The world’s largest flower has been discovered in a south-east Asian forest. Biology and biodiversity specialists discovered the Rafflesia manillana in the thick forests of the Sierra Madre mountains in Aurora, a province in the Philippines. The genus, which is critically endangered, boasts a diameter of 17 centimetres (6.7in) when in full bloom.
It is a genus of tropical parasitic plants that do not contain a chlorophyll and are therefore incapable of photosynthesis.
Biologists from the National Museum of the Philippines, led by Dr. Edwin Tadiosa, discovered the Rafflesia bloom while surveying reptiles and amphibians in the 5,000-hectare Aurora Memorial National Park which is home to 19 amphibian species, 30 reptile species and eight species of birds.
Maximo Dichoso, executive director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regional office, said the flower can also be found in four nearby locations: Mount Natib in Bataa; Mount Makiling in Laguna; Mount Labo in Bicol; and Samar Island Natural Park in Samar.
Experts calculate there are 17 Rafflesia species distributed throughout south-east Asia.
