Two rafflesia flowers each type Rafflesia Arnoldii and Rafflesia Gadutensis bloom in two different locations in the province of Bengkulu.
"There are two flowers that are in perfect bloom and the type is also different," said Coordinator Community Care Puspa Rare (KPPL) Bengkulu, Sofian Ramadhan, in Bengkulu, Sunday, March 4, 2018.
He said one flower of Rafflesia Gadutensis blooms perfectly in the Boven Lais protected forest area of North Bengkulu Regency. While one flower Rafflesia Arnoldii blooms perfectly in the forest area around Manau IX Village Kaur District. "Each of these habitats is monitored by a team from the Community Care Puspa Rare," said Sofian.
The Boven Lais protected forest area is home to Rafflesia Gadutensis, Rafflesia Arnoldii, and Rafflesia Kemumu species that are regularly monitored by members of the North Bengkulu KPPL.
North Bengkulu KPPL Coordinator Riki Septian said the rare flower habitat of Rafflesia sp makes the Boven Lais protected forest a reliable ecotourism destination in the region. "A number of tourists from France have come to see the uniqueness of rafflesia flowers," he said.
While the habitat of Rafflesia Arnoldii and Rafflesia Bengkuluensis in Kabupaten Kaur is routinely monitored by the Youth Community of Padang Guci Peduli Puspa Rangka, Kaur. Community members provide guides and have made ecotourism routes in the Bukit Barisan forest area.
"Today we found one Rafflesia Arnoldii bloom perfectly and can be enjoyed up to three to four days ahead," said Coordinator KPPGPPL Kaur, Andri Yan.