FAMILIES OF FLOWERING PLANTS. 91 
which develop from buds parasitic on various trees and shrubs, The 
stem and leaves are wholly wanting; the whole plant consists of a sin- 
gle flower, often of gigantic size, which gradually develops, ripens its 
seed and perishes. By far the most celebrated genus is Rafflesca, con- 
taining about 6 species, natives of Java, Sumatra, Borneo and the 
Philippine Islands. They grow exclusively on various species of Cis- 
sus, a genus allied to our grapes. Figure 75 gives a good idea of the 
general appearance of the flower, the species being 2. Arnoldi, the 
original type of the genus. 
The flowers have a 5-cleft calyx, usually globular or cup-shaped, 
sometimes saucer-shaped, with numerous stamens borne on a central 
column. Some species of Rafflesia have flowers of gigantic size, 
measuring several feet in diameter; the buds resemble huge cabbages. 
They are usually foul smelling and decay easily. 
Family Hydnoraceae. Hydnora Family. A group of fungus- 
like fleshy parasites consisting of two genera and about 8 species, na- 
tives of South Africa. 
