ANN/THE STAR – A Rafflesia flower in Gunung Gading National Park, Sarawak, has bloomed, captivating visitors with its stunning beauty.
In a Facebook post, the park shared that the flower, measuring 55 centimetres with five petals, began blooming last week and is expected to last until tomorrow.
“We are thrilled to share that the Rafflesia bloom at Gunung Gading National Park was a tremendous success, with a full house of nature lovers and enthusiasts witnessing this rare and beautiful phenomenon,” the post read.
The park expressed gratitude to visitors for their “support and passion for nature conservation”. “Your enthusiasm and presence make these moments truly special, and we are grateful for your patience and cooperation in helping us preserve this,” it said.
The park explained that the blooming process occurs once a year when the Rafflesia grows to its maximum diameter, featuring five leathery, red-spotted petals around a bowl-like centre that traps flies and insects for sustenance.
Up to nine months elapse between the stages of seed to pod to flower, with the final display lasting only a few days, usually seven.
Rafflesia, also known as the stinking corpse lily, is a genus of parasitic flowering plants in the family Rafflesiaceae.
