Evan with his Rafflesia Arnoldii from Bengkulu

evan with his rafflesia at Tabah Penanjung 20 december 2007, North Bengkulu

http://www.friendster.com/photos/8217899/1/477206542

Rafflesia tengku-adlinii Mat Salleh

This species was discovered in 1987 on Mount Trus Madi, Sabah, Malaysia. The species is named after Tengku D. Z. Adlin, president of the Sabah Society and conservationist.


Photograph by Tengku D. Z. Adlin. Reproduced from Kamarudin Mat Salleh (1991) "Rafflesia: Magnificient Flower of Sabah, Borneo Publishing Co., Kota Kinabalu).

SIUC / College of Science / Parasitic Plant Connection / Rafflesiaceae
URL: http://www.parasiticplants.siu.edu/Rafflesiaceae/Raff.tengku.page.html
Last updated: 19-Oct-05 / dln

Prof. Dr. Kamarudin Mat-Salleh

Prof. Dr. Kamarudin Mat-Salleh

Profesor Taksonomi dan Sistematik Tumbuhan

Di lahirkan di Tanah Merah,Kelantan pada 17 April 1959, Prof Dr Kamarudin memdapat pendidikan asas di SekolahKebangsaan Tanah Merah (1966-1972) dan Sekolah Menengah Tanah Merah (1973-1974), sebelum dihantar ke Sekolah Menengah Sains Kelantan, Pengkalan Chepa (sekarang SekMen Sains Faris Petra)(1975-1976) dan Sekolah Menengah Alam Shah (1977).Mendapat ijazah SmSn Kep. (Botani) dari Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, KualaLumpur (1982), M.Sc: dalam bidang taksonomi tumbuhan dariUniversity of Aberdeen, Scotland (1985) dan Ph.D di dalam Botani Sistematikdari Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan (1992), beliau merupakansalah seorang pakar taksonomi dan sistematik tumbuhan di Asia Tenggara danmenjadi pakar kepada taksonomi dan biologi Rafflesia,bunga terbesar didunia. Beliau merupakan ketua ekspedisi ke Trus Madi Sabahpada tahun 1989 dimana penemuan spesies baru Rafflesia telah direkodkan danbertanggung jawab sebagai autoriti spesies yang dinamakan Rafflesia tengku-adlinii, spesies Rafflesia yang pertama dinamakansebagai penghormatan kepada pembesar tempatan. Beliau juga merupakan bekasPengerusi JK Penyelidikan dan Pemuliharaan Rafflesia Sabah diakhir 1990an yangtelah menjadi tulang belakang kepada promosi Rafflesia sebagai simboleko-pelancongan dan pemuliharaan sehingga ia menjadi terkenal pada hari ini.Buku beliau Magnificent Rafflesia ofSabah adalah buku pertama mengenai Rafflesiayang pernah diterbitkan.

Dengan kepakaran beliau tentang Rafflesia, Prof Kamarudin selalu dijemput untuk menjalankankerjalapangan dan memberikan pandangan mengenai penerbitan spesies baru Rafflesia di Filipina, Thailand danIndonesia. Makmal penyelidikan Taksonomi dan Sistematik Tumbuhan di PusatPengajian Sains Sekitaran dan Sumber Alam UKM mempunyai ramai pelajar dari AsiaTenggara yang menjalankan kajian tumbuhan Malesia. Pada tahun 2006, beliau danpelajar beliau telah menerbitkan satu lagi spesies baru yang dinamakan Rafflesia bengkuluensis dari Sumatera dan satu lagi spesies akan diperkenalkan dari Aceh. Beliau juga sedang menyediakanPelanPengurusan dan Pemuliharaan Rafflesia di Semenanjng Malaysia dan SemakanPerundangan mengenai Perlindungan Rafflesia di Malaysia yang diminta oleh Jabatan Perhutanan Semenanjung Malaysia. Pada masa ini Prof Kamarudin jugamenjadi peneraju kepada weblog Rafflesia-in-Bloom yang menjadisumber rujukan kepada penggemar Rafflesia di Asia Tenggara. tahun 2006.

