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"Why Does the Rafflesia Flower Emit a Foul Odor? - The World's Largest Flower Strategy for Attracting Pollinators"
Feb 06 2024
Deep in the Sumatran rainforest, the Rafflesia arnoldii, the world's largest flower, emits a putrid odor resembling that of a decomposing body. This foul smell is not a coincidence but a clever strategy to attract carrion flies, which are attracted to the scent of rotting flesh. The Rafflesia flower takes advantage of the flies' mistaken identity and uses them as pollinators. The plant is parasitic, lacking leaves, stems, and roots, relying on a host plant for nutrients and water. The flower, which can grow up to three feet in diameter and weigh up to 24 pounds, takes months to develop and only blooms for a few days. The odor is produced by sulfur compounds and other chemicals that mimic the smell of rotting flesh, attracting carrion flies from miles away. When the flies land on the flower, they unknowingly pick up pollen and transfer it to female flowers, facilitating pollination. While repulsive to humans, the smell is a vital adaptation for the Rafflesia plant, ensuring it attracts the specific pollinators it needs to reproduce and survive in its rainforest habitat.
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