[Botany • 2023] Most of the World's Largest Flowers (Genus Rafflesia) are now on the Brink of Extinction

Map showing the diversity in the genus Rafflesia across the Malesian Floristic Region.
 Photos/illustrations credits: Indonesia (Rafflesia arnoldii, R. bengkuluensis – AB Tobias; R. gadutensis – Septian Andriki; R. hassletii – Jeremy Holden; R. micropylora – Jan Vrsovsky; R. patma – BRIN; R. rochussenii – BBTN Gede Pangarango);
 Malaysia (Rafflesia azlanii, R. cantleyi, R. kerrii, R. tiomanensis – Siti-Munirah MY; R. pricei, R. keithii – CJ Thorogood; R. tuan-mudae – Anthonia Chia);
Philippines (Rafflesia aurantia, R. lobata, R. manillana, R. mixta – drawn by ABT based on photos of Danilo S. Balete, Renee Galang, SINP PAMO and CENRO Tubod; R. banaoana, R. consueloae, R. baletei, R. banahawensis, R. panchoana – AB Tobias; R. leonardi – Erwin Agbayani; R. mira – Celine Murillo; R.speciosa – PL Malabrigo; R. schadenbergiana – Ramil Alcala; R. verrucosa – Sidic Nobair);

Base map by Gerald Eduarte.

in Malabrigo, Tobias, Witono, Mursidawati, Susatya, ... et Thorogood, 2023.

DOI: 10.1002/ppp3.10431

Abstract

 Societal Impact Statement: 

Rafflesia is the genus that contains the world's largest flowers. Despite their global appeal, most of the 42 known species are now at risk of extinction. Urgent action is needed to protect these remarkable flowers. A combined approach to conservation is recommended, including a greater level of habitat protection and support for local community action groups. Rafflesia is a suitable new icon for conservation in the Asian tropics.

Summary: 

The genus Rafflesia, which includes the world's largest flowers, has aroused curiosity among scientists for centuries and features prominently in local culture across Southeast Asia. The plant has long been used in ethnobotanical medicine and, more recently, as a source of revenue from ecotourism. But despite its acclaim, Rafflesia remains poorly understood in many respects. Taxonomy is disputed, new species are described each year, and the plant has proven recalcitrant to cultivation. This has hindered conservation, and most of the 42 known species are now severely threatened, yet only one is listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). We estimate that 60% of Rafflesia species face a severe risk of extinction (equivalent to Critically Endangered [CR]). Moreover, we predict that at least 67% of known habitats fall outside protected areas, exacerbating their vulnerability. Alarmingly, recent observations suggest taxa are still being eradicated before they are even known to science. We present recent scientific discoveries and probable extinctions and highlight case studies of conservation success, with a focus on the role of local people. We propose a multi-pronged conservation approach combining strengthened taxonomy, ex situ propagation, ecotourism, and an extension of protected areas. We suggest action devolved to local communities and awareness campaigns linked to social media networks will be crucial outside of protected jurisdictions. Finally, we propose to establish Rafflesia as a new icon for plant conservation in the Asian tropics. A combined approach might just save some of the world's most remarkable flowers, most of which are now on the brink of being lost.

Keywords: conservation, ethnobotany, Flora, Malesiana, parasitic plants, threatened species

Map showing the diversity in the genus Rafflesia across the Malesian Floristic Region.
 Photos/illustrations credits: Indonesia (Rafflesia arnoldii, Rafflesia bengkuluensis – AB Tobias; Rafflesia gadutensis – Septian Andriki; Rafflesia hassletii – Jeremy Holden; Rafflesia micropylora – Jan Vrsovsky; Rafflesia patma – BRIN; Rafflesia rochussenii – BBTN Gede Pangarango);
Malaysia (Rafflesia azlanii, Rafflesia cantleyi, Rafflesia kerrii, Rafflesia tiomanensis – Siti-Munirah MY; Rafflesia pricei, Rafflesia keithii – CJ Thorogood; Rafflesia tuan-mudae – Anthonia Chia);
Philippines (Rafflesia aurantia, Rafflesia lobata, Rafflesia manillana, Rafflesia mixta – drawn by ABT based on photos of Danilo S. Balete, Renee Galang, SINP PAMO and CENRO Tubod; Rafflesia banaoana, Rafflesia consueloae, Rafflesia baletei, Rafflesia banahawensis, Rafflesia panchoana – AB Tobias; Rafflesia leonardi – Erwin Agbayani; Rafflesia mira – Celine Murillo; Rafflesia speciosa – PL Malabrigo; Rafflesia schadenbergiana – Ramil Alcala; Rafflesia verrucosa – Sidic Nobair);

Base map by Gerald Eduarte.

