It appears to have fur, whiskers and teeth. Its blood-red surface is tough and warty, and it reeks of death. But this is no animal… Rafflesia is also known as the stinking corpse lily because of its powerful scent: rotting meat. But why has it picked this...

Giant water lilies clear competition from the water’s surface by wielding their buds like a club. Once clear, they claim their space and grow up to 20cm a day. Their leaves can measure around 2m across, blocking out the light from anything below the surfa...