Rafflesia

plants · parasites · Southeast Asia · giant flowers

Stinking Corpse Lily. Rafflesia gets its nickname from its awful smell, which is like rotting meat. The stink helps attract flies and beetles that pollinate the flower.

Truly Enormous Flowers. One rafflesia species has the largest flower in the world, growing up to 3 feet across. That is as wide as a big pizza box.

Sneaky Parasite. Rafflesia doesn't have roots or leaves like normal plants. Instead, it lives inside the vines of its host plant and steals food and water from it.

Southeast Asian Treasure. All rafflesia species are found in Southeast Asia, mostly in rainforests. Scientists have discovered up to 41 different types so far.

No Green Parts. Because rafflesia steals everything it needs from its host plant, it doesn't have to make its own food. It has no green leaves or visible stems above ground.