 

Pastor Malabrigo Jr., Adriane B. Tobias, Joko Witono, Sofi Mursidawati, Agus Susatya, Mat Yunoh Siti-Munirah, Adhityo Wicaksono, Reza Raihandhany, Sarah Edwards and Chris J. Thorogood. 2023. Most of the World's Largest Flowers (Genus Rafflesia) are now on the Brink of Extinction. PLANTS, PEOPLE, PLANET. DOI: 10.1002/ppp3.10431

[Botany • 2023] The Reinstatement of Rafflesia banaoana (Rafflesiaceae), and Implications for Assessing Species Diversity and Conservation Requirements of the World's Largest Flowers

Rafflesia banaoana Malabrigo (A.B.Tobias, Thorogood & Malabrigo),  

in Tobias, Thorogood & Malabrigo, 2023.

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.612.2.5  

 twitter.com/Adriane_Tobias 

  twitter.com/OBGHA

Abstract

The Southeast Asian genus Rafflesia (Rafflesiaceae) is famous for possessing the world's largest flowers. All species are rare or threatened, so understanding taxonomic diversity in the genus is crucial for informing effective conservation practice. Here we examine R. banaoana, a poorly known taxon from the remote montane rainforests of the Kalinga Province in the Philippines. This species has been treated as conspecific with R. leonardi, and overlooked in systematic studies. Using stable yet hitherto neglected features such as the stigmatic fascia surface, disk shape, process structure, annulus interior and exterior distinction, and ovary shape, we demonstrate that R. banaoana is morphologically as well as ecologically distinct from R. leonardi, and requires reinstatement at the specific rank. We present our findings in the broader context of complexity in the genus Rafflesia in the Philippines, now considered the center of diversity, with 15 species described to date. We highlight the taxonomically confused R. banaoana as a case for careful observation of previously unexamined morphological characters, as well as ecology, to avoid overlooking cryptic taxa or species complexes and to inform representative sampling in systematic treatments. Such an approach will be essential for enhancing our understanding of the diversity of this enigmatic yet poorly understood genus at a time of unprecedented anthropogenic change and species extinction. In light of our findings, we recommend a holistic approach to the conservation of Rafflesia in the Philippines.

Keywords: biodiversity conservation, endemic, IUCN Red List, parasitic plants, Rafflesia leonardi, Eudicots

   

Adriane B. Tobias, Chris J. Thorogood and Pastor L. Malabrigo Jr. 2023. The Reinstatement of Rafflesia banaoana (Rafflesiaceae), and Implications for Assessing Species Diversity and Conservation Requirements of the World's Largest Flowers.  Phytotaxa. 612(2); 201-216. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.612.2.5

  twitter.com/OBGHA/status/1698982652496273838

  twitter.com/Adriane_Tobias/status/1699068440932462788

  twitter.com/ThorogoodChris1/status/1698984809945608674

P.L. Malabrigo, Jr. 2010. Rafflesia banaoana (Rafflesiaceae): another new species from Luzon, Philippines. Asia Life Sciences-The Asian International Journal of Life Sciences. Suppl. 4: 139–146.

https://parasiticplants.siu.edu/RaffPhil/RaffPhilLit/Malabrigo2010RaffBanaoana.pdf

Etymology. The species is named after the very hospitable and environment-friendly people in Kalinga, the Banao Tribe, whose traditional forest management practice is exemplary. The people of Banao have kept a good forest status of Kalinga for having the least reduction of old-growth forests among the provinces of Cordillera Administrative Region. The most recent forest survey showed that old-growth forests cover more than 85% of the total BBNP area. Further, the locality where the population was discovered is part of the Banao watershed inside the Balbalasang-Balbalan National Park (BBNP). 

[Botany • 2021] Rafflesia tiomanensis (Rafflesiaceae) • A New Species from Pulau Tioman, Pahang, Malaysia

Rafflesia tiomanensis M.Y. Siti-Munirah, A. Salamah & M.S. Razelan 

in Siti-Munirah, Salamah & Razelan, 2021.

  www.mnj.my 

facebook.com/SitiMunirahMITC  

Researchgate.net/publication/349862173 

Abstract 

 A new outstanding species of the parasitic plant, Rafflesia tiomanensis, was discovered on Pulau Tioman, Pahang, Malaysia. R. tiomanensis is characterised by small discrete warts on the perigone lobes, the absence of warts on the diaphragm upper surface, lack of processes on the disk, the absence of disk rims, and the irregular shape whose opening aperture is variably lobed. All other species in Peninsular Malaysia have warts on the diaphragm upper surface, processes, and disk rims. This new species is thus entirely unique. The species description, colour plates, and provisional conservation status are provided.