Selain dari Rafflesia, ProfKamarudin juga menjadi pakar kepada famili Annonaceae atau Mempisang dan telahmenerbitkan banyak makalah dan monograf. Famili ini merupakan salah satu famili tumbuhanyang penting. Pada akhir tahun 1990an beliau juga menjadi pengelola kepadapengkalan-pengkalan data tumbuhan di Malaysia di dalam portal MalaysiaBiodiversity Online. Ini termasuklah Turner’s Checklist of Vascular Plants of the MalayPeninsular, Burkill’s Dictionary dan Integrated Checklist of Malaysia Plants.Atas kepakaran ini, beliau telah diminta oleh MOSTI (pada masa itu MOSTE) untukmenyediakan buku Tumbuhan Ubatan Malaysia yangtelah mengumpulkan maklumat kesemua 916 spesies tumbuhan bernilai ubatan diMalaysia dan berjaya diterbitkan pada tahun 2002. Beliau juga menjadi perundingtaksonomi kepada penerbitan 2002 spesies di dalam buku Compendium of Medicinal Plants Usedin Malaysia terbitan Instutute of Medical Research.

Prof Kamarudin telah menjalankan kajian di dalam 21program penyelidikan di UKM, di mana beliau menjadi ketua kepada 8 daripadaprogram tersebut. Beliau juga telah 13 pelajar siswazah dan 62 tesis pelajar pra-siswazah.Setakat ini beliau telah menerbitkan 5 buku, 17 bab dalam buku, 33 kertaspenyelidikan di dalam jurnal, 70 kerta kerja teknikal mengenai sistematikAnnonaceae, Simaroubaceae, dan Rafflesia; etnobotani dan flora tumbuhan ubatanMalaysia, informatik biodiversiti dan pemuliharaan tumbuhan Malesia.

http://kms.drkms.com/index.php?pr=Siapa_Pakdin

Stamp from Indonesia

SERI LINGKUNGAN HIDUP TAHUN 1993




PATMA RAKSASA sebagai PUSPA LANGKA
Nama latin : Rafflesia arnoldi

Ditemukan oleh rombongan Sir Thomas Stamfort Raffles (Gubernur East India Company di Sumatera dan Jawa) dan Dr. Joseph Arnord, seorang naturalis yang mengadakan ekspedis di Bengkulu pada tanggal 20 Mei 1818. kedua naman tersebut diabadikan menjadi nama latin bunga ini oleh Robert Brown.

Bunga terbesar di dunia dan sebagai tumbuhan asli Indonesia, ini termasuk kategori langka, hanya dapat dijumpai di Sumatera dan Kalimantan. Keunikan tumbuhannya adalah hanya merupakan miselium yang memparasit tumbuhan inang, tidak berdaun tetapi dapat menghasilkan bunga berukuran sangat besar. Penyebarannya yang sangat terbatas terdapat jumlah yang sedikit dan jarang dijumpai, maka Patma Raksasa digolongkan dalam status rawan (Vulnerable).


Dengan memilih tumbuhan ini sebagai PUSPA LANGKA, diharapkan dapat meningkatkan kepedulian masyarakat untuk dapat menjaga kelestariannya.

Bunga berumah dua (bunga jantan dan betina terpisah), berdiameter mencapai 100 cm, berwarna merah coklat dan kasar permukaannya, kuncup yang berukuran kurang lebih 5 cm. Memerlukan waktu sekitar 9 bulan untuk mekar. Masa mekarnya hanya 4 hari, dan setelah diserbuki oleh serangga, diperlukan waktu kira-kira 7 bulan untuk menjadi buah. Buah yang terbentuk akan berisi ribuan biji-biji berbentuk bulat panjang berukuran kurang dari 0,5 mm.

Patma Raksasa adalah tumbuhan parasit sejati pada batang (akar) tumbuhan inang Tetratigma coriaceum, Cissis serrulata dan Cissus scariosa. Umumnya dijumpai pada batang yang menjalar di permukaan tanah di hutan primer maupun hutan yang agak terganggu pada daerah yang bergelombang maupun lereng dan selalu di bawah naungan di ketinggian 500-1.000 dpl.

Musim berbunganya sepanjang tahun, akan tetapi sangat tergantung dari kondisi lingkungannya.

SERI FLORA FAUNA TAHUN 2002

RAFFLESIA
Nama latin : Rafflesia micropylora

Tumbuhan parasit inang Tetrastigma sp. Muncul di permukaan batang dekat tanah 60 cm dari permukaan tanah. Knop bulat, berukuran 10 – 15 cm. Krem keputihan hingga coklat merah kehitaman. Saat mekar berdiameter 30 – 60 cm, panjang kelopak perhiasan bunga (lobus perigonum) 16 – 18 cm, diameter diaphragma 20 – 25 cm dengan lubang kecil sekitar 3 – 9 cm.

