Rediscovered "Corpse Flower" Sparks Campaign to Drop Colonial Name

The rediscovery of a giant, foul-smelling flower in Indonesia has revived a campaign to change the plant's colonial-era scientific name. Researchers found a rare Rafflesia hasseltii bloom last month in a West Sumatran forest. This species is part of the Rafflesia genus, famous for its large size and odor of rotting meat, which earns it the "corpse flower" nickname. The find has energized scientists and activists. They seek to remove the association with Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, a British colonial official. Raffles is historically linked to the founding of colonial Singapore. The plant genus was named for him in the 19th century. Campaigners argue the name honors a controversial colonial figure. They say it overlooks the contributions of local experts and the plant's native habitat in Southeast Asia. The push aims to rename the genus with a term reflecting its Indigenous origins.