Rafflesia arnoldii or giant padma is a mandatory parasite plant that grows on the stem of lianas (vines) of the Tetrastigma genus. Other Raflesia species also have the same host. Rafflesia arnoldii was first discovered in 1818 in the tropical forests of Sumatra by a guide who worked on Dr. Joseph Arnold, who was following Thomas Stanford Raffles expedition, so the plant is named after the inventor's history of merging between Raffles and Arnold.
Rafflesia arnoldii has no leaves so it can not afford to own photosynthesis and take nutrients from its host tree. The visible form of the Raflesia flowers is only the interest that develops within a certain period of time. Its presence seemed hidden for months in the body of its host until it finally grows flowers that only bloom a week. The Raflesia flower is the identity of the province of Bengkulu and as one of the rare puspa of the three national flower of Indonesia accompanying the nation's puspa (jasmine white or Jasminum sambac) and puspa charm (or mek or Phalaenopsis amabilis) based on Presidential Decree No. 4 of 1993 on Animals and National Flowers.
Morphological Description
Rafflesia arnoldii which has a widening flower with five flower crowns. Flowers become the only part of the plant seen from Rafflesia arnoldii, in the absence of roots, leaves and stems. One flower consists of five coarse orange petals and mottled with white cream. When the flowers bloom, the diameter can reach 70 to 110 cm with a height of 50 cm and weighs up to 11 kg.
Rafflesia arnoldii has reproductive organs, namely stamens and pistils, in one house contained in the center of the base of a curved-shaped flower like a barrel. The process of pollination in rafflesia flowers is aided by insects attracted to the stinging smell of flowers. Flower buds are formed along the trunk with the flower growth period can take up to 9 months and the bloom period of 5-7 days, then the raflesia flowers will wither and die.
Ecology and habitat
The spread and habitat of raflesia is spread in the lowland forests of West Java, lowland forests along the southern coast of West Java and Central Java lowland forests of Meru Betiri National Park, as well as tropical forests on the island of Sumatra. Several locations that often encountered Rafflesia arnoldii grow flowers include Kerinci Seblat National Park, Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, Seblat Elephant Training Center in North Bengkulu district, and Padang Guci Kabupaten Kaur, Bengkulu. South Bukit Barisan National Park itself has been designated as a center for the conservation of this plant. Until now rafflesia flowers have not been successfully cultivated outside the original habitat.
Of the approximately 30-species of raflesia worldwide, only one species is considered endangered, the Rafflesia magnifica that grows in the Philippines. One type of Raflesia that can grow outside the habitat is Rafflesia patma.
Threat
The high rate of deforestation, forest fires, and the decline of natural forests of Sumatra is a serious threat to the preservation of Rafflesia arnoldii. In addition, threats also come from destructive society and take the pistil of rafflesia flowers to be used as traditional medicine.
WWF Efforts in Habitat Conservation
Although not directly conserving Rafflessia arnoldii, habitat conservation efforts undertaken by WWF Indonesia in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park (TNBBS) in Lampung and Bengkulu, are expected to support the preservation of this rare fauna. In collaboration with various related partners, WWF also continues to build awareness and awareness of the community to preserve and preserve this unique Indonesian plant