Habitat : hutan primer

Persebaran : daerah Aceh (Sumatera)

http://www.menlh.go.id/PerangkoHLH/PerangkoHLH2002/PerangkoHLH2002-Raflesia.htm

A Contribution to the Life History of the Rare Indonesian Holoparasite Rafflesia patma (Rafflesiaceae)

A Contribution to the Life History of the Rare Indonesian Holoparasite Rafflesia patma (Rafflesiaceae)¹

Siti N. Hidayati^A, Willem Meijer^B, Jerry M. Baskin^B, and Jeffrey L. Walck^B

A. Universitas Bengkulu, Jl. Raya Kandang Limun, Bengkulu 38371, Indonesia, B. School of Biological Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506, U.S.A.

Abstract

Fates and growth of Rafflesia patma buds and insect visitation to the flowers were monitored in an evergreen tropical rain forest in the Pangandaran Nature Reserve, Java, Indonesia. Of 59 buds marked in December 1985, 44 percent died before flowering, 7 percent flowered, and 49 percent were still in bud in May 1986. Mammals and birds caused the deaths of buds before they reached maturity. Only four buds flowered between December 1985 and May 1986; all were male. Rate of increase in diameter (cm/d) was much faster in large than in small buds. Once opening began, the flower opened fully in 24 to 48 hours; the flower remained open for three to five days before rotting. Only two genera of insects visited a male flower of R. patma: Lucilia and Sarcophaga (Diptera). Insect visitation was highest in the afternoon (1300–1700 h) and on the second or third day after flower opening. The increased number of flies visiting the flower coincided with the increasing odor emitted from it. Results of the present study were combined with information from the literature to construct a life cycle diagram of R. patma.

Zusammenfabung

Telah dilakukan penelitian tentang pertumbuhan dan perkembangan kuncup dan jenis-jenis serangga yang mengunjungi bunga Rafflesia patma di hutan hujan tropik Taman Wisata Pangandaran, Jawa, Indonesia. Dari 59 kuncup yang dijumpai di bulan Desember 1985, 44 persen mati sebelum mekar, 7 persen mekar, dan 49 persen masih berupa kuncup pada akhir penelitian bulan Mei 1986. Mamalia dan burung, adalah penyebab kematian kuncup sebelum mekar. Empat bunga jantan mekar selama penelitian tetapi tidak ditemukan bunga betina yang mekar. Laju pertambahan garis tengah kuncup (cm/d) lebih cepat pada kuncup bergaris tengah besar daripada kuncup yang kecil. Bunga mekar dalam waktu 24–48 jam dan bunga mekar penuh selama 3–5 hari sebelum akhirnya layu. Dua jenis lalat, Lucilia dan Sarcophaga (Diptera) mengunjungi bunga R. patma yang mekar. Frekwensi kunjungan tertingggi adalah pada sore hari (jam 1300–1700), dan puncak kunjungan terjadi pada hari kedua atau ketiga setelah bunga mekar. Jumlah seranggga pengunjung meningkat seiring dengan meningkatnya intensitas bau yang dikeluarkan oleh bunga. Hasil penelitian ini ditambah dengan informasi dari pustaka yang ada digunakan untuk membentuk diagram siklus hidup R. patma.

Keywords: bud fates, bud growth, evergreen rain forest, Java, Indonesia, life cycle, parasitic plant, pollination, Rafflesiaceae, Rafflesia patma, Tetrastigma

DOI: 10.1646/0006-3606(2000)032[0408:ACTTLH]2.0.CO;2

http://www.bioone.org/perlserv/?request=get-abstract&doi=10.1646%2F0006-3606%282000%29032%5B0408%3AACTTLH%5D2.0.CO%3B2

Rafflesia Patma

Rafflesia Patma

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Rafflesia patma mempunyai ukuran diameter bunga bisa mencapai 25 cm lebih. Organ penyusun bunga dari Rafflesia patma tidak jauh dari Rafflesia arnoldii namun ukurannya lebih kecil. Sosok Rafflesia patma sepintas memang mirip dengan Rafflesia yang lain, hanya saja bila diamati lebih teliti mahkota bunganya memiliki warna yang lebih pucat. Saat mekar sempurna diameter bunganya berkisar 20 – 30 cm. Tanda yang khas, yang membedakan dengan Rafflesia rochussenii adalah duri – duri yang terdapat pada diskus.

Rafflesia patma selain tumbuh pada akar inangnya juga tumbuh pada batang inang yang menggantung di atas lantai hutan, tetapi persentase yang tumbuh pada bagian bukan akar sangat kecil dan tumbunya tidak sebaik yang tumbuh di akar inang. Diameter akar inang yang baik untuk ditumbuhi Rafflesia patma berkisar antara 1,1 – 3 cm. Ukuran kuncup Rafflesia patma yang ditemukan di Cagar Alam Leuweung Sancang sangat beragam mulai dari diameter 2 cm sampai 15 cm. Persentase kematian kuncup yang paling banyak terjadi pada diameter <>et al, 1989 ).

