The world's largest flower 🌸 Rafflesia is a parasitic plant that spends most of its life cycle within its host, a tropical vine, emerging only to bloom. Its flowers are the largest in the world, spanning up to a metre. Despite this, little is known about its life cycle, and it is almost impossible to grow. Chris Thorogood and colleagues went in search of the elusive flowering plant in the hope that what they learned, could help save this plant for the future. https://www.newscientist.com/articl

The Rafflesia: The World’s Largest FlowerRafflesia is a rare parasitic plant with no leaves, stems, or roots. It lives inside the Tetrastigma vine, relying entirely on it for water and nutrients. Only its massive flower emerges, blooming briefly for 3–5 days.The Philippines is one of the world’s centers of Rafflesia diversity, with 13 species found in Luzon, Samar, Panay, Negros, and Mindanao. Three species—R. manillana, R. speciosa (locally called urùy, kalò posong, or agong-ong), and R. lobata