Rafflesiaceae

The family as here circumscribed covers the genera Mitrastema (1 species), Rafflesia (13), and Rhizanthes (2), all parasitic plants. The logo of Flora Malesiana is based on Rafflesia and is found on most of our publications. The general part of the treatment covers 10 pages and includes paragraphs on palynology by R.W.J.M. van der Ham, and on phytochemistry by R. Hegnauer. Family, genera, and Malesian species are described and annotated. Keys to the genera and species are given. Under Rafflesia a historical review of the discovery of this remarkable genus is given, and also a paragraph on ex situ cultivation. The name Rafflesia titan Jack is considered to be an incompletely known species. One new combination is formally made, on p. 23: Rafflesia arnoldii R. Brown var. atjehensis (Koord.) Meijer, comb. et stat. nov. (Basionym: Rafflesia atjehensis Koord.) Illustration is (apart from the cover photo) by 4 half-page colour photographs, 3 black/ white photographs, and 8 line drawings mostly less than full-page.