Philippine conservationists have discovered a rare Rafflesia flower in full bloom deep within the Allah Valley Protected Landscape forest. It is the largest specimen ever recorded in this conservation area.
Field officers from the Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) photographed and measured the dark red, five-petaled parasitic flower Rafflesia schadenbergiana, notable for its thick texture and massive size, with a diameter of 93 centimeters, or about 3 feet, making it the largest flower ever found in this protected area.
Rafflesia schadenbergiana is colloquially called the “corpse flower” due to its faint smell of decaying flesh that attracts pollinating insects. It is a parasitic plant with no leaves, stem, or true roots, living exclusively inside vines of the genus Tetrastigma, which makes it extremely rare to find.
This discovery occurred within a strictly protected area, underscoring the crucial role of conservation efforts in this habitat. The species has a very limited natural range, found only in parts of Davao, Bukidnon, and South Cotabato provinces.
Rafflesia schadenbergiana was first discovered in 1882 by German naturalist Dr. Alexander Schadenberg near Mount Apo and was scientifically described by German botanist Heinrich Gustav Adolf Engler in 1886.
Currently, this plant is classified as Critically Endangered (CR) and is recognized as the largest Rafflesia species in the Philippines and the second largest in the world.
Source: viralpress
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