Rafflesia banahawensis Madulid, Villariba-Tolentino & Agoo
This Rafflesia species is named after the mountain, Mt. Bahahaw in Luzon, Philippines, where it was first discovered.
Known from only five locations on Mt. Banahaw on Luzon, this species grows on Tetrastigma roots at or below the ground level. It is one of the small-flowered Rafflesia species, with floral diameters ranging from 17 to 27 cm. It most resembles R. baletei from the Bicol region, Camarines Sur Province in southern Luzon. It differs from that species in several morphological features such as wart ornamentation, the color and density of the processes, and ramenta grouping inside the diaphragm.
Two papers were published for the same taxon. The first was:
Madulid, D. A., C. Villariba-Tolentino, and E. M. G. Agoo. 2006. Rafflesia banahawensis (Rafflesiaceae), a new species from Luzon, Philippines. Philippine Scientist 43: 43-51.
The second paper was:
Barcelona, J. F., P. B. Pelser, and M. O. Cajano. 2007. Rafflesia banahaw (Rafflesiaceae), a new species from Luzon, Philippines. Blumea 52: 345-350.
Newly opened male flower. Photo by Julie Barcelona.
Diaphragm opening through which is visible the processes that top the disk. Photo by Julie Barcelona.
Column (neck at top, cut in cross section) inverted, looking down at anthers below the disk corona. Photo by Julie Barcelona.
Longitudinal section of male floral bud. Photo by Julie Barcelona.
SIUC / College of Science / Parasitic Plant Connection / Rafflesiaceae
URL: http://www.parasiticplants.siu.edu/Rafflesiaceae/Raff.banahaw.page.html
Last updated: 13-Nov-07 / dln
