SAGIP SARIHAY #5
Species: Rafflesia mira Fernando & Ong (synonym: Rafflesia magnifica Madulid et al.)
Words by Mark Nhel Peralta
Artwork by Eda Cumbao
Description
Rafflesia mira Fernando & Ong is one of many Rafflesia species that is endemic to the Philippines. The flowers of Rafflesia mira bloom from August to November and can expand up to 80 cm in diameter. Furthermore, the inner side of the diaphragm and perigone tube are covered with long and filiform ramenta while the flower disk has four distinct zones of processes or spikes (Madulid et al., 2005; Fernando & Ong, 2005). Just like the other Rafflesia species, Rafflesia mira is a holoparasite that lacks observable leaves, stems, and roots, making them completely dependent on their host Tetrastigma, a genus of woody vine, for water and nutrients. They are also notable for their smell, described to be similar to rotting flesh which attracts carrion flies, the main pollinator of Rafflesia (Barcelona et al., 2009).
Locality
Rafflesia mira is confined within a very limited area of Mt. Candalaga Range, Maragusan, Compostela Valley, where it was also first recorded by Madulid et al. (2005).
Threats
Mt. Candalaga is not a nationally declared protected area; hence, many disturbances endanger the survival of Rafflesia mira. In 2008, the species was declared ‘critically endangered’ due to limited habitat range and anthropogenic activities, such as the construction of a national highway and conversion of nearby areas into banana plantations; these factors contributed to the decline in species population (Madulid et al., 2008). Ecotourism activities also pose threats to the limited population of Rafflesia mira as their flowers are being brought down as a tourist attraction (Barcelona et al., 2009).
Solutions to Address Endangerment
Artificial cultivation of Rafflesia species has been difficult and the only successful technique that has been discovered, thus far, is vegetative propagation via host grafting (Wicaksono et al., 2016). As such, the conservation of land where the Rafflesia species thrive seemed to be the only way to protect the species from extinction. However, plant biodiversity conservation remains a challenge in the Philippines as no national policy, specifically for the conservation of Rafflesia mira, has been made. For conservation actions needed, the IUCN recommended the formulation of national policies for the Rafflesia habitat protection and management, education and awareness programs, and providing alternative livelihoods to the people who make profit from Rafflesia as a tourist attraction (Madulid et al., 2008).
References
Barcelona, J. F., Pelser, P. B., Balete, D. S., & Co, L. L. (2009). Taxonomy, ecology, and conservation status of Philippine Rafflesia (Rafflesiaceae). Blumea — Biodiversity, Evolution and Biogeography of Plants, 54(1), 77–93. doi:10.3767/000651909x474122.
Fernando, E. S., & Ong, P. S. (2005). The genus Rafflesia R.Br. (Rafflesiaceae) in the Philippines. Asia Life Sciences, 14(2), 263–270.
Madulid, D. A., Tandang, D. N., & Agoo, E. M. G. (2005). Rafflesia magnifica (Rafflesiaceae), A New Species from Mindanao, Philippines. Acta Manilana, 53, 1–6
Madulid, D. A., Tandang, D. N. & Agoo, E. M. G. (2008). Rafflesia magnifica. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2008: e.T133709A3873727. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T133709A3873727.en.
Wicaksono, A., Mursidawati, S., Sukamto, L. A., & Teixeira da Silva, J. A. (2016). Rafflesia spp.: propagation and conservation. Planta, 244(2), 289–296. doi:10.1007/s00425–016–2512–8
Reference confirming that R. mira is the accepted name while R. magnifica is a synonym
Rafflesia mira Fernando & Ong in GBIF Secretariat (2019). GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Checklist dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/39omei accessed via GBIF.org on 2021–03–06.
