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Where Is the World's Largest Flower Found?

botanySoutheast Asia

Quick Answer

Rafflesia arnoldii, the world's largest individual flower, is found in the rainforests of Sumatra and Borneo.

The Full Story

Rafflesia arnoldii produces the world's largest individual flower, found in the tropical rainforests of Sumatra and Borneo in Indonesia and Malaysia. The flower can grow up to 1 meter in diameter and weigh up to 11 kilograms. It has no visible leaves, stems, or roots — it lives as a parasite inside Tetrastigma vines, only becoming visible when it blooms. The flower is famous for its putrid smell, earning it the nickname "corpse flower," which attracts carrion flies for pollination. Each bloom lasts only 5 to 7 days, making sightings rare and special. Several Rafflesia species are critically endangered due to habitat loss.

Key Facts

1.Rafflesia was named after Sir Stamford Raffles, who co-discovered it with Dr. Joseph Arnold in 1818
2.The plant has no chlorophyll and cannot photosynthesize — it gets all nutrients from its host vine
3.Only about 10–20% of Rafflesia buds successfully develop into mature flowers

YouTube Angle

Suggested video title for this topic:

"The world's largest and smelliest flower — hunting for Rafflesia in the Borneo rainforest"