Key words: endemic, morphology, new species, Pulau Tioman, Rafflesia tiomanensis.

Rafflesia tiomanensis M.Y. Siti-Munirah, A. Salamah & M.S. Razelan sp. nov.

 

      

Siti-Munirah Mat Yunoh, Salamah Ahmad and Razelan Mat Shah. 2021. Rafflesia tiomanensis (Rafflesiaceae), A New Species from Pulau Tioman, Pahang, Malaysia. Malayan Nature Journal. 73(1); 19-26. www.mnj.my

 facebook.com/SitiMunirahMITC/posts/10159308276794962  Spesies baru 

Researchgate.net/publication/349862173_Rafflesia_tiomanensis_a_new_species_from_Pulau_Tioman_Pahang_Malaysia

[Botany • 2019] Sapria myanmarensis • A New Species and A Newly Recorded Taxon of the Genus Sapria (Rafflesiaceae) [Contributions to the Flora of Myanmar IV]

Sapria myanmarensis Nob. Tanaka, Nagam., Tagane & M.M. Aung

in Tanaka, Nagamasu, Tagane, et al., 2019. 

  tai2.ntu.edu.tw/taiwania

 facebook.com/TaiwaniaOffice

Abstract

In the course of our intensive floristic inventories for the flora of Myanmar, a new species of the genus Sapria (Rafflesiaceae), Sapria myanmarensis Nob. Tanaka, Nagam, Tagane & M.M. Aung is described and photographed. In addition, S. himalayana Griff. f. albovinosa Bänziger & B. Hansen is newly recorded in the country. A key to the species of Sapria presently occurring in Myanmar is provided.

Keyword: Burma, Inventory, Myanmar, Parasitic plant, Rafflesiaceae, Sapria myanmarensis, Sapria himalayana f. albovinosa

Fig. 1. Sapria myanmarensis (female flower) from the type locality (Mu Mu Aung & Aung Khaing Win MY3336) A: Fully opened flower. B: Side view of flower. C: Longitudinal section of a flower attached to a Tetrastigma root. D: Upper surface of disk and ramenta on collar. E: Inner surface of perigone tube.

 Scales: 3 cm for A, B and C; 1 cm for D and E. (Photographs: Mu Mu Aung).

Fig. 2. Sapria myanmarensis (male flower). A: Fully opened flower. B: Flower bud. C: Longitudinal section of flower. D: Central column viewed from the bottom showing stamens. E: Side view of central column and a tangential section of the disk from a flower bud.

Scales: 3 cm for A and B; 1 cm for C, D and E. 

Photographs: A–B, Mu Mu Aung, C–D, Win Nwe (Mu Mu Aung & Win Nwe MM140); E, S. Tagane (Tagane et al. MY1103).

Sapria myanmarensis Nob. Tanaka, Nagam., Tagane & M.M. Aung, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Similar to Sapria himalayana Griff., but it is distinguished from it by a combination of features including vermilion perigone lobes with white-colored warts distributed only basally, a shorter perigone tube (1.5–2 cm vs. 3–4 cm in S. himalayana), a flat central disk (not bowl- or pan-shaped), a greater diameter of the disk crest (4–4.5 cm in diam. vs. 3.5–3.9 cm in diam. in S. himalayana) and crateriform ramenta. 

....

Distribution: Endemic to Myanmar. Thus far known only from northwestern part (Kachin State and Sagaing Region). 

Etymology: The specific epithet is derived from the name of the country. 

Vernacular name (Myanmar): Taung Kyar, meaning “mountain lotus flower”.

Fig. 4. Sapria himalayana f. albovinosa (female flower).
A: Side view of flower. B: Fully opened, slightly senescent flower from the top. C: Central column and bowl-shaped disk. D: Inner surface of perigone tube (central column removed).

Scales: 5 cm for A and B; 2 cm for C and D.

 Photographs: N. Tanaka (Tanaka et al. 2813).

Nobuyuki Tanaka, Hidetoshi Nagamasu, Shuichiro Tagane, Mu Mu Aung, Aung Khaing Win and Phyu Phyu Hnin. 2019. Contributions to the Flora of Myanmar IV: A New Species and A Newly Recorded Taxon of the Genus Sapria (Rafflesiaceae). Taiwania. 64(4); 357-362. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2019.64.357  tai2.ntu.edu.tw/taiwania/abstract.php?type=abstract&id=1634

 facebook.com/TaiwaniaOffice/posts/2336074956614320

[Botany • 2018] Sapria himalayana (Rafflesiaceae) on Vietnam’s Lang Biang Plateau: Identification, Sexual Dimorphism and Natural History

 Sapria himalayana Griff. f. albovinosa Bänziger & Hansen

in Trần, Lưu, Nguyễn, et al., 2018. 

