Rafflesia kerrii
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| Rafflesia kerrii Meijer |
Rafflesia kerrii is a member of the genus Rafflesia. It is found in the rainforest of southern Thailand and peninsular Malaysia, with the largest population in the Khao Sok National Park. The local Thai name is Bua Phut (บัวผุด).
The red flowers have a diameter of 50-90 cm and smell awfully of rotten meat to attract flies for polination. The plant is a parasite to the wild grapes of the genus Tetrastigma, but only the flowers are visible. Small buds appear along the trunk of the host, which after 9 months open the giant flowers. After just one week the flower dies. Even though it blossoms all year round, it is best seen in the winter months, when the more dry and cooler weather makes trekking more comfortable.
The flower is endangered. Though already naturally rare, tourists trying to get close to the flower for photos easily trample the host plant or young buds.
According to the local people the flower also has medical powers. A tea made from the flower buds is said to help the female uterus to restore after giving birth. However western medicine doesn't recognize any medical power of the flower.
The flower is the symbol flower of Surat Thani Province, which is the location of the Khao Sok NP.
