Rafflesia patma
A giant, foul-smelling parasitic flower found on Java, Indonesia
Rafflesia patma is a parasitic flowering plant known only from Java, Indonesia. Its enormous pale flowers, up to 60 cm wide, emerge from rainforest vines and give off a strong smell of rotting flesh to attract carrion flies for pollination.
- Flowers can reach up to 60 cm across
- Emits a strong odour of rotting flesh
- Found only on Java, Indonesia
- Parasitic on rainforest vines, with no leaves or stems
- Protected in Pananjung Pangandaran Nature Reserve
What does Rafflesia patma look like?
Rafflesia patma produces huge, pale, five-lobed flowers that measure 30 to 60 cm across. The blooms emerge directly from the roots or base of rainforest vines, with no leaves, stems, or roots of their own. The flower emits a powerful stench of rotting flesh, which attracts carrion flies. Inside the flower is a pot-like structure with a central column and a disc-shaped plate covered in warts. The surface is pale compared to other Rafflesia species.
Where does Rafflesia patma come from?
This species is native to Java, Indonesia, and may have once grown in southern Sumatra. It was first collected in 1824 on the island of Kembangan, off Java's coast, and formally described in 1825 by Carl Ludwig Blume. The name 'patma' comes from the Javanese word for the plant, which traces back to the Sanskrit 'padma', meaning 'lotus'. Rafflesia patma is part of a genus only described a few years before its discovery.
When and how Rafflesia patma blooms
Rafflesia patma is a holoparasite, meaning it relies entirely on its host, the vine Tetrastigma leucostaphylum, for nutrients. The plant lives as strands of cells inside the host's tissues. Flower buds, called 'knops', emerge from the host's roots or stem bases. The flowers open directly from the host, with no green parts of their own. The plant is dioecious, with separate male and female flowers.
How Rafflesia patma is used
There is no record of Rafflesia patma being used for decoration, food, or medicine. Its main ecological role is attracting female carrion flies with its strong odour, which pollinate the flowers as they search for places to lay eggs. The species is protected in at least one nature reserve due to its rarity.
Kinds of Rafflesia patma
On Java, Rafflesia patma grows alongside two other Rafflesia species: R. zollingeriana, which is more common inland in the southeast, and R. rochussenii. R. patma is distinguished by its pale flowers and reduced or absent warts inside the flower tube. R. zollingeriana has denser, pointed ramenta, and R. rochussenii has long-stalked, disc-like warts.
What Rafflesia patma means
Rafflesia patma is not known to have symbolic meaning or use in ceremonies. Its discovery and naming are part of the early history of botany in Indonesia. The flower is notable for its size and unusual biology, and is protected in some reserves. Overharvesting has likely led to its disappearance from parts of its former range.
Questions people ask about Rafflesia patma
Where does Rafflesia patma come from?
Rafflesia patma is native to the island of Java in Indonesia. It may have once grown in southern Sumatra, but is now only known from Java.
What does Rafflesia patma look like?
It has enormous, pale, five-lobed flowers that can be 30 to 60 cm wide. The flowers emerge directly from the roots or stems of rainforest vines and have a pot-like centre with a warty disc.
Why does the flower smell so bad?
The flower gives off a strong smell of rotting flesh to attract female carrion flies. These flies help pollinate the flower as they search for places to lay their eggs.
Is Rafflesia patma used by people?
There is no record of it being used for decoration, food, or medicine. Its main role is ecological, attracting pollinators with its scent.
Is Rafflesia patma endangered?
It is rare and protected in at least one nature reserve on Java. Overharvesting may have caused it to disappear from some areas.
Good reading and sources
- Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
- Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
- Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Rafflesia patma", 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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