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The Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew in England has a very detailed profile of the rafflesia plant. According to Kew, this plant is native to southeastern Asia and is actually a parasitic plant. It has the distinction of being the largest flower in the world. The flowers smell like rotting flesh which attracts carrion-flies who pollinate the flowers. The flower buds can be used as medicine, but some of the medicinal uses are believed to be tied to superstition more than to sound medical science. Small mammals are able to eat the berries produced from the flower. More than anything though, rafflesia has become a popular symbol and pictures of it are published in tourist brochures and on postage stamps. Ecotourism revenue that helps support local residents is also generated from tourists who visit forested areas to see rafflesia flowers in the wild.
I also read through a short encyclopedia-style article on The National Library Board of Singapore's Infopedia website. It says that rafflesia flower buds are eaten as a delicacy in Thailand. It also gives several specific examples of how the rafflesia is used as a medicine: childbirth, energy drink, aphrodisiac. This website agrees with Kew in saying that there is no scientific evidence to support the claim of any actual medical powers. Ironically, several potentially toxic chemicals have been identified within the buds and flowers. So, you may want to think twice before eating a rafflesia!
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What activities can you do in a rainforest?
You could go to a rainforest to observe butterflies, birds, and flowers.
Do butterflies live in the tropical rainforest?
Yes
How are butterflies adapted to the rainforest?
because they can fly
Do butterflies live in the rainforest's?
Yes, some do.
What are some butterflies in a rainforest?
glass wind
Why can't owl butterflies be found out of the rainforest?
Because they like the light and there is no light in the rainforest.
How do morpho butterflies adapt to the rainforest?
they shave there legs
Does a butterfly live in the rainforest?
well.. butterflies have WINGS, which help them fly. so they could FLY into the rainforest.
What kinds of herbivores are in the tropical rainforest?
there are turtles, hummingbirds, and butterflies
How do butterflies help the world?
Butterflies are important in the rainforest because they help to move pollen from place to place. This allows many different kinds of plants to be fertilized, insuring a new generation of plants.
What rainforest animal begins with the letter M?
· Monarch Butterflies · Mosquitos
What kind of species are in the rainforest?
jaguar, toucan, all kinds of butterflies, monkeys, etc.
