Rafflesia tuan-mudae

Taxobox
name = "Rafflesia tuan-mudae"


image_width = 200px
image_caption = "Rafflesia tuan-mudae" Close up flower
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Malpighiales
familia = Rafflesiaceae
genus = "Rafflesia"
species = "R. tuan-mudae"
binomial = "Rafflesia tuan-mudae"
binomial_authority = R.Br.

"Rafflesia tuan-mudae" is a member of the Rafflesiaceae family. It lives as a parasite on the "Tetrastigma" vine. The enormous flowers may reach up to 1M in diameter. The buds normally emerge where the vine is growing along the ground, unlike some of the other Rafflesia species whose buds can emerge from vines hanging in the air.

In the Malaysian language tuan-mudae translates as 'Beloved Prince' after Charles Brooke the British Rajah of Sarawak. Locally the flower is referred to as bunga pakma - "bunga" means "flower" in Malay.

Typically the flowers are around 60 cm in diameter opening from a 20 cm bud. Occasionally these buds reach 30cm in diameter in which case a flower nearly 1m across may form.

Life-cycle

The flowers can be found on liana like vines, specifically "Tetrastigma sp.". The spores settle on the host plant and develop into a bud. The bud develops for 9 months, before it becomes a gigantic flower, orange brown in colour. It stays in full bloom for about 7 days only. The main pollinator for this flower are flies. Some flowers are self pollinating, but all emit a rotting meat stench attracting pollinators although the smell from tuan-mudae is mild comparatively. However, they are no less effective at attracting these flies, upon who's back pollen is deposited.

Male and female flowers can only be identified by fingering under the central plate for small hook like hairs, the anthers. However visitors are encouraged not to touch or handle the buds in particular, as they are reported to be sensitive to bacterial infection and may die.

Current locations

In Sarawak one of the easiest locations is at Gunning Gading National Park. [http://www.forestry.sarawak.gov.my/forweb/np/np/gading.htm] , less than 2hrs from Kuching, E.Malaysia. In July 2008 one of the largest flowers was recorded in the park measuring 95cm.

References

External links

*http://www.borneofocus.com/saip/vaic/R&D/article40.htm