An international group of scientists, including botanists at the University of Oxford's Botanic Garden, has issued an urgent call for coordinated action to save the iconic genus Rafflesia, which contains the world's largest flowers. This follows a new study that found that most of the 42 species are severely threatened, yet just one of these is listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)'s Red List of Threatened Species. Furthermore, over two-thirds (67%) of the plants' habitats are unprotected and at risk of destruction.
Rafflesia, one of the greatest botanical enigmas, has aroused curiosity among scientists for centuries. The plant is a parasite that infects tropical vines in jungles across Southeast Asia . For most of its lifecycle, Rafflesia is hidden from sight, existing as a system of thread-like filaments that invades its host. At unpredictable intervals, the parasite produces a cabbage-like bud that breaks through the vine's bark and eventually forms a giant, five-lobed flower, up to a meter across.
Dang Zul, Village Leader, with Rafflesia bengkuluensis in Sumatra illustrated in pencil by Chris Thorogood. Credit: Chris Thorogood.Rafflesia species often have highly restricted distributions, making them particularly vulnerable to habitat destruction. The study found that many of the remaining populations contain only a few individuals located in unprotected areas at critical risk of conversion for agriculture.
Greater protection of Rafflesia habitats, targeting populations most at risk. Habitat protection was identified as the single best tool for Rafflesia conservation. Southeast Asia has the fastest disappearing forests on the planet, and many of the known Rafflesia populations are perilously close to growing human settlements.
Introduce new ecotourism initiatives to engage local communities in Rafflesia conservation. Providing funding and training for local specialist guides would be an effective way to help protect local Rafflesia populations and raise awareness of the need for conservation.Rafflesia kemumu in the rainforest of Sumatra. Credit: Chris Thorogood.
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