<em>RAFFLESIA</em> AS A HAPAXANTHIC PLANT AND IMPLICATIONS FOR <em>RAFFLESIA</em> CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT

Abstract

Rafflesia is famous for its enormous flowers attached to Tetrastigma vines. The theory to explain this phenomenon is that the Rafflesia flower is produced by a repeat-flowering entity that lives and grows as an endophytic parasite within its Tetrastigma host. Evidence is presented here to support the theory that Rafflesia is a hapaxanthic plant, flowering at the end of its life, with each plant terminating in a single flower; repeat flowering being the result of reinfection by seeds. This has existential implications for Rafflesia.