  DOI: 10.1186/s40529-018-0243-9

 Photos: H.Đ. Trần

Abstract

Background: Sapria is a distinctive and narrowly host-specific holoparasitic genus belonging to the Rafflesiaceae. Sapria himalayana, rare throughout its range from NE India, SW China, Thailand to Vietnam, is a little-understood species first recorded for Vietnam in 1959, and only recollected there over half a century later in February 2017. This has facilitated an assessment of its taxonomic identity and our understanding of its morphology and natural history aspects.

Results: Six populations of Sapria at Vietnam’s Tuyền Lâm Lake, and another two populations at the Nam Ban Protection Forest and the Cam Ly area were found, in an area of about 20 km in radius. Previously documented size attributes, morphological details and colour patterns allowed clear identification of the Vietnamese taxon as Sapria himalayana f. albovinosa. A full description of the species for Vietnam is provided. Past authors have distinguished the sexes by column form and structure, colour of the upper disk, details of the inner surface of the perigone tube, and presence of ovarial chambers below the column in the female. We present additional observations that male flowers consistently have more steeply held perigone lobes than females, in which the lobes were more spread out at wider angles in fully open flowers, and that males have a much lower cupule than females. The latter difference, especially, appears to be useful for quick determination of the sex even in the advanced floral bud stage. The host plant was the lianescent Tetrastigma laoticum (Vitaceae), but superficially it was not possible to ascertain the clonal relationship of neighbouring host lianas. Male and female flowers were found mixed together in the same cluster from one individual liana. Potential pollinators included Calliphorid and Stratiomyid flies observed visiting open flowers.

Conclusions: Our observations have added to an increased understanding of the morphology of this highly specialized parasitic life form. More than this, we have ascertained its occurrence in Vietnam, with information made available to authorities of the Lâm Đồng Province where our studies were conducted, for the sites to be specially demarcated for conservation and carefully managed tourism use.

Figure 3: Sapria himalayana Griff. f. albovinosa Bänziger and Hansen, female flower.
 a Whole flower. b Habitat in natural forest at Tuyen Lam. c Longitudinal section of flower. d Ramenta on upper surface of diaphragm. e Cross section of ovary. f Lateral view of disk and upper part of column, with vestigial anthers (yellow structures in a ring below the disk) visible. g Ovules. Photos: H.Đ. Trần

Figure 4: Sapria himalayana Griff. f. albovinosa Bänziger and Hansen male flower.
a Whole flower. b Open flowers with more steeply held perigone lobes than in the female. c Longitudinal section of flower. d Ramenta on upper surface of diaphragm. e Part of upper disk surface. f Lateral view of column and disk, showing anthers (yellow structures) in a ring and longitudinal ridges on the inner surface of the perigone tube. g Anthers. Photos: H.Đ. Trần

Hữu Đăng Trần, Hồng Trường Lưu, Quốc Đạt Nguyễn, Hiếu Cường Nguyễn, Parusuraman Athen and K. M. Wong. 2018. Identification, Sexual Dimorphism and Aspects of the Natural History of Sapria himalayana (Rafflesiaceae) on Vietnam’s Lang Biang Plateau. Botanical Studies. 59: 29. DOI: 10.1186/s40529-018-0243-9

[Botany • 2019] A Phylogenetic and Biogeographic Study of Rafflesia (Rafflesiaceae) in the Philippines: Limited Dispersal and High Island Endemism

Pelser, Nickrent, van Ee & F. Barcelona, 2019. 

 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2019.106555  

 twitter.com/JulieFBarcelon1 

Highlights

• Philippine Rafflesia is monophyletic.

• Rafflesia phylogeny displays strong biogeographic signal.

• Borneo probably constitutes the ancestral range of Rafflesia.

• Rafflesia lineages might be older and evolved more gradually than previously assumed.

• Rafflesia possibly disperse poorly between islands.

