It is a parasitic flowering plant found in some countries of S.E. Asia. They grow in the jungles of Peninsula Malaysia, the Borneo Island, Sumatra and the Phillipines.
Named after Sir Thomas Stamfford Raffles, it has many species. The largest is the R. arnoldi, while the smallest is the R. baletei. The one found near Gopeng is the R. cantlyi.
It is an endoparasite of the vine in the genus Tetra stigma. This plant has no stems, leaves or true roots. Called the 'corspe flower' it gives off a foul smell that attracts insects and small mammals to help in the pollination.
Recently I went on a climb up some hills near Gopeng, Perak, Malaysia to watch the rafflesia in bloom. With my bagful of cameras, lenses and a metal Gitzo tripod, I nearly did not complete the climb in the driving rain. Even with the help of ropes, the almost verticle climb was rather taxing on me. Luckily some of the young staffs from tour outfit helped me.
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| Another view of the same flower. |
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| The rafflesia cantlyi. |
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| A photograph of our group. Kurt is not in as he has to press the shutter button for me. |
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| This is one of our Asli guides. I nearly gave up when she told me there are 2 more hills to climb. |
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| Kurt, a macro photography expert explaining to the kids about the leech in his hand. |
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| Rajah brookes having a drink. |
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| This is another dangerous plant. But the squirrels that feed on the fruits do not suffer any ill effect. |
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| Be careful to stay clear of these leaves. One touch and you are in for a horrible burning and itchy experience. |
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| An ipoh tree from which the Orang Asli people got their poison to tip their blowpipe darts. Notice the slash wounds on the trunk? |
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| A group of rajah brookes at a salt lick. The locals must be educated not to kill the butterflies indiscriminately. Notice a few were dead on the ground? Ran over by some motorbikes. |
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