World's 'smallest' giant flower discovered only in the Philippines!
In Nueva Ejica, Philippines, a team of scientist has discovered the smallest giant flower in the world!
The new species Rafflesia consueloae belongs to the Rafflesia group which is a parasitic plants with magnificent blooms that can reach up to 1.5 meters in diameter.
It has an average diameter of 9.73 centimeters making it a dwarf among all known Rafflesia species. Unlike its larger cousins, this specie smells like coconut.
So far, the new species thrives only in Mt. Balokbok and Mt. Pantaburon within the Pantanbangan-Carranglan watershed where the Pantabangan Hydroelectric Dam is located.
Rafflesia consueloae may have set a new world record, but this flower is on the edge of extinction, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources’ criterion of a species having less than 100 square kilometers of extent of occurrence with its two little populations.
Biology and Diliman Science Research Foundation (DSRF) together with the First Gen Hydro Power Corp. (FGHPC), which operates the Pantabangan Hydroelectric Dam, had been taking responsibility over a long-term biodiversity preservation monitoring program in the watershed as part of its pledge to understand and look after that environment.
According to First Gen chairman and chief executive officer Federico Lopez, “The Philippines is blessed with so many amazing living things that, even in this day and age, the world of science isn’t aware of. We’re thankful the country has researchers and scientists at the UP Institute of Biology who dedicate their lives to unlocking the mysteries of these enigmatic species for all of us. It’s really a privilege for us to be working closely with such committed men and women and their work truly deserves everyone’s support.”
In honor of Lopez’s mother, the new species is named Rafflesia consueloae after his mother, Consuelo.
Perry Ong described the sighting of the new flower species as serendipitous, as a field assistant accidentally kicked over a pile of forest litter, exposing a decayed flower of R. consueloae.
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| The Rafflesia consueloae can only be found in the Philippines |
The new species Rafflesia consueloae belongs to the Rafflesia group which is a parasitic plants with magnificent blooms that can reach up to 1.5 meters in diameter.
It has an average diameter of 9.73 centimeters making it a dwarf among all known Rafflesia species. Unlike its larger cousins, this specie smells like coconut.
So far, the new species thrives only in Mt. Balokbok and Mt. Pantaburon within the Pantanbangan-Carranglan watershed where the Pantabangan Hydroelectric Dam is located.
Rafflesia consueloae may have set a new world record, but this flower is on the edge of extinction, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources’ criterion of a species having less than 100 square kilometers of extent of occurrence with its two little populations.
Biology and Diliman Science Research Foundation (DSRF) together with the First Gen Hydro Power Corp. (FGHPC), which operates the Pantabangan Hydroelectric Dam, had been taking responsibility over a long-term biodiversity preservation monitoring program in the watershed as part of its pledge to understand and look after that environment.
According to First Gen chairman and chief executive officer Federico Lopez, “The Philippines is blessed with so many amazing living things that, even in this day and age, the world of science isn’t aware of. We’re thankful the country has researchers and scientists at the UP Institute of Biology who dedicate their lives to unlocking the mysteries of these enigmatic species for all of us. It’s really a privilege for us to be working closely with such committed men and women and their work truly deserves everyone’s support.”
In honor of Lopez’s mother, the new species is named Rafflesia consueloae after his mother, Consuelo.
Perry Ong described the sighting of the new flower species as serendipitous, as a field assistant accidentally kicked over a pile of forest litter, exposing a decayed flower of R. consueloae.
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World's 'smallest' giant flower discovered only in the Philippines!
Reviewed by TrendSpot
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Sunday, March 06, 2016
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Reviewed by TrendSpot
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Sunday, March 06, 2016
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