The Corpse Flower: The Largest Flower in the World
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When the flower first blooms |
The shape of this flower is quite bizarre; it has no roots, no stem, and no leaves, making it hard to classify as a plant. Since it is merely a flower — a gigantic one at that — it is honored with the title of the “corpse flower.”
As royalty, it naturally requires servants and sustenance. The corpse flower is a parasitic plant with its single flower stalk embedded in the underground roots of the white rattan plant (Cissus) to absorb nutrients.
The largest diameter of a corpse flower can reach up to 1.4 meters; it typically weighs between 4-5 kilograms, with some specimens weighing as much as 50 kilograms. Its five red, fleshy petals measure 30-40 centimeters in length and are 20 centimeters thick, with a central reproductive structure and a nectar disk. The nectar disk is approximately 33 centimeters in diameter and 30 centimeters high when filled with water, capable of holding 5-6 kilograms.
The color of the flower is stunning and emits a pleasant fragrance when it first blooms. However, a few days later, it emits a foul smell akin to that of a dead rat, making it impossible to ignore. This repugnant scent attracts flies and insects, aiding the corpse flower in “passing on” its legacy. While the flower is massive, its fruit is extremely small, often clinging to an elephant’s foot to find new ground.
(Photo: Greenpeace)