Kondisi ekologis Rafflesia patma yang terdapat di Cagar Alam Leuweung Sancang Jawa Barat adalah sebagai berikut : Jenis tanah regosol, kelas tekstur tanah lempung berpasir, konsistensi tanah gembur dengan kelas drainase baik, pH tanah agak masam sampai netral; kandungan C organisk dan Ca sangat tinggi; N total, Mg dan kapasitas tukat kation (KTK) tinggi; P tersedia sangat rendah; K dan Na sedang dan tumbuh pada ketinggian berkisar antara 0 – 35 m dpl dengan jarak dari pantai berkisar antara 5 – 700 m dan kemiringan lahan tidak lebih dari 5 %. Penyerbukan terjadi diduga dengan bantuan lalat, yang mendatangi bagian reoriduksi bunga adalah lalat hijau (Lucillia sp.), lalat biru (Protocalliphora sp). Lalat abu–abu (Sarcophaga sp) dan lalat buah (Drosophila sp). Sedangkan penyebaran biji diduga dilakukan oleh rayap tanah (Macrotermes sp), semut merah besar (Polyergus sp), babi hutan (Sus scroffa Linn), landak (Hystrix brachyura Linn), tupai (Tupaia sp) dan muncak (Muntiacus muntjak Zimm) (Priatna et al., 1989).

Habitat yang sesuai untuk Rafflesia patma adalah daerah antara tipe lautan pantai dengan tipe hutan hujan tropika dataran rendah (ekoton). Asosiasi tingkat pohon terdiri dari : Aleurites moluccana, Tabarmaemontana sphaerocarpa, Neesia altissima, Pongamia pinnata, Dracontomelon mangiferum, Cinnamomun inners, Tarenna incerta, Barringtonia acutangula, Terminalia catappa. Asosiasi vegetasi tingkat belta adalah Tetrastigma sp, Calamus ornatus, Cinnamomun inners, Pterospermum diversifolium dan Dracontomelon mangiferum. Sedangkan asosiasi tingkat semai dan tumbuhan bawah adalah Colomus orantanus, Pipturus repandus dan Tarenna incerta. Penyebaran Rafflesia patma di Cagar Alam Leuweung Sancang secara sporadis meliputi areal yang berdekatan dengan pantai pada tinggi berkisar antara 0 – 35 m dpl dan jarak dari pantai berkisar antara 5 – 700 m kemiringan lahan umumnya diatas atau tidak lebih dari 5 %

Acaman kelestarian yang terjadi pada Rafflesia patma yang terdapat di Cagar Alam Leuweung Sancang adalah terjadinya pemungutan kuncup oleh masyarakat untuk bahan baku jamu (Priatna et al, 1980)

http://www.rafflesia.info/patma.htm

THE ROLE OF PROTECTED AREAS IN THE CONSERVATION OF RAFFLESIA IN MALAYSIA

Thursday, October 19, 2006

THE ROLE OF PROTECTED AREAS IN THE CONSERVATION OF RAFFLESIA IN MALAYSIA

This paper was published recently by PERHILITAN and should be cited as: K. Mat-Salleh, A.H. Mohd-Ros & J. Donna (2006). The Role of Protected Areas in the Conservation of Rafflesia in Malaysia in: Sahir Othman, Siti Hawa Yatim, Sivananthan Ellagupillay, Shukor Md. Nor, Norhayati Ahmad, Shahrul Anuar Mohd. Sah (eds.) Management and Status of resources in protected areas of Peninsular Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur: Department of Wildlife and National Parks, pp 141-154

Reprinted here for your reading, the formating was off, so the italised species name are printed here unconvensional non-ital.:

THE ROLE OF PROTECTED AREAS IN THE CONSERVATION OF RAFFLESIA IN MALAYSIA

K. Mat-Salleh, A.H. Mohd-Ros & J. Donna
School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences,
Faculty of Science and Technology,
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor
E-mail: pakdin@pkrisc.cc.ukm.my
kamarudinmatsalleh@gmail.com

