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Rafflesia - the Biggest Flower


Rafflesia - the Biggest Flower
Photo Information
Copyright: James Parker (Jamesp) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1251 W: 0 N: 4829] (14332)
Genre: Plants
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2001-03
Categories: Flowers
Camera: Canon EOS 1vHS, Canon 24-70 mm f 2,8 L-USM
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): flower(red) [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-02-24 11:12
Viewed: 2030
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 14
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I have decided to post a flower today.

The Rafflesia is the world's biggest flower - some specimens are over a meter in diameter (this one was about 90cm). They are found in peninsula Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Borneo and the southern Philippines in rainforest habitat.

The flowers take about 10 months to develop from the woody, parasitic vine. The buds swell until they reach the size of a large cabbage or football and then open - but only last for 3 days. The flowers give off the smell of rotting meat to attract the flies which pollinate them.

There are 17 species of Rafflesia - this is one of the biggest - Keithii. The name Rafflesia come from Sir Stamford Raffles who gave his name to them and to the Raffles Hotel in Singapore.

There is no flowering season - you just have to be lucky - I was - there were two in flower on my visit and they were both quite close to the park HQ.

This is a scanned slide. As usual I didn't use a tripod (I am really bad about that) and I do not think I used a flash.
extramundi, delic, mikou, Adanac, manyee has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To manyee: StinkyJamesp 1 02-25 02:21
To cicindela: DiameterJamesp 1 02-24 12:10
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello James!
Very impressive shot! Especially now when I can see how huge it is!! :)
According to quality of photo it is really good (especially if this is a scan!). Good DOF, nice colours and contrast.
Best greetings,
Radomir

This is really TN stuff.... congratulations.
The rotten meat smell is more typical from mushrooms to disperse spores that in flowers, and the size and beauty of the specimen are great.
Very interesting, thank you.

  • Great 
  • delic Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 530 W: 6 N: 340] (936)
  • [2007-02-24 13:14]

Hello James,
A total novelty for me. Impressive size for a flower. Not ugly either but I shudder to think about the smell. Good exposure control, especially if you didn't use flash. Looks sharp here but I still wish you used a tripod.
Best wishes,
Hakan

  • Great 
  • mikou Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 863 W: 73 N: 1348] (5265)
  • [2007-02-24 13:32]

Hi James.
Very nice capture of this big flower.You use some respirator? :-))
Good exposure and details.Very nice colors.
Great presentations of this very interesting kind.
Well done,TFS and best greetings.
Milos

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1043 W: 1 N: 4096] (13768)
  • [2007-02-24 22:05]

Hi James,
First thanks for teaching me something today. Secondly what a great shot of this extrordinary flower, with good detail and color.
Rick

I have always wanted to see such a flower, James.
Does it really stink as much as they say?
Great POV showing the whole gigantic flower,
as well as the huge center. I like the texture you were able to capture. A very nice orange. It is rather pretty, despite its smelly reputation.
TFS. : )

  • Great 
  • wuta Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 871 W: 2 N: 606] (2034)
  • [2007-02-25 5:39]

Hello James , A Very apart shot from this flower never seen before , beautiful colours details and sharpnes ,Greetings Teunie .

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