The largest flowers in the world

When we talk about rare and exotic flowers, it is inevitable not to think of the two largest flowers in the world , whose opening becomes a unique phenomenon that attracts hundreds of people from all over the world. The corpse flower, for example, blooms so few times that its entire development becomes a great event.

In Friends of Gardening we will explain to you what are the names of the plants that offer the largest flowers in the world, along with images and curiosities about them two. Keep reading and don’t forget to share!

Also discover the most beautiful flowering shrubs !

1. Amorphophallus titanum

Known as a giant hoop, this plant is born and grows in the dense rainforest of Sumatra, Indonesia. It is a herbaceous plant that can exceed 3 meters in height and 1 meter in diameter. The total weight of this spectacular plant can reach around 75 kilograms . It usually grows to around 40 years and only blooms three to four times in its entire life.

Its striking and huge flower is the first of the largest flowers in the world that we are going to show you. It has a nauseating smell, similar to putrid meat , in Indonesia it is known as » bunga bangkai» which means «the corpse flower».

The terrible smell that this plant gives off makes pollinating insects feel attracted and land on it with the intention of spreading their pollen. Something that is also striking is that this plant grows about 20 centimeters a day weeks before flowering.

In the last 30 years, only 80 specimens (in botanical gardens) of this unique plant have flourished. For this reason and due to the immensity and particularity of its flower, it makes this a great event followed worldwide.

2. Rafflesia arnoldii

This giant and curious plant is found in the humid forests of Borneo and Sumatra and also in some forests of Southeast Asia. It is a parasitic plant, which means that it feeds on its hosts , grows on the roots of trees and feeds on their nutrients. It has no leaves because it does not photosynthesize . This plant offers the second of the two largest flowers in the world.

Its size can exceed a meter in diameter and weigh up to 11 kilos . It has five fleshy petals about 3 centimeters thick, and they have a reddish or orange color. As the Amorphophallus titanum, the Rafflesia also gives off a stench of rotting flesh to attract pollinating insects. What differentiates it and makes it unique is its ability to generate its own heat to increase the effectiveness of its reproductive maneuver.

The problem that this wonderful plant faces is the same as many other living beings on our planet, the destruction of its habitat due to deforestation makes it in danger of extinction .