Rafflesia (9♣)

 The Rafflesia is the largest flower in the World with recent flowers found measuring up to 95cm (3 feet) across. There are 55 species of Rafflesia, of which 9 are found in Borneo.

Alongside their rarity, size and unusual appearance, it is the strange lifestyle of Rafflesias that make them so fascinating. The Rafflesia is a totally parasitic flower. The only visible part of the plant is a single flower that has no leaves, stems or roots.

The cabbage like bud of the Rafflesia lies apparently 'dormant' for up to 16 months before blooming. Once a bud reaches maturity, it begins to uncurl at night, although the process may take between 12 to 48 hours to complete. From this point the clock is ticking for the next generation of Rafflesias to be conceived, as after just 8 to 10 days the bloom of the Rafflesia begins to show significant signs of deterioration.

During this short blooming period, the flowers are assumed to be pollinated by blue bottles and carrion flies. These are attracted by the sight of the bloom and its smell, which resembles rotting flesh. Pollination has to take place very quickly, as the blooms do not last very long. For pollination to occur successfully, both male and female flowers must be in bloom simultaneously in the same area, so that flies can pass between them.

大王花

大王花（学名：Rafflesia）：是大王花属20种肉质寄生草本植物的统称。肉质、寄生草本，寄生于植物的根、茎或枝条上，无叶绿素；吸取营养的器官退化成菌丝体状，侵入寄主的组织内。叶退化成鳞片或无。花通常单生，辐射对称，单性，雌雄异株，花被合生。雄蕊多数至5枚，无花丝；雌蕊由数枚合生心皮所组成；胚珠极多数，生于侧膜胎座上，珠被1-2层；花柱1或无，柱头盘状、头状或多裂。果为浆果；种子小，种皮坚硬，有内胚乳。

产自马来西亚、印度尼西亚的爪哇、苏门答腊等热带雨林中。是世界上花朵最大的植物。大王花在当地叫 Bungapatma，意思是“荷叶般硕大的花”，以花朵巨大而气味恶臭著称，有“世界花王”的美誉，是一种腐生植物。

大王花的名字是取自英殖民地时的 Sir Stamford Raffles，1818年时，Sir Stamford Raffles 和他的朋友 Dr. James Arnold 在 Manna 这个地方发现了最大的大王花品种。其种名“arnoldii”是为了纪念发现此植物的科学探险队的率领者——英国自然学家约瑟夫·阿诺德。