The gigantic flower of Raflessia arnoldii bloomed for the first time outside its indigenous habitat at Bogor Botanical Garden in West Java. The flower is allowed to be observed by visitors. And even though the diameter is not more than 60 cm, yet this plant is definitely Raflesia arnoldii, said researcher of Bogor Botanical Garden, Sofi Mursidawari (Kompas.com 14/9/2022)

The location where Raflessia bloomed was at climber plant area at Kenari Street Dua. Visitors may not trespass the fence to see the flower. The researcher said that this will keep the flower bloom naturally. The flower is watched and researched for 124 hours and a guide is ready on the spot to give visitors information about the flower and as well guard it. A big screen to see the flower is also provided for visitors.

Conservation of the flower outside the original habitat in Sumatra has been conducted since 1818 and yet no success. In 2006, researchers planted the seed of Raflessia from Bengkulu at the climber plants area. One of the climber plants was seven species of tetrastigma, the host plant of Raflessia. After 16 years of planting, early September 2022 appeared several flower-to-be bulb and one of the bloomed in 12 September 2022.

The flower was first discovered by a guide worked for Dr. Joseph Arnold who joined Thomas Stamford Raffles. The flower name derives from Raffles and Arnold, Rafflesia arnoldii. The flower has 33 species in the world and 14 of them grow in Indonesia and 11 species is Sumatran endemic plant.