Rafflesia

views updated May 29 2018

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.

rafflesia

views updated May 23 2018

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.