Actually, it's a very good question. Rafflesia certainly acts more like a fungus than a plant. It doesn't photosynthesize or have traditional roots, instead getting it's nutrients and energy as a parasite burrowing into certain vines.
I'm sure there are many more reasons which could be explained by a botanist (which I am NOT), but I think one of reasons it's considered a plant is that it reproduces like other typical plants (i.e. with a pistil, stamen, pollen, etc.). It's DNA is a much more compelling case still. Examining its DNA (mitochondrial and nuclear) it is clear that it is a direct descendent from non-parasitic photosynthesizing plants of the order Malpighiales. Once rafflesia found its parasitic food source, apparently it's vestigial leaves, stems, and roots eventually simply evolved out of it.
All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:59 AM. |