Scientists Recently Found One Of The World's Largest Flowers Blooming In An Indonesian Forest

Jan 07, 2020 by apost team

"Monster Flower," as it is often referred to as, the rafflesia plant is said to be one of the largest flowers in the world. Currently inhabiting a West Sumatran forest in Indonesia the blossom is almost 4 feet in diameter. However, there is nothing pretty about this big flower.

According to CNN Indonesia, the flower does not have any roots or leaves making it a parasitic plant. Meaning that this big bloom is feeding off of another plant to survive. It drinks its host plant water and takes its nutrients. The flower can only be seen when it breaks through the walls of the host plant and shows its florets. 

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Besides being a parasite, the flower also has some other unfortunate traits. The blossom has an open mouth that releases a foul odor that stinks of rotting meat giving the plant the nickname "corpse flower." 

Thankfully the stench isn't around for very long as the rafflesia only has a life span of 1 week. Its mouth opens only for 7 days before the plant perishes. The Natural Resources and Conservation Center says this flower is, however, the largest flower ever recorded on earth. 

What do you think about this flower? Tell us your thoughts below. Pass this article on to your friends and family to see what they think.