Chris Thorogood, a botanist and Associate Professor of Biology at Oxford University, began his ambitious expedition deep in the Sumatran jungle with Indonesian researchers and foresters with a goal in mind: spot the rarest flowers and plant life to exist on the planet. Thorogood documented his remarkable journey on Elon Musk-owned social media platform X, where the University professor received copious love and support from fellow flora enthusiasts who were blessed with photos and videos from the wilderness. Then, the magic happened. Thorogood and his spirited team discovered the very rare but otherworldly Rafflesia hasseltii.
The team rejoiced, wept, and breathed a sigh of relief. Their expedition deep in the tiger-infested forest had the extreme
high.
However, when Thorogood’s employer, the University of Oxford, shared the team’s achievement with a montage of the unique flower, things were about to get ugly.
Chris Thorogood’s Journey
Thorogood’s X exploded with likes and shares as he gave an insight to the outside world what he and the Indonesian team members spotted during their tiring hike.
“Today we found something magical, deep in the wild green heart of Sumatra: Rafflesia kemumu in full bloom. One of the world’s largest flowers, to see this extremely rare species in full bloom is truly special.
Today we found something magical, deep in the wild green heart of Sumatra: Rafflesia kemumu in full bloom. One of the world's largest flowers, to see this extremely rare species in full bloom is truly special. pic.twitter.com/B3QQW7owZj
— Chris Thorogood (@thorogoodchris1) November 16, 2025
“Deep in the Sumatran jungle today we found the extraordinary flowers of Rhizanthes pushing their fangs through the forest floor. A sap-sucking, leafless parasite, this is one of the world’s weirdest plants,” the professor wrote as his hike brought him up close with Rhizanthes.
Deep in the Sumatran jungle today we found the extraordinary flowers of Rhizanthes pushing their fangs through the forest floor. A sap-sucking, leafless parasite, this is one of the world's weirdest plants. pic.twitter.com/yjeEr2cRFk
— Chris Thorogood (@thorogoodchris1) November 16, 2025
“We Found It”
During their adventure, the team discovered something truly special. Rafflesia hasseltii. Called “devil’s vegetable” by the locals, Rafflesia hasseltii can weigh up to 10-11kg. However, the flower bears no stems or leaves. The buds swell and open in just one night, making it a treat to watch.
The petals are thick and have a leather texture, and they have witnessed more tigers than humans around them.
The Oxford professor stated that their ambitious trek through the days and nights of Sumatran rainforests infested with tigers was all worth it as only a handful of humans had ever seen it before, let alone watch it open at night.
WE FOUND IT! We trekked day and night through tiger-patrolled Sumatran rainforests accessible only under permit for this: Rafflesia hasseltii. Few people have ever seen this flower, and we watched it open by night. Magic. pic.twitter.com/1GzJeW4OlN
— Chris Thorogood (@thorogoodchris1) November 19, 2025
It was truly a special, yet overwhelming experience. One team member was overcome with emotion as he sat in the same frame with Rafflesia hasseltii.
“A life-changing encounter in Sumatra: Rafflesia hasseltii grows in just a few remote, tiger-patrolled rainforests, accessible only under permit and seen by few. We trekked day and night to find it, and look what happened when we did:”
A life-changing encounter in Sumatra: Rafflesia hasseltii grows in just a few remote, tiger-patrolled rainforests, accessible only under permit and seen by few. We trekked day and night to find it, and look what happened when we did: pic.twitter.com/8RpiXZSFgD
— Chris Thorogood (@thorogoodchris1) November 19, 2025
Thorogood thanked the foresters and his team for the once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Special thanks to the foresters of West Sumatra – especially Pak Iwan and Bang Deki – for sharing their special flower with us: we'll never forget it x pic.twitter.com/uRONuTErzw
— Chris Thorogood (@thorogoodchris1) November 19, 2025
Thank you Pak Saikul, friends and family, for making me so welcome and for sharing your special flower with us 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/dx3HSmEExs
— Chris Thorogood (@thorogoodchris1) November 20, 2025
University Of Oxford And Backlash
The University of Oxford, where botanist Thorogood works as Associate Professor of Biology, shared the achievement on X.
“Rafflesia hasseltii: A plant seen more by tigers than people. Yesterday, Oxford Botanic Garden’s @thorogoodchris1 was part of a team that trekked day and night through tiger-patrolled Sumatran (an island in Indonesia) rainforests to find Rafflesia hasseltii.”
Their post quickly sparked intense backlash from the community and was immediately flagged by other users on the platform.
“This post lacks recognition for Indonesian collaborators. The expedition that discovered the blooming Rafflesia hasseltii in Sumatra’s rainforests was a collaborative effort involving Indonesian researchers and local guides, including Joko Witono, Septi Andriki, and Iswandi,” the community note read.
“Write The Names”
Livid by the exclusion of names and perhaps the lack of acknowledgement of Thorogood’s team of researchers and foresters who had embarked upon the journey together, irked users on X voiced their anger without mincing any words.
“WRITE THE NAME OF THE INDONESIAN RESEARCHERS, COLONIZERS,” a comment under the University of Oxford’s post read.
“Hello, can you provide the name of an Indonesian researcher from Indonesia? How come big institutions like Oxford can’t appreciate local researchers and didn’t mention them? It’s not only researchers from Oxford but also Joko Wistono and Iswandi from Indonesia (sic),” wrote a second.
Please give justice to the team members from Indonesia as well. They have worked together to find the flower. pic.twitter.com/B2WNGuG9AJ
— Risrisriszzz (@pokonyaaaang) November 23, 2025
It was a collaborative effort as they bitterly complained that the university had “stolen the limelight”.
https://t.co/UVxcyGDRFY pic.twitter.com/UkPyXkD4Ix
— neohistoria Indonesia (@neohistoria_id) November 23, 2025
“It’s how England stole everything from around world.. Their oldest university show to us.. (sic)”