Abstract

Cursed with a smell reminiscent of rotting carcass and labelled the 'stinking corpse lily', Rafflesia, the world's largest flower is being threatened in Malaysia. Notwithstanding, Rafflesia is rapidly becoming a prominent symbol for conservation efforts. Since the first introduction of Rafflesia arnoldii by Robert Brown in 1821, more than 28 species of Rafflesia have been described by various botanists. However, only 20 species are currently recognised. With the latest description of Rafflesia azlanii, the total number of species of rafflesias in Malaysia has been increased to 8, all of them except R. hasselttii are endemics. Although Rafflesia is rare and vulnerable, all 8 species of Malaysian Rafflesia occur in protected areas. Sabah and Sarawak species are probably the least worrying taxa since they are all protected in large tract of national park networks. This is an opposite in Peninsular Malaysia. Most of the species are in the brink of destruction and extinction because they are not, in reality, effectively legally protected. Although known populations of Rafflesia cantleyi and R. azlanii are found in Taman Negara and R. kerrii are found in yet to be gazzeted Gunung Stong State Park in Kelantan, buds of all species are being stripped freely out of these sites. Blooms around the Royal Belum are being destroyed not only by orang asli but also trampled in poorly planned ecotourism schemes. More surveys are being carried out in Taman Negara to map all populations of Rafflesia in this area and Parks authorities should be made aware or their existence. The Rafflesia in Taman Negara should be protected at all cost.

1. Introduction

Rafflesia is rapidly becoming a prominent symbol for conservation efforts. Unlike many well known animals adopted by conservation societies, plants were not be considered awe-inspiring. This has changed in the late 1980?s when impressive Rafflesia species with their gigantic flowers and unique biological features generates substantial interests in south east Asia. Wide publicity on new species emerging from extensive search of new taxa, add pressure to already established ecotourism income throughout its range in Southeast Asia. This has resulted in active conservation efforts in Asia.

Since the first introduction of Rafflesia arnoldii by Robert Brown in 1821, more than 28 species of Rafflesia have been described by various botanists (Table 1). The first major revision was published by Meijer (1984) with a preliminary key to 12 species of Rafflesia, with four species were new to science then. Meijer (1997) later published a detail account of his revision in the Flora Malesiana in which he recognised 13 species, including the new Rafflesia tengku-adlinii which was published a few years earlier by Mat-Salleh & Latiff (1989). Meijer (1997) recognises Rafflesia patma - R. zollingeriana and R. tuan-mudae - R. arnoldii as conspecifics, unpopular disposition that was not regarded as a good decision by later taxonomists (i.e. Zuhud et al. 1998, Nais 2001). Nais (2001) in the latest revision presented in his excellent "Rafflesia of the World" recognised 18 spesies and one variety, inclusive of 3 imperfectly known Bornean species (R. borneensis, R. ciliata and R. witkampi) due to the lack of well-preserved herbarium materials. Very recently, Wong and Gan (2002) reported a new species of Rafflesia from Peninsular Malaysia which was dubbed as Rafflesia ?No. 19?. However, the real 19th species of Rafflesia was published by Barcelona et Fernando (2002) from endemic populations in the Antique region in the Philippines?s Panay Island. Rafflesia no. 19, was later published as Rafflesia azlanii by Latiff & Wong (2004).

Rafflesia species are patchily distributed from the Kra Isthmus in Thailand and south and westwards in Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo, Java and the Philippine Islands (Mat-Salleh 1991, Nais 2001). Beside biological hiccups for Rafflesia has been known to have high mortality rate, bud-collection for traditional medicines has been of a great problem for some populations of Rafflesia (Ismail et al. 1988, Nais 2001). Thus, Rafflesia is exceedingly rare, and some species may be at the brink of extinction. Conservation of the Rafflesias has been given a high priority. In Indonesia, Rafflesia is protected by law and designated the National Rare Flower. In Malaysia, extensive efforts have been put into monitoring and protecting areas inhabiting Rafflesia species (Ismail et al. 1988, Nais & Wilcock 1998).

Rafflesia has been noted to feature an exceptional diversity in size, floral colour, pattern and distribution. The diameter of the flowers ranges from minute 15 cm (R. manillana, R. rochussenii) to giganteous one meter across. Some species are monotonous in colour and pattern of blotches and yet others with striking white blotches against the red background on the perigone lobes and diaphragm, either raised globbose individual spots or shapeless joined continuum, as shown in diagrams and photographs in Meijer (1997) and Nais (2001).

For taxonomic purpose, the circumscription of Rafflesia species is based on floral morphology such as size of the flower, size and spot pattern of the diaphragm, the size of aperture opening, number of processes, pattern of inside ?windows?, number of anthers, number of annuli, and structure, length and positioning of ramenta (Meijer 1997, Nais 2001).


Table 1. Published species of Rafflesia compiled from Index Kewensis, with recognised species given in bold.

