Species of Rafflesia were found at Mt. Irid-Angilo during the conduct of Lawin Patrol at Protected Areas in Rizal the Kaliwa River Forest Reserved and the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape.

Rafflesia (Rafflesiaceae) is a small endo-holoparasitic Asian plant genus known for its exceptionally large flowers, rare species, and high island endemism.

Rafflesia lagascae is a species with a disjunct distribution on Luzon Island while Rafflesia philippensis is known from only five locations on Mt. Banahaw on Luzon. The species grows on Tetrastigma roots at or below the ground level. It is one of the small-flowered Rafflesia species, with floral diameters ranging from 17 to 27 cm, thus is similar in size to R. baletei, R. lobata and R. manillana.

Rafflesia is threatened by deforestation, habitat loss as well as poaching. The Plant cannot grow in captivity, and, as most occurrences of Rafflesia contain only male or female flowers, pollination is rare.   

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(Photo by KRFR)

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Parent Category: News & Events
Category: Photo Releases
Published: 15 June 2022