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rafflesia
rafflesia , any of a genus ( Rafflesia ) of parasitic plants native to the rain forests of the Malay peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo, and the Philippines. The plants have no roots, stems, or leaves, consisting of threadlike growths on the tissues of the vine that hosts them. They produce large buds that may take 10 months to open into huge five-petaled flowers, which in the largest species ( Rafflesia arnoldii ) measure a yard (1 m) or so across. The flowers of most species have the distinctive odor of rotting flesh. All species are endangered or threatened. Rafflesia species are classified in the division Magnoliophyta , class Magnoliopsida, order Rafflesiales, family Rafflesiaceae. |
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"rafflesia." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 9 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "rafflesia." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 9, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-rafflsia.html "rafflesia." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Retrieved February 09, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-rafflsia.html |
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Rafflesia
Rafflesia (family Rafflesiaceae) A genus of plants that are wholly parasitic on vines of the family Vitaceae. The flowers are showy and huge (up to 1m diameter in R. arnoldii). They have 4–6 fleshy tepals, fused at the base, stamens fused as a ring, and the ovary inferior and immersed in a central column, smelling of carrion, and fly-pollinated. It is a prized medicine. There are about 13 species occurring in western Malaysia.
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MICHAEL ALLABY. "Rafflesia." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 9 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "Rafflesia." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (February 9, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-Rafflesia.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "Rafflesia." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Retrieved February 09, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-Rafflesia.html |
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rafflesia
rafflesia Parasitic plant native to Sumatra and Java. It grows as a parasite on the roots of jungle vines and has no stem or leaves. The foul-smelling, reddish-brown flowers are 1m (3.25ft) in diameter, the world's largest flowers. Family Rafflesiaceae; species Rafflesia arnoldii.
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"rafflesia." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 9 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "rafflesia." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (February 9, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-rafflesia.html "rafflesia." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved February 09, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-rafflesia.html |
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