An international group of botanists has called for urgent coordinated action to prevent the iconic species from extinction. Rafflesiaincludes: biggest flowers in the world.
A study published a few days ago revealed that most of the 42 species in this plant group are seriously threatened; However, only one of them is on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Endangered Species. Moreover, More than two-thirds (67%) of these plants’ habitat is unprotected and at risk of extinctionAccording to the statement made by Oxford University, which participated in the initiative.
One of the greatest botanical mysteries, Rafflesia has intrigued scientists for centuries. The plant is a parasite that affects tropical vines. In the forests of Southeast Asia (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand).
Rafflesia remains out of sight for most of its life cycle and persists as a system of filaments that invade its host. At unpredictable intervals, the parasite produces a cabbage-like cocoon that breaks the vine’s bark, eventually forming a giant five-lobed flower up to one meter in diameter. This process Emits a foul odor of rotting meat attracting pollinating flies, earning it the alternative name ‘corpse flower’.
Rafflesia, which has such a complex life cycle, is not yet fully understood and new species are still being discovered. To better understand the vulnerability of these unique plants, a group of scientists established the first coordinated global network to assess the threats facing Rafflesia.
The investigation found All 42 species of Rafflesia are threatened: According to the criteria used by the IUCN, scientists classified 25 as “critically endangered”, 15 as “endangered” and two as “vulnerable”. Additionally, more than two-thirds (67%) are not protected by regional or national conservation strategies.
Rafflesia species They generally have very restricted distributions.This makes them particularly vulnerable to habitat destruction. The study found that most remaining populations contained only a few individuals located in unprotected areas at critical risk of transition to agriculture.
They say protecting the habitat is an urgent priority, as attempts to propagate Rafflesia in botanical gardens have so far met with limited success.
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