AntaraBengkulu (ANTARA) - Several rangers and elephant tamers of the Elephant Training Center in Seblat Eco-tourism Park in North Bengkulu District, Bengkulu Province, were lucky to spot a Rafflesia flower that had attained full bloom in the park.
"During a patrol of the park, the elephant tamers discovered a new habitat of Rafflesia sp.," Damin, the Seblat Elephant Training Center’s coordinator, remarked here, Monday.
Gauging its color and size, the newly spotted Rafflesia flower appears to differ from other Rafflesia arnoldii species, he noted.
The flower has a pale red color and measures just 43.6 centimeters (cm) in diameter, in comparison with Rafflesia arnoldii that generally appears reddish orange in color and measures 90 cm across.
This discovery necessitates a study to confirm if this Rafflesia differs from the species of Rafllesia arnoldii, Raffesia bengkuluensis, and Rafflesia kemumu, according to Damin.
The new flower was found some 3.6 kilometers from the training center.
"In addition to enjoying the Sumatran elephant attractions, visitors can now get to witness the Rafflesia sp. habitat," he pointed out.
In addition to the flower in full bloom, several buds were spotted and expected to bloom in the next several days around the area.
EDITED BY INE
Translator: Helti MS, Fardah
Editor: Eliswan Azly
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
