Rare Rafflesia reaches full bloom in Bengkulu

Bengkulu province welcomed on Monday another gigantic Rafflesia Arnoldii, which reached full bloom at Bukit Daun Reserve in Tebat Monok village, Kepahiang regency.
Holidin, a member of the local Kelompok Peduli Puspa Langka group, which has been active in conserving the habitat of the rare flower, said the blossoming flower was the biggest among the other three “corpse flowers” that also recently reached full bloom in the location.
“The diameter of this one is about one meter,” he said as quoted by Antara.
His group previously found three other Rafflesia flowers blossoming in the reserve.
The Rafflesia blooms for only five to seven days and is endemic to Bengkulu’s rainforests.
Holidin said his group had made a 200-meter trail into the forest for visitors who want to observe the rare flower.
He added that his group had found 22 other buds growing within a radius of 1 kilometer in the forest.
“We have the most flowers blossoming this year; there are 22 others. Hopefully they will all reach full bloom,” he said.