raf·fle·sia (r -fl  zh )n. Any of various parasitic plants of the genus Rafflesia of tropical Asia, having small, brownish, scalelike leaves and fleshy, apetalous, foul-smelling flowers of various sizes. The species R. arnoldii has the largest flowers among all flowering plants, often measuring up to 1 meter (approximately 40 inches) in diameter. [New Latin, genus name, after Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles.] |
rafflesia [ræˈfliːzɪə]
n
(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) any of various tropical Asian parasitic leafless plants constituting the genus Rafflesia, esp R. arnoldi, the flowers of which grow up to 45 cm (18 inches) across, smell of putrid meat, and are pollinated by carrion flies: family Rafflesiaceae
[New Latin, named after Sir Stamford Raffles (1781-1826), British colonial administrator, who discovered it]
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