Benjamin Reeves, age 14, of Columbus, Ohio,

Where does the rafflesia flower grow?

Imagine a giant flower three feet wide= This is rafflesia, the largest flower that blooms. Chances are, however you would be disappointed in the big blossom: It is a sickly looking thing with an even more sickly odor, Rafflesia is pollinated by carrion flies and its smell is attractive to these insects: but no to us. It is the odor of bad meat beginning to decays.

The blossom grows flat on the ground from the roots of tropical vines, Five thick, fleshy leaves fold back from a round, cup‑shaped center, There is no delicacy about this flower. It may weigh from 15 to 25 pounds,

Rafflesia is a parasite plant of the tropics, There are six known kinds, all native to the Pacific islands, They grow in Malaya, the Philippines, the Fast Indies and Sumatra. The largest of the family is native to the island of Sumatra.

Only the rafflesia flower appears above ground. There are no leaves and no roots in the true sense. The parent plant is a mesh of underground fibers ,ailed the mycelium. The rafflesia singles out only certain vines on which ;t will grow, It embeds its fibers into the ground roots of these plants and produces its monstrous,  blossom only at seeding time.