1. Rafflesia arnoldi R. Br. in Trans. Linn. Soc. 13 (1821) 201
2. Rafflesia arnoldii var. atjehensis (Koord.) W. Meijer in Fl. Males., Ser. 1, 13 (1997) 23
3. Rafflesia cumingii R. Br. in Trans. Linn. Soc. 19 (1844) 243 (= R. manillana)
4. Rafflesia hasseltii Suring. Acta Soc. Reg. Sc. Neerl. (1879) 4-5
5. Rafflesia horsfieldii R. Br. in Trans. Linn. Soc. 19 (1844) 242 (=?)
6. Rafflesia lagascae Blanco, Fl. Filip. ed. 2. (1837) 595 (= R. manillana)
7. Rafflesia manillana Teschem. in Boston Journ. Nat. Hist. 4 (1844) 63-65, t. 6
8. Rafflesia patma Blume, Flora 8 (1825), 609
9. Rafflesia philippensis Blanco, Fl. Filip. ed. II. (1837) 565 (= R. manillana)
10. Rafflesia rochussenii Teysm. & Binn. in Nat. Tijdschr. Nederl. Ind. 1 (1850) 425
11. Rafflesia schadenbergiana Goepp. ex Hieron. in Gartenfl. 34 (1885) 3; t. 1177
12. Rafflesia titan Jack, Desc. Malay. Plants, 3 (1820) 1 (= R. arnoldi)
13. Rafflesia tuan-mudae Becc. in Atti Soc. Ital. Sc. Nat. 11 (1868) 197
14. Rafflesia atjehensis Koord. in Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenz. 3 Ser. 1 (1918) 177 (= Rafflesia arnoldii var. atjehensis)
15. Rafflesia borneensis Koorders, Bot. Overz. Rafflesiac. Ned.-Ind. (1918) 47
16. Rafflesia cantleyi Solms-Laubach in Ann. Jard. Buitenz. 20, Suppl. 3 (1910) 2
17. Rafflesia ciliata Koorders, Bot. Overz. Rafflesiac. Ned.-Ind. (1918) 64
18. Rafflesia gadutensis W. Meijer in Blumea 30(1): 211 (1984)
19. Rafflesia keithii W. Meijer in Blumea 30(1): 211 (1984)
20. Rafflesia kerrii W. Meijer in Blumea 30(1): 212 (1984)
21. Rafflesia micropylora W. Meijer in Blumea 30(1): 213 (1984)
22. Rafflesia patma Blume in Flora 8 (1825) 609
23. Rafflesia pricei W. Meijer in Blumea 30(1): 214 (1984)
24. Rafflesia tengku-adlinii K. Mat-Salleh & A. Latiff in Blumea 34(1): 112 (1989)
25. Rafflesia witkampi Koorders, Bot. Overz. Rafflesiac. Ned. Ind. (1918) 61
26. Rafflesia zollingeriana Koorders, Bot. Overz. Rafflesiac. Ned. Ind. (1918) 67
27. Rafflesia speciosa Barcelona et Fernando, Kew Bull 57 (2002) 648
28. Rafflesia azlanii Latiff et M. Wong, Folia Malaysiana 4: 135-146


2. Rafflesias of Malaysia

With the latest description of Rafflesia azlanii, the total number of species of rafflesias in Malaysia has been increased to 8. However it has no effect on the number of species in Peninsular Malaysia, which remains with 3 species: Rafflesia cantleyi, Rafflesia kerrii, and Rafflesia azlanii. However all of Peninsular Malaysian species are now endemics, since widely distributed Rafflesia hasseltii is no longer occuring in Peninsular Malaysia, and all populations attributed to this species have been transferred to R. azlanii. Likewise, Sabah is also with three endemic species; R. pricei, R. keithii and R. tengku-adlinii. Unlike Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah, the number of species in Sarawak is less certain but suffice to note that current count based on photographs indicate that only three species are confirmed: R. tuan-mudae and R. hasseltii in the south and R. pricei in the north. Previous report of R. keithii in Lanjak-Entimau turns out to be R. tuan-mudae.

2.1. The Distribution and Conservation of Rafflesia in Malaysia

2.1.1. Rafflesia cantleyi Solms-Laub.

Described by H. Graft zu Solms-Laubach in 1910 in honor of Nathaniel Cantley, the former Curator of Singapore Botanic Gardens (1880-1886) this species is classified as a medium size (30 ? 55 cm in diameter). Cantley collected the unnumbered type specimen in 1881 and given to Solms. Meijer (1984) and Wong, & Latiff (1994) have erronously published early report attributed this species as R. hasseltii based on earlier identification by Ridley (1910). This medium size species is an endemic to Peninsular Malaysia and found in the primary and secondary lowland dipterocarp forests (450 - 650 m asl) in Perak, Terengganu, Kelantan, Pahang and Tioman Island. The species was listed as vulnerable, threatened with over-collection of buds for their purported medicinal properties.

