When people think of the natural wonders of the plant kingdom
Borneo is what springs to mind.
But we're here in the jungles of Peninsular Malaysia. We've just walked
into the great state of Kelantan, over the border of Perak, and we want
to see something entirely remarkable.
First documented in the late 18th century by French botanist, Louis Deschamps,
Rafflesia is the largest flower in the world. At about 85 centimeters in diameter
this specimen isn't even the largest. But Rafflesia kerrii,
which we find here in northern Malaysia and in southern Thailand,
is the second largest species there is.
Of the 15 or 20 species of Rafflesia recognised
they're all characterised by the same features:
five perigon lobes which are equivalent to the petals of any other flower
and inside, a corollary disk
which is specialised to
release pheromones that, well, attract flies.
Hence the common name of the "corpse flower".
It smells of rotting meat.
About five days ago, this was a Rafflesia bloom in its prime.
At approximately 110 centimetres across, this is almost as large as these plants get,
making this one of nature's true spectacles.
Here you can see a bloom of Rafflesia
growing on its own vine tetrastigma.
It's about 20-25 centimeters across and it's about three days from flowering.
At 30 centimeters across this bloom
is just a day away from coming into flower. At the moment it doesn't smell
of anything at all.
But tomorrow is another day...