Rafflesia

Rafflesia genus


Habitat
A rainforest plant which parasitises Terastigma vines

Distribution
South east Asia

Status
IUCN Threat categories for the 15 species range from 'Endangered' to 'Indeterminate'

Population
No population estimates are available.

Threats
Loss of habitat as human population clears rainforest

Conservation
Protect natural habitat

Size
Largest flowers up to 1m in diameter

Weight
Not available.

Special features
A total parasite, only the foul smelling, insect pollinated flowers are obvious, and these are produced after 5 years of parasitic growth in the host vine.


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File last modified Thursday, October 3, 1996