Rafflesia cantleyi has not been previously officially reported inside the Taman Negara. However several flowers were photographed in the southern border near Gunung Mandi Angin by En. Samsul Kamis of UPM in Aug 2000. The mature buds of these species are also found in the forests near Kg. Pasir Raja in Terengganu in the northern part of Taman Negara near Kuala Koh, Kelantan. Easily accessable populations of this species are available in Hutan Simpan Bukit Tacing, Benta, Pahang and Hulu Geroh, near Gopeng, Perak.

2.1.2. Rafflesia kerrii Meijer

Known locally as Bunga Pakma or Bua Phut, this species was published by Willem Meijer in 1984 based on type specimen collected by A.F.G. Kerr from Kho Pawta Luang Keo, Ranong on 3 Feb. 1929. This species was named after him, an Irish physician, who became Siam's first Government botanist. Kerr made extensive collections of Rafflesia in Thailand and his specimens were deposited in several herbaria, mainly in Bangkok (BK) and London (K and BM). For decades Kerr?s specimens remained ignored and undescribed until it was discovered by Meijer in 1981 (Wong 1992, Wong & Gan 2003, Meijer & Elliotts 1990).

This rare species is the largest in the Malay Peninsula with open flower 50-70 cm in diameter and large orifice (12-20) cm across and short processes (ca 3 cm long). The host of this species is somewhat special because it was found in Tetrastigma tuberculaturn (Blume) reported by Latiff (2001) in Peninsular Malaysia and T. quadrangulum by Gagnep & Craib in Thailand (Wong and Gan 2003). Found at 500-1000 m asl in primary or logged over lowland and hill dipterocarp forest in southern Thailand (Ranong and Surat Thani) and Peninsular Malaysia (near Kelantan-Perak-Pahang borders), this species was earlier thought to be endemic to Thailand. However, it was collected in 1935 at Tepuh Hill on the Kelantan-Thailand border and in 1992 in G. Chamah (Kelantan-Perak border) and Pengkalan Hulu in Keroh, Perak.

According to Wong & Gan (2003), R. kerrii has been recorded in less than 10 localities in Thailand, from Prachnab Khirkhan southwards to Ranong to Khao Sok to the Yala-Betong Halabala Forest Reserve. Within Peninsular Malaysia, the distribution of R. kerrii appears to be confined to the Main Range in Kelantan State with the exception of those found near Pengkalan Hulu. Perak on the Bintang Range. It was first recorded in Kelantan from Bukit Tepuh near Jeli at the border of Kelantan with Thailand, where a bud was collected in 1935 by H. Witkarnp. It was also found in Gunung Chamah (Gan 1993), and along Sg. Semuliang in Gunung Stong. The southern most populations are found in Lojing Highlands and Hutan Simpanan Kekal Sg. Bells. Outside Kelantan the only verified report is from Pengkalan Hulu, Perak (Wong & Latiff 1994).

2.1.3. Rafflesia azlanii Meijer

The existence of the species that is seems to represent R. hasseltii in Peninsular Malaysia was discovered during the Malaysian Nature Society Heritage and Scientific Expedition to Sungai Halong, Temenggor, Perak in September 1993 by John Dawn, Marcus Erie and Kok Swee Ngor. The species was observed and photographed, seemed to differ from R. cantleyi. It was then thought to possibly be the missing R. hasseltii, and was recorded as such (Latiff et al. 1995).

In 1994, another observation of the species was made by Matthew Wong on the slopes of Gunung Ulu Sepat, Perak at c. 2000 m asl. Yet another and perhaps more significant population was discovered on 20th June 1997 (Latiff & Mat-Salleh 2001), still then believed to be R. hasseltii. It was also realised that Mr. Forest Gan had observed and recorded it earlier on Mt. Chamah in January 1993 (vide Wong & Gan 2002). No good specimens for study had been available until 2002, when Wong collected the type (Wong 5) in early May that year from the Kelantan-Perak border. The specimen displayed characters that differ from R. cantleyi and R. hasseltii - and also with the other species described so far (Meijer 1997, Nais 2001). These observations had prompted Wong and Gan (2002) to announce the discovery of the new species as `Rafflesia sp. 19'. After further months of careful observations, the new taxon has been distinguished taxonomically from R. cantleui and R. hasseltii and published as R. azlanii, named in honour of HRH Paduka Seri Sultan Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, the Patron of the Malaysian Nature Society Heritage and Scientific Expedition to Belum (Latiff & Wong 2004)

2.1.4. Rafflesia pricei Meijer

The rare Rafflesia pricei is probably one of the most revered amongst other protected species of Rafflesia. Its submontane habitats are relatively safe in well covered Sabah's network of protected areas. According to Nais (2001) two sanctuaries have been created to protect this species; the Rafflesia Forest Reserve in Tambunan District and the Poring-Mamut Rafflesia Sanctuary within the Mamut Copper Mine lease in Ranau District.

