Rafflesia arnoldii
The world’s largest single flower, famous for its strong scent of decay
Rafflesia arnoldii is a parasitic flowering plant found in the rainforests of Sumatra and Borneo. Its huge reddish-brown flower, sometimes over a meter wide, emits a powerful smell like rotting meat to attract pollinating flies. This rare plant is one of Indonesia’s national flowers.
- Produces the largest single flower on Earth
- Smells like rotting meat to attract pollinators
- Only the flower appears above ground; the rest lives inside a vine
- Recognized as a national rare flower of Indonesia
What does Rafflesia arnoldii look like?
Rafflesia arnoldii produces a single, enormous flower that can reach up to a meter across and weigh as much as 11 kilograms. The bloom is reddish-brown with white spots and emerges from a large, cabbage-like bud. The flower has a thick, fleshy texture and a central disk surrounded by five broad petals. Its most distinctive feature is a strong odor, similar to decaying flesh, which attracts flies and beetles. The plant itself is hidden within its host vine, with only the flower visible above ground.
Where does Rafflesia arnoldii come from?
This species grows naturally in the rainforests of Sumatra and Borneo. It lives as a parasite on Tetrastigma vines, drawing nutrients from its host. Rafflesia arnoldii was first collected by local people and later by European explorers in the early 1800s. The plant was named after Stamford Raffles and Joseph Arnold, who were involved in its study. Over time, it became recognized as a botanical curiosity and a symbol of Indonesia’s unique flora.
When and how Rafflesia arnoldii blooms
Rafflesia arnoldii spends most of its life hidden inside the tissue of its host vine. When ready to reproduce, it forms a bud on the vine’s surface, which takes many months to grow. The bud eventually opens into the giant flower, which lasts only a few days. The flower’s scent and color attract carrion flies, which help with pollination. The plant grows in humid, shaded rainforest areas, often near streams and at moderate elevations.
How Rafflesia arnoldii is used
People do not cultivate Rafflesia arnoldii for gardens or cut flowers, as it is difficult to grow outside its natural habitat. It is mainly known as a symbol of Indonesia, where it is officially recognized as a national rare flower. The plant draws interest from scientists and visitors, but its main role is as a unique part of the rainforest ecosystem.
Kinds of Rafflesia arnoldii
Within the genus Rafflesia, several species exist, but Rafflesia arnoldii is notable for having the largest single flower. Regional names for the plant include kerubut in Sumatra and cendawan biriang in the Minangkabau language. Other species in the genus may differ in size, color, and host preference.
What Rafflesia arnoldii means
Rafflesia arnoldii holds special status in Indonesia, where it is one of three national flowers. Its unusual appearance and odor have made it famous worldwide. The flower is often featured in nature documentaries and is a subject of conservation concern due to habitat loss. In local culture, it is sometimes called the giant padma. Its rarity and size make it a symbol of the region’s biodiversity.
Questions people ask about Rafflesia arnoldii
Where does Rafflesia arnoldii grow?
It is found in the rainforests of Sumatra and Borneo, living as a parasite on Tetrastigma vines. The plant prefers humid, shaded areas and is native to Indonesia and Malaysia.
Why is it called the corpse flower?
The name comes from the flower’s strong odor, which is similar to decaying flesh. This scent attracts flies and beetles that help pollinate the plant.
What makes Rafflesia arnoldii unique?
It produces the world’s largest single flower, which can measure over a meter across. The plant is also unusual because it has no leaves, stems, or roots visible above ground.
What does Rafflesia arnoldii symbolize?
In Indonesia, it is a national rare flower and represents the country’s unique and rare biodiversity. It is also a symbol of the rainforests where it grows.
Can Rafflesia arnoldii be grown in gardens?
No, it cannot be easily cultivated outside its natural habitat because it depends on a specific host vine and complex rainforest conditions.
Good reading and sources
- Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle
- Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
- Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
- Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database
- Rafflesia arnoldii on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Rafflesia arnoldii", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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