Rafflesia schadenbergiana

Rafflesia schadenbergiana
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Rafflesiaceae
Genus: Rafflesia
Species: R. schadenbergiana
Binomial name
Rafflesia schadenbergiana
Goepp.

Rafflesia schadenbergiana is a parasitic plant species of the genus Rafflesia. Known as "bó-o" to the Bagobo tribe and "kolon busaw" to the Higaonon tribe of Bukidnon, it has the largest flower among the Rafflesia species found in the Philippines with a diameter ranging from 52-80 centimeters.[1][2] It has also the second largest flower in the genus after R. arnoldii.

This species was first collected in the vicinity of Mount Apo, Mindanao during an expedition led by Schandenberg and Koch in 1882.[2] It was not seen for more than a century and was assumed to be extinct[3] until Pascal Lays found a population of this species on Mount Matutum, South Cotabato in 1994 while studying the Tasadays. A population of this rare Rafflesia species was recently discovered in Baungon, Bukidnon, just outside of the buffer zone of the Mount Kitanglad Natural Park in 2007.[1][4]. For more information about the remarkable species, see the review in the following citation[5].

R. schadenbergiana is endemic to the island of Mindanao, Philippines.

References

  1. ^ a b Barcelona, Julie F.. "Rafflesia". Philippine Native Plant Conservation Society, Inc.. http://philippinenativeplants.org/site/index.php/Rafflesia.html. Retrieved 2008-12-08. 
  2. ^ a b Barcelona, Julie; Perlser (Pieter). "Rafflesia schanderbergiana Goeppert". Protected Area and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. http://pawb.denr.gov.ph/uploaded_files/RschadenbergianaPAWB.pdf. Retrieved 2008-12-17. 
  3. ^ Fuentes, Art (2006-04-05). "Raffesia mira: yet another reason to be proud of the Philippines!". Haribon Foundation. http://www.haribon.org.ph/?q=node/view/342. Retrieved 2008-12-08. 
  4. ^ Searcy, Karen (2008-11-17). "New England Botanical Club 1038th Minutes of Meeting". New England Botanical Club. http://www.rhodora.org/Summaries/2008/Nov08sum.pdf. Retrieved 2008-12-17. 
  5. ^ Barcelona, J. F.; P. B Pelser, D. S. Balete, and L. L. Co. (October, 2009). "Taxonomy, ecology, and conservation status of Philippine Rafflesia (Rafflesiaceae)". Blumea 54: 77-94: 17. doi:10.3767/000651909X474122. http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/nhn/blumea/2009/00000054/F0030001/art00016. 

External links