Abstract

Rafflesia (Rafflesiaceae) is a small endo-holoparasitic Asian plant genus known for its exceptionally large flowers, rare species, and high island endemism. In this study, phylogenetic (parsimony and Bayesian inference) and biogeographic (BioGeoBEARS) analyses of DNA sequence data (atp6 and matR genes, and nad1 B-C intron from the mitochondrial genome, and the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer) were used to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships among 12 of the 13 known Philippine Rafflesia species and to determine the timing and pathways of their diversification. The results of these analyses confirm those of previous Rafflesia studies (which were largely focused on non-Philippine species) in finding pronounced biogeographic patterns. They suggest that dispersal between islands has been relatively uncommon, and indicate that the high island endemism of Rafflesia is a result of poor inter-island dispersal abilities. The results further suggest that its ancestral range might have been in Borneo, and that its lineages and species evolved earlier and more gradually than previously assumed.

Keywords: biogeography, dispersal, parasitic plants, divergence time, Malesia, parasitic plants

 Pieter B. Pelser, Daniel L. Nickrent, Benjamin W. van Ee and Julie F. Barcelona. 2019. A Phylogenetic and Biogeographic Study of Rafflesia (Rafflesiaceae) in the Philippines: Limited Dispersal and High Island Endemism. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. In Press.  DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2019.106555  

 twitter.com/JulieFBarcelon1/status/1146956339542781952

 twitter.com/JulieFBarcelon1/status/1033521144584798210

 facebook.com/groups/philippineplants/permalink/2341448352600485/

     

[Botany • 2017] Rafflesia kemumu • A New Species (Rafflesiaceae) from Northern Bengkulu, Sumatra, Indonesia

Rafflesia kemumu  Susatya, Hidayati & Riki

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.326.3.5  

 ksdae.menlhk.go.id 

Abstract

Rafflesia kemumu is a new species described from Northern Bengkulu in Sumatra, Indonesia. The species resembles R. gadutensis in size of the open flower, but differs from it with regard to the color and wart ornamentation on the upper surface of the perigone lobes, color and presence/absence of warts on the upper surface of the diaphragm, blots pattern on the two concentric rings of windows near the diaphragm opening, types and distribution of ramenta, number and shapes of processes, and number of anthers. The new species has orange to dark orange perigone lobes with warts of two sizes, in which smaller warts are often merged, and surround larger ones, and 23 slender, conical processes with rounded apex, arranged in two concentric rings (15 and 7 processes each) and a single process in the center of the disc. Rafflesia kemumu has no warts at its upper surface of diaphragm, simple and compound toadstool ramenta on its upper perigone tube and the lower part of the lower surface of its diaphragm and broccoli-like ramenta distributed from the base to the upper part of the perigone tube.

Keywords: Bengkulu, processes, Rafflesia, ramenta, Sumatra, Eudicots

The color of perigone lobes and their wart patterns on the first day of flowering for Rafflesia kemumu.

Photo by S. Riki. 

 facebook.com: KPPLBU - Komunitas Peduli Puspa Langka Bengkulu Utara 

Rafflesia kemumu Susatya, Hidayati & Riki, spec. nov.

Differs from a related species R. gadutensis by the absence of warts on the upper surface of the diaphragm, the pattern and arrangement of warts of windows near the diaphragm opening, and the presence of compound toadstool ramenta on the upper part of the perigone tube. 

Etymology:— The specific epithet is named after a village near the location where the holotype specimen was collected, Kemumu. The people of Kemumu rely on the continuity of a water supply from the Palak Siring watershed for their rice fields.

Agus Susatyaม Siti Nur Hidayati and Septian Riki. 2017. Rafflesia kemumu (Rafflesiaceae), A New Species from Northern Bengkulu, Sumatra, Indonesia. Phytotaxa. 326(3); 211–220. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.326.3.5  

Rafflesia kemumu (Rafflesiaceae), e new species from Northern Bengkulu, Sumatra, Indonesia
 Ditjen Konservasi Sumber Daya Alam dan Ekosistem

 ksdae.menlhk.go.id/berita/1972/rafflesia--(rafflesiaceae),-e-new-species-from-northern-bengkulu,-sumatra,-indonesia.html

 ksdae.menlhk.go.id/assets/uploads/R%20kemumu-1.pdf

  

[Botany • 2016] Rafflesia parvimaculata • A New Species of Rafflesia (Rafflesiaceae) from Peninsular Malaysia

Rafflesia parvimaculata 

Sofiyanti, Mat-Salleh, Khairil, Zuhailah, Mohd. Ros & Burslem 

FIGURE 2. Morphology of Rafflesia parvimaculata sp. nov. A. Mature bud, B. Male flower fully open, C. Inner side of floral perigone tube of male flower, D. Unbranched ramenta, E. Upper surface of disk showing processes of male flower, F. Lower surface of disk showing anthers (insert : pollen grain).

