Among the thousands of species of plants that adorn this beautiful archipelago nature, there is a great special plants and special interest also in taking food. The plant in question is the Rafflesia grow in our country.
Major crops sounds unusual to us as citizens of Indonesia. But the name is the same as the name of the foreign nationals who have made history in Indonesia. Many people know the name of Sir Stamford Raffles as the last British Governor General in Indonesia, located in Bengkulu. This position he held for 8 years from 1818 to 1824.
Prior to serving in Sumatra, Raffles served as Governor-General in Java. Actual rank of the Lieutenant Governor of British Raffles is, for the Governor-General was in Malaya.
When taking office the Governor-General (Lieutenant Governor) in Indonesia, Sir Stamford Raffles arguably the young age of about 30 years. He has a great attention to people's lives (customs and history) as well as the natural beauty of archipelago.
At the time of taking up his duties in Bengkulu, Raffles planning an expedition into the interior of Sumatra. At this critical journey Raffles'm accompanied by Dr. Joseph Arnold, an expert imported herbs straight from the UK.
At the time of entry in the wilderness Bengkulu, West Sumatra, Raffles population showed a strange plant, Dr. Arnold sendirir could hardly believe what he was seeing it is the flower of a tall plant that has not been met.
The bowl-shaped flowers and enormous. Diameter ranges from 1-1 1/4 meter. Stems and leaves are not visible because the plants are in the form of fungi and the roots of the host plant. The looks from the outside is the interest alone. The color is striking, red brick with the points evenly. There are five leaves are thick like fleshy flowers. This smells attract insects that pollinate flowers such duty.
Examples of flowers found in Bengkulu then preserved and sent to England. Meanwhile, Dr. Arnold died from disease and research on this plant sample forwarded by botanist named Robert Brown. In the year 820, Robert announced the results of its investigation, which is a type of plant new discovery. The two men, this plant is given the scientific name is taken from the names of two men being Rafflesia arnoldii.
In investigation further rafllesia plants are not only found in Bengkulu and West Sumatra, but also in North Sumatra. Other types are more found little interest in Malaya, Borneo to Filipina. In Java, for example, in reclaiming and Nature Reserves Penanjung / Pengandaran there jeis named Padma flower, Rafflesia padma.
