Examining microflora dynamic linked to female Rafflesia Kerri in Lojing Highland, Kelantan

The Rafflesia genus, found in the Rafflesiaceae family in the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia, is the largest flower in the world. Rafflesia kerri Meijer, found in the Lojing Highlands, is a holoparastic species that depends on Tetrastigma trees for survival, protection, and nutrition, just like other species in this genus. The bacterial population in Rafflesia kerri was sampled to assess microflora density in response to varying conditions of the Rafflesia kerri pollen bloom stage. The study was conducted to evaluate microflora density and biochemical activity in response to various stages of Rafflesia kerri flowering. Analysis of three female flowers at different blooming stages revealed a variation in bacterial composition of 55.56% gram-positive and 44.44% gram-negative. The study concluded that the microbiological activity of the bacteria affects its smell, helping to attract flies of the Diptera family for the pollination process. Additionally, the Rafflesia flower, known for its unique characteristics, is the largest individual flower in the world, with some species reaching over three feet in diameter. It is known for its foul smell, often likened to the smell of rotting meat, which attracts flies for pollination. Rafflesia flowers have no stems, leaves and roots, relying on their host plants for nutrients and support. These distinctive features make the Rafflesia flower an interesting subject of study in the botanical world.