Scale bars: A, C 5 cm; B 10 cm; D 1 cm; E, F 2,5 cm (Specimens : A not collected; B–E LJ4 a1; F LJ4 f3).

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.253.3.4

Abstract

The new species Rafflesia parvimaculata is described from Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia. This species is characterized by its numerous small white warts on the perigone lobes, and also by its slender, unbranched, capitate ramenta that are white in color and densely arranged inside the floral perigone tube. These unique characters distinguish R. parvimaculata from other Rafflesia species. The discovery of this new species brings the total number of Rafflesia species described from Peninsular Malaysia to five

Keywords: Rafflesia, Pahang, numerous warts, white ramenta, Eudicots

Rafflesia parvimaculata Sofiyanti, Mat-Salleh, Khairil, Zuhailah, Mohd. Ros & Burslem sp. nov.  

Rafflesia parvimaculata has numerous small warts on the perigone lobe and the window. These warts have a well-spaced arrangement on both structures. Ramenta are slender, unbranched, capitate, white in color and densely arranged. These unique characters are the characteristics of this new species.

 Type:─ MALAYSIA : Peninsular Malaysia, Pahang, Lata Jarum. 03 55.92º N, 102 01.99 º E. 29 December 2005, LJ4 a1. Male. (Holotype UKMB!).

Distribution and ecology: — Rafflesia parvimaculata is an endoparasitic species that grows on the root or stem of Tetrastigma sp. (Vitaceae). The specimen of Tetrastigma was not collected. This new species was collected in hill dipterocarp forest at an elevation of 200 to 400 m a.s.l. in the Lata Jarum Forest, Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia. A photograph of a Rafflesia from Perak (Peninsular Malaysia) (Courtesy of Siti Munirah M.Y, FRIM that has been deposited in the Kew Herbarium shows similar morphological characters to this new species, especially in the presence of numerous white small warts on the perigone lobes. Therefore we tentatively suggest that Rafflesia parvimaculata may also occur in Perak, although further exploration in this region is required to verify this conclusion.

Etymology:— The specific epithet refers to the numerous small warts on the perigone lobes. It is derived from the Latin parvi (small) and maculate (stain, spot, wart).

Phenology:— Flowers were observed by us in February, March, September and December. Variation in the size of buds observed in February suggests that the flower can be found throughout the year independently of season.


 Nery Sofiyanti, Kamarudin Mat-Salleh, Khairil Mahmud, Nor Zuhailah Mazlan,  Mohd. Ros. Albukharey Hasein and  David F.R.P. Burslem. 2016. Rafflesia parvimaculata (Rafflesiaceae), A New Species of Rafflesia from Peninsular Malaysia. Phytotaxa. 253(3);  DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.253.3.4

ResearchGate.net/publication/299473266_Rafflesia_parvimaculata_Rafflesiaceae_a_new_species_of_Rafflesia_from_Peninsular_Malaysia

[Botany • 2016] Rafflesia consueloae • The Smallest among Giants; A New Species (Rafflesiaceae) from Luzon Island, Philippines

Rafflesia consueloae 

  Galindon, Ong & Fernando 

DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.61.7295

Figure 2. Colour illustration of Rafflesia consueloae Galindon, Ong & Fernando based on the holotype, Fernando & Galindon 3373 (PUH).

Colour illustration by Ms Yasmin S. Ong.

Abstract

A new species of Rafflesia (Rafflesiaceae) from Luzon Island, Philippines, Rafflesia consueloae Galindon, Ong & Fernando, is described and illustrated. It is distinct from all other species of Rafflesia in its small-sized flowers, the upright perigone lobes, and prominently cream-white disk surface that is often devoid of processes. Its small-sized flowers, with an average diameter of 9.73 cm when fully expanded, make it the smallest of the largest flowers in the world.

Keywords: Conservation, ecology, holoparasitic plants, taxonomy

Figure 1. Distribution of the six species of Rafflesia on Luzon Island, Philippines, including the new species, Rafflesia consueloae.

All Rafflesia images were drawn by Ms Yasmin S. Ong, five of which were originally published in David et al. (2011). Their use here is with permission of the book publisher, the Energy Development Corporation. All images are scaled relative to the actual sizes of each species.

DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.61.7295

Introduction

Rafflesia R.Br. (Rafflesiaceae) is a genus of endophytic, holoparasitic plants, well-known for producing the largest flowers on record (Kuijt 1969, Meijer 1985, 1997, Nais 2001). The Philippines is one of the centers of diversity of the genus (Barcelona et al. 2009b, Pelser et al. 2013), with at least 12 species thus far recorded from the archipelago (Teschemacher 1842, Blanco 1845, Hieronymus 1885, Barcelona and Fernando 2002, Fernando and Ong 2005, Barcelona et al. 2006, 2008a, 2008b, 2009a, 2009b, 2011, 2014, Galang and Madulid 2006, Balete et al. 2010, Pelser et al. 2013), eight of which were described only since 2002. Of all known Philippine species, five are recorded from Luzon Island, viz., Rafflesia aurantia Barcelona, Co & Balete (Barcelona et al. 2009a) from Quirino Province; R. baletei Barcelona & Cajano (Barcelona et al. 2006) from Camarines Sur Province; R. lagascae Blanco (Blanco 1845, Barcelona et al. 2009, 2011 [as R. manillana Teschem.], Pelser et al. 2013) from Cagayan, Bataan, Rizal, Laguna, Quezon, and Camarines Norte Provinces; R. leonardi Barcelona & Pelser (Barcelona et al. 2008a, 2011) from Cagayan and Kalinga Provinces, and R. philippensis Blanco (Blanco 1845, Barcelona et al. 2009) [as R. banahawensis Madulid, Villariba & Agoo (2007), and as R. banahaw Barcelona, Pelser & Cajano (2007)] from Laguna and Quezon Provinces (Figure 1).

In this paper, we describe Rafflesia consueloae, the 6th species from Luzon Island, and the 13th for the entire Philippine archipelago.

Rafflesia consueloae, A few minutes after full bloom, note immaculate surface.

Photo by Biodiversity Research Laboratory, UP Biology

Figure 3. Rafflesia consueloae Galindon, Ong & Fernando.

A Open flower B Longitudinal section of flower showing details of ramenta C Cross section through column neck showing undersurface of disk with anthers and dense fine bristles D Longitudinal section of female bud showing ovary

 A–C Fernando & Galindon 3373 D Fernando & Galindon 3378 E Fernando & Galindon 3376.
All photographs by Edwino S. Fernando.

Taxonomy

Rafflesia consueloae Galindon, Ong & Fernando, sp. nov.

urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77153385-1

Diagnosis: This species is distinct from all other Rafflesia species in its small-sized flowers (average of 9.73 cm diameter), the upright perigone lobes, and the prominently cream-white disk surface which is often devoid of processes. On Luzon Island, it overlaps in the size of mature buds and number of anthers with Rafflesia baletei and Rafflesia aurantia (Table 1).

Distribution: Endemic to the Philippines. Luzon Island, Nueva Ecija Province, Municipality of Pantabangan. The species is currently known only from two mountain sites with remnants of tropical lowland evergreen rain forests, Mt Balukbok and Mt Pantaburon, about 2 km apart, all within the Pantabangan-Carranglan Watershed.

Rafflesia consueloae population, 22 Feb 2014 [11 days after discovery].
Note the pink flags to indicate where R. consueloae in various stages of development and decay were located. Eventally more than 160 individuals were counted in this sub-site alone.

  Photo by Biodiversity Research Laboratory, UP Biology  ||  up.edu.ph

Etymology: The specific epithet honors Ms Consuelo ‘Connie’ Rufino Lopez, lifelong partner of industrialist Oscar M. Lopez, and a plant lover in her own right. Both delight in culturing, growing and tending their garden which includes more than 100 species of trees, orchids and other plants. With her demure but strong personality, traits which Rafflesia consueloae possess, she provides the inspiration for Mr Lopez’s pursuit of biodiversity conservation in the Philippines.

Conservation status: Following the IUCN Categories and Criteria (IUCN 2012), we regard this species as Critically Endangered (CR B1+2bc). The extent of occurrence of the two small populations of R. consueloae is less than 100 km2. Both populations are under the jurisdictional control of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and the Pantabangan-Carranglan Watershed Protected Area Management Board. The First Gen Hydro Power Corporation operates the Pantabangan hydroelectric facilities in the area and helps provide support in monitoring the surrounding forests and its biodiversity. However, the continued protection of the R. consueloae populations and other biodiversity in the area needs to be ensured as some local people still hunt wildlife there and forest fires are likely in the dry season. The vertebrate wildlife may also play a role in the biology of the R. consueloae.

