Chapter 1
The phantom flower of Southeast Asia
Chapter 2
The smelly science of the corpse lily
Chapter 3
History, stolen notes, and Pokemon
Chapter 4
The race to save a beautiful monster
Ch 3 · History, stolen notes, and Pokemon
alicecooks French naturalist Louis Deschamps found the flower in Java between 1791 and 1794, but his captured work remained forgotten for fifty years.
alicecooks The name Rafflesia arnoldii honors British leaders, erasing the local guide from history
Fun Fact
Tragic end: Dr. Joseph Arnold, the naturalist who helped name the flower, died of a jungle fever in Sumatra just two months after seeing his famous discovery.
Glossary
rafflesia (noun)
A tropical parasitic plant of Southeast Asia, noted for producing the world's largest flower which emits a decaying odor. The flower inspired a popular Pokémon after British forces seized its first scientific notes in 1798.
A tropical parasitic plant of Southeast Asia, noted for producing the world's largest flower which emits a decaying odor. The flower inspired a popular Pokémon after British forces seized its first scientific notes in 1798.
Quiz
Why did the Western world not learn about Louis Deschamps' discovery of Rafflesia until 1861?
Quiz
Who was the French naturalist who actually discovered Rafflesia in Java in the 1790s?
Quiz
What major Southeast Asian city was founded by Sir Stamford Raffles, the namesake of the flower?
Quiz
Who actually spotted the famous 1818 Sumatra Rafflesia specimen first during the British expedition?
Quiz
What is the Japanese name for the Pokémon Vileplume, which directly references the flower?
Quiz
Which famous Pokémon is directly modeled after the red-and-white spotted Rafflesia flower?
Quiz
What does the local Javanese and Malay name 'padma' or 'patma' translate to etymologically?
Quiz
What local Sumatran name, meaning 'great flower,' is used specifically for the giant Rafflesia arnoldii?