Researchers issue urgent call to save the world’s largest flower -Rafflesia - from extinction

Dr Chris Thorogood with Rafflesia arnoldii, the largest flower in the world, in Sumatra. Dr Chris Thorogood with Rafflesia arnoldii, the largest flower in the world, in Sumatra. To address these threats, the researchers recommend that all Rafflesia species are immediately added to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It is thought that Rafflesia species still remain undocumented, while others have gone extinct before they were even known to science. These activities could be developed as a template to disseminate to areas where community involvement with Rafflesia conservation is scarce.