How new Tetrastigma hosts get infected with Rafflesia seeds remains unknown. Several species of wildlife such as tree shrews, rodents, squirrels, wild pigs, elephants, and even ants have been suggested as potential seed dispersers of Rafflesia (Emmons et al. 1991, Hidayati et al. 2000, Nais 2001, Pelser et al. 2013); that these wildlife species might play an important role in the completion of the Rafflesia’s life cycle through the infection of new Tetrastigma hosts, had long been suspected but remains unproven. However, using motion-activated camera traps set up around fruits of R. consueloae, we were able to photograph at least two species of rodents feeding on different occasions (unpublished data, this study). What role these rodents and other wildlife species play in the life cycle of R. consueloae is subject of further study. The current two sites are known hunting grounds of wildlife by some members of the local community. Given the restricted range of this new species, hunting of wildlife might further exacerbate its fragile existence. Also, hunting might increase the chances of forest fires occurring, which are likely in the dry season based on personal observations and interviews with locals.

John Michael M. Galindon, Perry S. Ong and Edwino S. Fernando. 2016. Rafflesia consueloae (Rafflesiaceae), The Smallest among Giants; A New Species from Luzon Island, Philippines. PhytoKeys. 61: 37-46. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.61.7295

UP [University of the Philippines] biologists discover “the smallest among giant flowers”

http://www.up.edu.ph/up-biologists-discovers-the-smallest-among-giant-flowers/

[Botany • 2013] Developmental Origins of the World’s largest flowers, Rafflesiaceae

Pictured is a flower of the plant Rafflesia, which produces the world's largest flowers at up to one meter in diameter. These parasitic plants, found in Southeast Asia, attract carrion fly pollinators with an odor similar to rotting flesh. Lachezar A. Nikolov et al. examined the morphological differences between Rafflesia and its close relative Sapria, both members of the Rafflesiaceae family. The two genera both enclose their reproductive organs within a diaphragm, yet the structures of the diaphragms are markedly different. The findings suggest that the two genera developed their respective floral structures independently, via two different developmental pathways.

photo: Jeremy Holden | doi: 10.1073/pnas.1310356110

Abstract

Rafflesiaceae, which produce the world’s largest flowers, have captivated the attention of biologists for nearly two centuries. Despite their fame, however, the developmental nature of the floral organs in these giants has remained a mystery. Most members of the family have a large floral chamber defined by a diaphragm. The diaphragm encloses the reproductive organs where pollination by carrion flies occurs. In lieu of a functional genetic system to investigate floral development in these highly specialized holoparasites, we used comparative studies of structure, development, and gene-expression patterns to investigate the homology of their floral organs. Our results surprisingly demonstrate that the otherwise similar floral chambers in two Rafflesiaceae subclades, Rafflesia and Sapria, are constructed very differently. In Rafflesia, the diaphragm is derived from the petal whorl. In contrast, in Sapria it is derived from elaboration of a unique ring structure located between the perianth and the stamen whorl, which, although developed to varying degrees among the genera, appears to be a synapomorphy of the Rafflesiaceae. Thus, the characteristic features that define the floral chamber in these closely related genera are not homologous. These differences refute the prevailing hypothesis that similarities between Sapria and Rafflesia are ancestral in the family. Instead, our data indicate that Rafflesia-like and Sapria-like floral chambers represent two distinct derivations of this morphology. The developmental repatterning we identified in Rafflesia, in particular, may have provided architectural reinforcement, which permitted the explosive growth in floral diameter that has arisen secondarily within this subclade.

Keywords: ABC model, comparative gene expression, evo-devo, gigantism, parasitic plants

Fig. 1. Gross morphology, longitudinal sections,
and accepted phylogenetic relationships of Rafflesiaceae.
Rafflesia (A) and Sapria (C) exhibit floral chambers, defined by a diaphragm, where the central reproductive column resides. The central column of Rhizanthes (B) is exposed because no floral chamber is formed.

(Scale bars, ∼2 cm.) Photos: (A) D. Boufford, (B) C.C.D., (C) L.A.N.
doi: 10.1073/pnas.1310356110

Significance

Rafflesiaceae produce the world’s largest flowers, but the developmental nature of their floral organs has remained a mystery. Most members of the family have a large floral chamber, which encloses their reproductive organs. We used comparative studies of development and gene-expression patterns to investigate the homology of their floral organs. Our results demonstrate that the similar floral chambers in two Rafflesiaceae subclades are constructed very differently. Thus, the characteristic features that define the floral chamber in these closely related clades are not homologous. Instead, these data indicate that similar floral chambers represent two distinct derivations of this morphology, which may have contributed to the explosive growth in floral diameter that arose secondarily within one subclade, Rafflesia.

Lachezar A. Nikolov, Peter K. Endress, M. Sugumaran, Sawitree Sasirat, Suyanee Vessabutr, Elena M. Kramer, and Charles C. Davis. 2013. Developmental Origins of the World’s largest flowers, Rafflesiaceae. PNAS. 110(46); 18578–18583. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1310356110