Friday, October 11, 2013

Fascinating Rafflesia - PhotoHunt

Rafflesia plant
63 cm Rafflesia in bloom

PhotoHunt theme : A Close Up/Plant

Absolutely have to share this. My Malaysian doctor friend discovered this rare Rafflesia in a tropical forest during a hiking trip.

Rafflesia, among the world's largest flower, is nicknamed corpse flower. The flower smells like rotting flesh. I won't want to stand near it :)

P1020160
Mas Cotek (Ficus Deltoidea)

My close up shot of our local version of viagra or tongkat Ali. lol

Mas Cotek is used in traditional Malay healing preparations. As a drink, it is believed to be good for reducing blood sugar level, regulating blood pressure. It also reduces joints and nerves pains; cholesterol and removes toxins in our bodies.

21 comments:

  1. It looks beautiful! I am glad I cannot smell it...lol. Happy weekend, ECL!

    photohunts

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  2. Creepy looking and stinky! I would still love to see one one day :) I like your pic of the healing plant too. :) I am allergic to a lot of the western medicines so I rely on plants like the one you have pictured :) Cheers and have a great weekend ECL!

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    1. I would love to see a Rafflesia too despite it being stinky.
      There are lots of natural herbs and traditional healing methods here in Asia which might help your condition.

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    2. That I agree.

      My parents are quite well versed in traditional herbs but unfortunately I have yet learn much from them.

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    3. Wow, your parents are treasures of wisdom and knowledge. You should learn from them and teach me.

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  3. that leaf could be taken as tea, or is there already one in the market. it has many medicinal benefits.

    i've heard of the corpse flower. i'm curious to see one in person :)

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    1. I am not familiar with traditional herbs. I joined a heritage trail to learn about our local herbs which are used in traditional cures. I am not sure if it is marketed commercially.

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  4. And where did you take the photo of the Tongkat Ali? ;b

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    1. Fort Canning Park, there are quite a number of exotic and unique plants here.

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    2. Another part of Singapore I don't think I've been to... ;)

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  5. I didn't know that. It must be helpful. :D

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    1. I didn't know that too. I need to learn more from my Malay friends where to buy Mas Cotek and how to make the drink.

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  6. The Rafflesia looks beautiful and really very special. As I never smelled rotting flesh, I would rather go near to it to know how it stinks. I only saw rotting corpses in crime stories, and our TV hasn't a "smell" program yet !

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    1. Rafflesia flower looks pretty. You are so funny! I don't think rotting corpse stink is good for smelling. I hope future technology would come up with a smell program :)

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  7. I wonder how dead corpse smells like LOL, should at least experience and see. Did you smell the flower? :D

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  8. The rafflesia is so beautiful. A great choice to feature.

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  9. Hi ECL, how can something that looks so colorful and pretty smell like rotting flesh. Yikes. I think it's cool how some plants can be used to heal. Wonderful take and beautiful close-ups.

    Have a great weekend.

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  10. Corpus plant doesn't grow around here. When we were out cutting firewwod. I got sent of a skunk.
    Coffee is on

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  11. What a cool plant! I love the color. Funny that something so lovely smells so bad. :)

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  12. What a cool flower! I suppose the rotting smell attracts the flies needed for pollination? Great info.!

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