There are 17 known different species of Rafflesia in Borneo. Endemic to South East Asia, this flower can only be found in Indonesia— specifically the lands of Sumatra and Java—-Malaysia, and some spots in Borneo and Thailand. Small, brown and scale-like leaves characterize the Rafflesia’s appearance. They give off a foul smelling odor and are listed as a parasite, taking nutrients out of a host.
Its natural habitat is at heights of 500 – 700 meters and in the deep of the forests of the places mentioned above. The Borneo climate is typically warm and humid as with any tropical rainforest. This type of flower is especially rare and most especially when it is in bloom. A typical Rafflesia is in bloom for only a few days. How many of these plants are available to survive in the aforementioned rainforests is still unknown.
One of the best place to spot rafflesia’s is near Poring Hot Spring in Sabah, Malaysia.
Due to the absence of distinct seasons in a rainforest near the equator, you cannot predict its flowering or fruiting season. What you get instead is a seemingly random season when the flowering cycles of the Bornean trees may begin. While the system of most of the species is still a mystery, it is concluded that there must be something that actually triggers the blooming. There are some answers to the big question as to what acts as stimuli to some species—the cause may range from a fire or the rainy season.
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