Rafflesias are enigmatic group of parasitic flowering plants which deserves attention as it is unique, intriguing,

and at the same time endangered. Their survival will depend on how we take care of our forest. It is a plant

not intended for the home garden, however, it will be a very popular plant to attract foreign tourists in a

botanical garden.

The plant has no stems, leaves or true roots. Strange, right?

It is an endoparasite of a specific plant host, the Tetrastigma vine which belongs to the Vitaceae or grape family.

The Tetrastigma vine is its only host, thus, theoretically, if you want to grow Rafflesia, you have to grow the

Tetrastigma vine first through stem cuttings, and introduce the seeds later. The Rafflesia spreads its root-like

haustoria inside the tissues of the vine, and absorbs its host’s sap until it matures. The only part of the plant

that can be seen outside the host vine is the five-petaled flower, range in size from 3 feet wide to 6 inches in

diameter.

Philippine Rafflesia species

Filipino scientists and botanists has been tremendously active since 2002 in discovering and naming

several new species of Rafflesia. Before this time there were only two species known: R. manillana and

R. schadenbergiana, the latter of which was last seen in 1882 on Mt. Apo in Davao Province, Mindanao

and was thought to be extinct.

An advocacy in protecting and conserving our last remaining forest is being spearheaded by the

Philippine Native Plant Conservation Society, Inc (PNPCSI).

Yet not all Rafflesia blooms are monster-sized. Some produce only smaller, palm-sized blossoms.

Even though it has a very attractive looking flower, there has been no technology yet to cultivate the plant in

gardens or in greenhouses. It relies primarily to its host, the Tetrastigma vine, in order for the plant to live.

Most folks never get to see this plant in bloom as the Rafflesia rarely blossom, sometimes taking five to

10 years between flowerings. And they’re found only in remote Malaysian, Indonesian and Philippine

rain forests.

The life cycle of this plant is still an enigma. People tend to see the plant only when it flowers,

and it is found only in a specific location. Thus, there is a need to protect sites where the plant

is found, or else, the plant disappears when its forest site is destroyed and converted into agricultural land.