Rare Rafflesia hasseltii Bloom Found in West Sumatra After 13 Years of Search

West Sumatra, El Sky News — A rare and emotional discovery has captivated the world after the Rafflesia hasseltii, a parasitic flower known for its enormous size and tiger-like patterned petals, was found in full bloom on November 19, 2025. The flower was discovered in the remote Hiring Batang Somi area, Sumpur Kudus, Sijunjung Regency.

Background of the Discovery

The expedition was led by Dr. Chris Thorogood, a botanist from the University of Oxford, together with local guide and conservationist Septian “Deki” Andriki from Bengkulu. The discovery marked the culmination of 13 years of persistent search and monitoring in Sumatra’s dense rainforest.

Emotional Moment in the Forest

Upon spotting the blooming flower, Deki was reportedly overwhelmed with emotion, reflecting years of effort, hope, and tension in the rainforest. A video released by the University of Oxford captures the team’s heartfelt reactions as the Rafflesia gradually opened its petals during the night.

Oxford tweeted: “Rafflesia hasseltii, a plant more often seen by tigers than humans.”

Scientific Facts & Unique Features

• Rafflesia hasseltii, sometimes called the “Tiger-Faced Corpse Flower,” is one of 14 Rafflesia species in Indonesia and among the hardest to locate.
• Its life cycle is unusual: it can take 2–3.5 years developing inside its host plant before emerging, and each bloom lasts only about one week.
• The flower’s striking appearance and brief bloom period make in-situ observation extremely rare and valuable for scientific study.

People Behind the Discovery

• Deki Andriki, the local guide, expressed deep gratitude to his team and family for supporting the long quest.
• Dr. Chris Thorogood, a botanist fascinated by parasitic plants since childhood, collaborated closely with Deki, even consulting via Instagram to locate and study the flower.

Conservation Impact

The viral discovery highlights the fragility of Rafflesia hasseltii’s habitat and the importance of rainforest conservation in Sumatra. Deki hopes the viral attention will encourage protection of the forest, emphasizing: “Let it go viral, but don’t damage its habitat.”

Botanists note that such blooms are invaluable for studying the species in the wild and increasing public awareness of biodiversity.