The Rafflesia flower grows
up to a meter across and is among the strangest plants around.
Today
it grows extremely rare in the world.
Despite having such a huge
flower the plant has no roots since it is parasitic.
It steals its
nutrients from plants to which it attaches itself.
The flower also
has a unique scent - of rotting meat. This attracts insects that
pollinate this strange bloom.
There is no way of telling when a
Rafflesia will pop up. But one of the best places to see them is the Gunung Gading National Park near Lundu, about two hours drive from
Kuching.
The park rangers keep careful watch on sprouting Rafflesia
and if you call the park beforehand, they will tell you the chances
of seeing one in bloom.
