How does rafflesia reproduce

Thus far, the only successful propagation technique has been grafting. This mini-review succinctly emphasizes what is known about Rafflesia species. Members of the genus Rafflesia Rafflesiaceae , which are holoparasitic plants known to grow on a host vine, Tetrastigma sp. The plant's geographical distribution as well as many other aspects pertaining to the basic biology of this genus have still not been studied.

Imagine your girlfriend asking you for flowers. But, roses are too mainstream. Well why not get her the biggest flower in the world! Rafflesia is a genus of plants which are found in the rainforests of South East Asia , mostly in Borneo.

These plants are parasites. They attach to a host and absorb nutrients and water. Hosts are usually certain types of vines. The plant consists of a single flower. It is the largest flower in the world and can grow larger than 1 metre in diameter — the current record is cm. The largest species of rafflesia, the Rafflesia arnoldii , can weigh up to 10kg. The flower is reddish-brown in colour with blister-like white spots. The sexual organs of these plants lie deep in the well.

A rafflesia plant can only either have male or female sexual organs and rely on insects to pollinate them. Rafflesias are notoriously known as the Corpse Flower because they smell horrible. Volatile organic compounds such sulphur are released by the flower to mimic this foul smell. The smell attracts flies to help pollinate these flowers. Mature rafflesia plants only flower for days. Within this period, flies that are attracted to these flowers will unknowingly transfer pollen from a male to a female plant.

After fertilization, the females make fruits. The fruits get eaten by small animals or insects and seeds get dispersed around the rainforest. Is Rafflesia a parasite? Rafflesia arnoldii is a parasitic plant,without roots or leaves.

The main body of the plant resides insidethe host plant. The only visible parts are the flowers, which burstthrough the host plant's bark as compact buds, and later thefruits.

Kymberly Hida Pundit. What type of parasite is Rafflesia? Rafflesia is a parasite , and does not usechlorophyll. The plant has no stem, leaves or true roots. It livesinside vines of the genus Tetrastigma Vitaceae. It spreads itsabsorptive organ, the haustorium, inside the tissue of thevine. Estilita Beretta Pundit. What is the use of Rafflesia? In Peninsular Malaysia, Rafflesia buds are used by women to stop internal bleeding and shrink the wombafter childbirth, as well as for the treatment of fever.

The budwas once sought after as a traditional medicine. It is usedby men as an energy drink or an aphrodisiac [3,4]. Melibea Cristurean Pundit. How do you save Rafflesia? To maintain a balance between its ethnomedicinal andornamental use, and conservation , Rafflesia spp.

Asuccessful method of vegetative propagation is by host graftingusing Rafflesia -impregnated Tetrastigma onto the stem of anormal Tetrastigma plant. Elly Mcbain Teacher. Why is a Rafflesia in full bloom a rare sight? And once they bloom they last only for few days before dying.

Chunlian Groothoff Teacher. What is the smell of Rafflesia? As with several other foul- smelling blooms, the scent is designed to smell like rotting carrion toattract flies. Despite its unsavory stench, Rafflesia arnoldii is considered one of the three national flowers inIndonesia, where it is a protected species. Edur Rivallo Teacher. Where is Wolffia found? Wolffia globosa is a species of flowering plantknown by the common name Asian watermeal. It is native to Asia andis found in parts of the Americas, where it may be native ornaturalized.