RAFFLESIA AS A HAPAXANTHIC PLANT AND IMPLICATIONS FOR RAFFLESIA 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.