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Rafflesia

Did you know that there is a plant whose flowers look and smell like rotting flesh. This
plant is called Rafflesia. The foul odour from Rafflesia attracts insects such as carrion flies,
which transport pollen from male to female flowers. Its foul odor is more repulsive than any
buffalo carcass and this is exactly the reason why Rafflesia is often referred to as the “corpse
flower”.
The plant contains approximately 28 species, all found in Southeast Asia, mainly in
Indonesia, Malaysia, Borneo, Thailand and the Philippines.
More than 10 species of Rafflesia can only be found in the Philippines.  Among these
is Rafflesia manillana from Luzon which is also considered as the smallest Rafflesia variety in
the world. Other endemic Rafflesia can also be found in the provinces of Kalinga, Quirino,
Antique, Laguna, Quezon, Cotabato, Panay, and Compostela Valley.
On average, Rafflesia only lasts for only 5 to 7 days after its flower becomes fully
bloomed. By the time it reaches its maturity, Rafflesia starts to emit its characteristically foul
smell to attract its pollinators. 
Eventhough it is rarely known in the Philippines, other Southeast Asian countries have
turned this parasitic flower into a tourist attraction.
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rafflesia#Description
https://filipiknow.net/rafflesia/

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