Article: Blooming pride of Malaysia

Wednesday June 10, 2009

BY NIK NAIZI HUSIN

Deep in the jungle:Only four-wheel drive vehicles can be driven into the area. However, trekking to the place is advisable as the road is narrow and parking space is limited.

RAUB: Many Malaysians do not fully appreciate the rich flora and fauna found in the country, said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.

She added that during her recent visit to Kew Gardens in London, she was told by an environmentalist there that many species of his vast collection of flora and fauna were sourced from forests in Malaysia.

Beautiful:A file picture of a rafflesia in full bloom.

Dr Ng said the person then said how lucky she was to originate from a country rich with flora and fauna.

"I was attracted to his statement. I feel sad that many in Malaysia are not concerned about this kind of heritage we have in our own backyard," she said during her visit to the Lata Jarum recreational park in Hulu Dong, here recently.

In Lata Jarum, among the attractions is the rafflesia flower located deep in the forest.

Dr Ng said the rafflesia flower in Lata Jarum had been growing there for years, but that she only found out about it from a friend who recently visited the area.

The rafflesia in Lata Jarum belongs to the "cantleyi'' species - a kind of parasite plant.

Short life: The rafflesia dies after seven days.

The cantleyi species of rafflesia can also be found on Tioman Island and some other forest areas in the peninsula.

In Lata Jarum, the rafflesia is 60cm in diameter and blooms for seven days.

On its third day of bloom, its vibrant colour will start to brown and after its seventh day, the flower dies.

Othman said Lata Jarum park is popular for its waterfall and is visited by hundreds of tourists, both locals and foreigners, weekly.

The place is one of the popular tourist destinations and located in Gunung Benom Forest Reserve area.

This article was taken from: The Star Online: Metro: South & East 13 June 2009