Question

Rafflesia arnoldii is its botanical name and it holds a world record in the plant world. What’s the record?

• A. Tallest cacti
• B. Largest bloom
• C. Longest surviving tree
• D. Smallest plant

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1 — Recall the plant mentioned:
The botanical name given is Rafflesia arnoldii. This rare and unique plant is native to the rainforests of Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia, Malaysia, and surrounding regions.

Step 2 — What is its unique feature?
Rafflesia arnoldii is famous for producing the largest single flower in the world. The diameter of the bloom can reach up to 3 feet (about 1 meter) and it can weigh around 7–10 kilograms. This makes it a world record holder in terms of size of the bloom.

Step 3 — Additional details about the bloom:
• The flower emits a strong odor similar to rotting flesh, which is why it is also called the “corpse flower.”
• This foul smell attracts carrion flies, which help in pollination.
• It is a parasitic plant, meaning it has no leaves, stems, or roots of its own. It survives by attaching itself to a host vine for nutrients.

Step 4 — Eliminate other possible records:
• It is not the tallest tree (that record belongs to redwood trees).
• It is not the fastest-growing plant (that’s bamboo).
• It is not the longest-living plant (some bristlecone pines live for thousands of years).
Thus, its correct and unique world record is having the **largest bloom**.

Final Answer:
The correct option is (B): Largest bloom.