DENR out to save country's endangered largest flower

DENR out to save country's endangered largest flower

By ELLALYN B. DE VERA

March 5, 2011, 6:28pm

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has designated a two-hectare “critical habitat” for the threatened Rafflesia flower in Bukidnon.

Rafflesia schadenbergiana, locally known as “bo-o” or “kolon busaw” among Bukidnon’s Bogobo and Higaonon tribes, is the Philippines’ largest flower, which measures up to 80 centimeters or 39 inches in diameter and can weigh up to 10 kilograms or 22 pounds.

Under the DENR Administrative Order (DAO) No. 2011-02, DENR Secretary Ramon Paje declared a two-hectare piece of land situated in Sitio Kalanganan, Barangay San Vicente in Baungon, Bukidnon and called it the “Rafflesia schadenbergiana Critical Habitat” to ensure the survival of the “critically-endangered” flower.

The Rafflesia schadenbergiana was named after Alexander Schadenberg, a German ethnologist who made several expeditions to the Philippines.

The species was first collected in the vicinity of Mount Apo in 1882 and was believed to be extinct until it was rediscovered in 1994 in Mt. Matutum, South Cotabato.

In 2007, its presence was also recorded in Baungon, Bukidnon, just outside the Mount Kitanglad Natural Park.

“The Philippines takes pride in the endemicity of its biodiversity. The newly issued administrative order protecting the natural habitat of rafflesia will allow the DENR to work closely with the surrounding communities in ensuring the survival of the country’s largest flower, which, unfortunately, is a threatened species. By all means, we need to keep the critical habitat free from exploitation or destruction, and we can only do this through partnership with the local populace,” Paje said.