Rafflesia \Raf*fle"si*a\ (r[a^]f*fl[=e]"zh[i^]*[.a]), n. [NL.
Named from its discoverer, Sir S. Raffles.] (Bot.)
A genus of stemless, leafless plants, living parasitically
upon the roots and stems of grapevines in Malaysia. The
flowers have a carrionlike odor, and are very large, in one
species ({Rafflesia Arnoldi}) having a diameter of two or
three feet.
[1913 Webster]