A beautiful, rare and relatively unknown parasitic plant can be found between December and February at Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary, Chaiyaphum. It is known as the Himalayan Sapria and feeds off other plants, by attaching its special roots to other plants and literally sucking the life out of them. Little is known about how it pollintates though it is possible that, due to the rotting smell it gives off, it attracts flies which move from plant to plant to pollintate. The flowers are around 20 cm and looks stunning. If you ever get the chance go and see this plant, though you must be accompanied by a ranger.
Fully in bloom. It has 10 petals and looks beautiful against the black mud.
Close up on the inside ... where that horrible smell comes from.
Close up of another flower not fully open.
The flowers only last a few days. Here you can see the full process. A bud (on the right), a fully opened specimen (left), one that has gone black, and and far more decomposed specimen.
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