rəˌflēz(h)ēˈāsēˌē, raˌ- noun plural
Usage: capitalized
Etymology: New Latin, from Rafflesia, type genus + -aceae
: a family of endotrophic parasitic plants (order Aristolochiales) found chiefly in warm regions of the Old World and sometimes in Mexico that lack stems, have imbricated scales in place of leaves, and have apetalous flowers emerging from the host and having five to ten calyx lobes
• raf·fle·si·a·ceous ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷|āshəs adjective