Recent research highlights a grave threat to the Rafflesia, a genus of parasitic flowering plants native to Southeast Asia, known for their gigantic, foul-smelling blooms. These plants, including the famous Rafflesia arnoldii, face the risk of extinction. Rafflesia flowers, the world’s largest in terms of size and weight, inhabit specific regions within tropical rainforests across Southeast Asia. These parasitic plants lack traditional leaves, stems, or roots and depend on host vines for sustenance. Their striking, but short-lived blooms, lasting only days to a week, contribute to their vulnerability.
Facts/Terms for UPSC Prelims
- Rafflesia arnoldii: Rafflesia arnoldii is one of the most famous species within the Rafflesia genus. It’s renowned for producing the largest individual flowers globally and is a symbol of the genus.
- Parasitic Plants: Parasitic plants, like Rafflesia, are organisms that rely on other host plants for nutrients and support, lacking traditional photosynthetic structures like leaves.
- Corpse Flowers: Rafflesia flowers are often called “corpse flowers” due to their unpleasant odor, which resembles that of decaying organic matter.
- Tetrastigma: Tetrastigma is the host vine upon which Rafflesia plants depend for sustenance. It provides the necessary nutrients and support for the parasitic Rafflesia.
- Extinction Risk: This term refers to the heightened likelihood that a species or group of species will become extinct in the near future, often due to factors such as habitat loss, climate change, or human activities.