The flowers have been seen growing in remote areas around Jorong Aia Tabik, Kamang Mudiak Village, Kamang Magek Sub-district, Agam District.
"In Buo hamlet, there are at least six rare plants that can be seen, namely three main corpse flowers, two Rafflesia flowers, and the newest and the most bizarre is a fruit-bearing corpse flower," Win (58), a resident of Kamang Mudiak Village, said on Wednesday.
A Rafflesia arnoldii flower bulb has also been seen in Saga Buruak, he added. The rare flower is smaller in diameter than the one discovered in the Buo area, he continued.
The Rafflesia growing on Buo hill has three weevils, with one rotting knob measuring 40 cm in diameter. The other two have small humps, which are expected to grow soon, Win said.
In Sonsang hills, located quite far from Aia Tabik, a corpse flower bloomed a week ago, he claimed.
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The rare plants have been found growing in fairly steep, remote areas with a difficult terrain, he said.
Buo and Saga Buruak, located about 5 km from residential areas, can only be traversed by two-wheeled trail-type vehicles, he informed.
Win, who represents local residents, said he hopes that the forest where the rare plants are growing could be protected.
"We are sorry that the fruit of the corpse flower which has just been found was damaged, and so was the stem, (perhaps the work of) an irresponsible person," he added.
Win said the corpse flower is not only unique because it is bearing fruit, but also because it is growing far from the parent stem.
"Apart from being fruitful (bearing fruit), this corpse flower is growing about 10 meters from the parent stem and is on the rocks," he elaborated.
Meanwhile, head of the Bukittinggi Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA), Vera Ciko, said she is looking into the discovery of the fruit-bearing corpse flower.
"My team and I have secured the location of this unique corpse flower and will put up a barrier so that this rare plant can be monitored," she informed.
KSDA will put up an information board and build a safety fence, because the flower is protected by Law Number 5 of 1990 concerning Conservation of Natural Resources and their Ecosystems, she added.
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Translator: Altas Maulana, Fardah
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
