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''Rafflesia tuan-mudae'' is a member of the Rafflesiaceae family. It lives as a parasite on the ''Tetrastigma'' vine. The enormous flowers may reach up to 1 m in diameter. The buds normally emerge where the vine is growing along the ground, unlike some of the other ''Rafflesia'' species whose buds can emerge from vines hanging in the air. In the Malaysian language, ''tuan-mudae'' translates as 'Beloved or young Prince' after Charles Brooke the British Rajah of Sarawak. Locally the flower is referred to as ''bunga pakma'' - "bunga" means "flower" in Malaysian. Typically the flowers are around 60 cm in diameter opening from a 20 cm bud. Occasionally these buds reach 30 cm in diameter in which case a flower nearly 1 m across may form. ==Life cycle== The flowers can be found on liana-like vines, specifically ''Tetrastigma'' sp.. The seeds reach the host plant by an unknown animal vector, penetrate the tissue of the root and grow inside the host tissue for an indefinite period of time before buds develop. The bud develops for 9 months, before it becomes a gigantic orange to red flower. It stays in full bloom for just 7 days. The main pollinator for this flower are flies. All ''Rafflesia'' flowers emit a rotting meat stench attracting pollinators, although the smell of ''R. tuan-mudae'' is comparatively mild. However, they are no less effective at attracting these flies, upon whose back pollen is deposited. Male and female flowers can only be identified by fingering under the central disk for the anthers. However, visitors are encouraged not to touch or handle the buds in particular, as they are fragile and may die. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Rafflesia tuan-mudae」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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