Philippine Native Plants: Rafflesia banahawensis

Scientific name: Rafflesia banahawensis Madulid, Villariba-Tolentino & Agoo

Family: Rafflesiaceae

MANILA, Philippines - Distribution and Habitat: Mt. Banahaw, Laguna side. In lowland rainforest near a waterfall. Endemic.

Description: Immature bud to 7 cm diameter, with bracts or scales below. Open flower 29.to 32 cm diameter. Perigone lobes reddish, with warts white, oval, elongated horizontally, the margins with white lining. Upper surface of diaphragm same color as lobes; with a network of interconnected thin, raised, white structures. The inner margin with distinct white lining; Windows present in the undersurface, in 2 rows. Ramenta on lower part of perigone tube present. Disk to 7 cm diameter; with raised rim. Processes reddish; arranged in a ring,. Male flowers with 14-17 anthers.

Conservation Notes: This species is parasitic to Tetrastigma pisicarpum, a forest vine. There are only two known populations in the mountain known so far and these are located near a trail leading to a popular waterfall. There is an imminent danger that the population, consisting mostly of small flower buds, may be trampled by unwary travelers and visitors to the park, thus the need for its urgent protection and conservation. Since the plant is parasitic to its host plant these vines must be preserved and protected too. It is considered a Critically Endangered species.

Photo Credit: C. Villariba-Tolentino

Reference: Madulid,D.A, C. Villariba-Tolentino and M.G.Agoo. 2006. Rafflesia banahawensis, a new species from Luzon (Philippines). Philippine Scientist 43:43-51.

For further information contact: Domingo A. Madulid, Philippine National Museum, Botany Division, P. Burgos St., Manila. Tel. 5271218. Email: [email protected]