JAKARTA - Two Rafflesia Arnoldii flowers have bloomed again simultaneously in the Selamat Sudiarjo Village area, Bermani Ulu District, Rejang Lebong Regency, Bengkulu, since Saturday (22/11). This rare natural phenomenon has attracted the attention of flora lovers and tourists who want to witness firsthand the bloom of the largest flower in the world.
The head of the Puspa Langka Care Group (KPPL) Rejang Lebong, Tedi Riski, when contacted on Sunday, said that apart from the two flowers that were perfectly open, there was one knop or another flower that was expected to follow the bloom in the coming weeks.
"There are two lobster Arnoldii flowers, and the other one is still in the form of an active knop. This shows its habitat in Selamat Sudiarjo Village, the location of this growth is very healthy and productive," said Tedi.
He explained that access to the location was quite challenging, but visitors could still reach it. From Curup City, the distance to Selamat Sudiarjo Village is about 25 kilometers and can be reached by two-wheeled and four-wheeled vehicles.
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"The location is from Selamat Sudiarjo Village about 3 km using a two-wheeled vehicle, then the route is about 20 minutes to the point of bloom," he explained.
Visitors are also reminded to be careful when passing the route to the flower location, because its position is on a fairly steep slope with a slope of almost 60 degrees and the condition of slippery soil. Around the flower bloom area there are also many Rafflesia knops that are prone to damage if stepped on.
"Around this flower area, it grows, there are many Rafflesia knops that are prone to being trampled on. In recent years, this location has often been a place where Rafflesia Arnoldii blooms. Therefore, visitors must preserve their habitat," said Tedi.
Meanwhile, community leader Bermani Ulu, Saikul Latief, said the area had been known as Rafflesia's habitat since 2019. Currently, there are seven active growing points out of a total of nine locations that have been identified.
"Here almost every month blooms. In Selamat Sudiarjo Village, there are now seven of the nine locations where the Rafflesia Flower grows, the other two locations have disappeared because the host where it grows is damaged," said Saikul.
He assessed that the area has great potential to be developed into a natural tourist destination. The interest of foreign tourists is quite high.
"Those who came yesterday from Oxford University England, then from Russia, India, China, the Philippines and several other countries. They came all the way to see this giant flower bloom first hand, it's a shame if the local government and related agencies don't develop it," he said.
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