Rafflesia manillana, world’s largest flower, was recently found in the lush forest of the Sierra Madre in Aurora by a team of biodiversity experts.
| MANILA, Philippines – The Rafflesia manillana, world’s largest flower, was spotted recently in the lush woodlands of the Sierra Madre in Aurora.
When Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) forester Max Millan Jr. saw the beautiful flora during a routine biological survey, he was left with just three words to say: ”It was beautiful,” he said. The team, led by Dr. Edwin Tadiosa, found the Rafflesia flower while documenting reptiles and amphibians inside the 5,000-hectare Aurora Memorial National Park. “The flower is in full bloom, with a diameter of 17 centimeters,” Millan added. DENR regional executive director Maximo Dichoso said the Rafflesia manillana, which is only found in the country, is in DENR’s List of Threatened Species. “The presence of this flower only proves the rich biodiversity in Aurora’s forests,” said Dichoso, adding that this parasitic plant can also be found in Mt. Natib in Bataan, Mt. Makiling in Laguna, Mt. Labo in Bicol, and Samar Island Natural Park in Samar. Considered critically endangered, Rafflesia manillana is a genus of tropical parasitic plants that do not contain a chlorophyll, which means it is incapable of photosynthesis. Scientists estimate that there are 17 Rafflesia species throughout Southeast Asia. Rafflesia manillana is big, but a little smaller compared to another variety, the R. arnoldii, found in Indonesia. The R. arnoldii can grow crowns up to a meter across and can grow up to 12 feet high and weighs up to 11 kilos. In the Philippines, there are at least 11 recognized species of Rafflesia, four of which are found in Luzon. The biodiversity expedition found at least 304 species of plants and 142 species of animals thriving in the 17,000-hectare forests in Central Luzon’s tallest mountain, including six other plant species that can only be found in Luzon. |
| http://pinaspataas.blogspot.com/ |
Awesome people SHARE this post. BE AWESOME! |
