush to walk. You should walk slowly, take breaks, and admire the beauty of the lotus flowers. You should only take pictures and impressions at home. If there is a violation of the regulations of Khao Sok National Park will be prosecuted according to law immediately
