Giant Corpse Flower

Rafflesia arnoldii produces the largest individual flower on Earth, reaching up to a metre across and weighing several kilograms. It has no stems, leaves or roots — living entirely as a parasite on Tetrastigma vines.

Its reddish, speckled bloom emits the odour of decaying flesh to attract carrion flies for pollination, giving rise to its common name. Blooms last only a few days, making every flowering a rare event YKRI works to protect.

Key traits