Rafflesia pricei, as wells as R. keithii and R. tengku-adlinii, are endemics of Borneo. It is currently known from eastern slopes of Crocker Range and in western and southern areas of Mt Kinabalu. Many populations were reported in Tambunan Rafflesia Conservation and Information Centre, The Poring-Mamut Rafflesia Sanctuary Within the Mamut Copper Mine area in Ranau, Langanan Waterfall in Poring Hot Springs, and Bukit Lugas and Bukit Tunturugung near Bundu Tuhan, Ranau, Sabah. It was also reported from Sarawak (Kelabit Highlands near Gunung Murud in Bario) and in Brunei (Bukit Retak). According to Nais (2001) it is also probably in Upper Kayan, near Long Ampin, East Kalimantan.
Rafflesia pricei was named in honor of William Robert Price, a honourary plant collector - volunteer from Kew Herbarium, England. Price made a collection along the trail to Mamut Copper Mine at 1300 asl in 1967 that was later designated as a type specimen by Meijer (1984). He was reportedly at an advanced age of 82 when he came to Sabah and had to be carried to the site of the type locality. However he was not the first to collect because Rev. Joseph and Mary Strong Clemens, the famous Kinabalu plant collectors has gathered a specimen on 17 March 1932 from the South-western part of Kinabalu and in 1966 Bruce Weber (U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer) and George Carson (Conservator of Forests) discovered a population with 125 buds on the south western slope of Mount Kinabalu, near Mamut and Poring.

This small - flowered Rafflesia (25 to 30 cm in diameter) grows in higher altitudes (around 1000 1400 m asl) takes 6-9 months to mature. Weber (1967) was the first to write about this Rafflesia, after a discovery of "a population of some 40 buds in area of about half an acre in Pinousok Plateau" in the eastern side of Kinabalu. This well-known species was featured several times on the front page of magazines, journals and books. Photographs were also widely distributed. Unfortunately, this original site was destroyed when the area was degazetted and excluded from Kinabalu Park. It was later developed into golf course and copper mine. Nevertheless, new sites have been discovered in Bukit Lugas, near Bundu Tuhan (Masni 1984) and recently at the Tenompok Pass, around statelands near Kg. Kiau on the foot of Kinabalu. There were numerous populations discovered along eastern slopes of Crocker Range in several areas between km 6164 Kota Kinabalu Tambunan Road, which is now part of the Rafflesia Sanctuary Forest Reserve, fully equipped with Rafflesia Information Center to serve visiting tourists.

2.1.5. Rafflesia keithii Meijer

Endemic to Sabah, this R. arnoldii equivalent was described by Dr. Willem Meijer in 1984 based on specimen collected by Leopold Madani, Sandakan Herbarium?s senior collector from Sungai Melaut, Sabah. The flower can reach 100 cm across with dense large white warts and small warts interspersed with the larger ones. Its Diaphragm with 5 concentric rings of white warts about 40 in radial rows, each surrounded by dark red brown margin. The ornamental pattern in the perigone lobes was cited by Meijer (1984) to be used to differentiate betweeen the species and R. arnoldii.

Rafflesia keithii has an ecological range up to 400 asl, and is reported in Lohan Valley and Poring Hot-Springs in Ranau. It is also found in the eastern slope of Crocker Range from Tambunan to Tenom, but never found in the western slope. It was also found in the western slope of Trus Madi Range near Tambunan.

It was named in honour of Mr. Harry G. Keith, the former Forest Conservator of Sabah and the husband of Agnes Keith, celebrated author who has written many books while they were in Sandakan.

2.1.6. Rafflesia tengku-adlinii Mat-Salleh & Latiff
Rafflesia tengku-adlinii is a hyper-endemic species to interior Sabah, found in only two localities in the eastern slopes of Mount Trus Madi and at Gunung Lotung, within the Sabah Foundation's Maliau Basin Conservation Area. Occurs in hill dipterocarp forests up to 800 m asl. First discovered by the author in December 1987 around Kampung Tempulun, near Kampung Kaingaran, Tambunan on the western slope of Mount Trus Madi. The existence of this species was probably first suspected by the discovery of buds around Telupid in Sabah in 1981 (Meijer 1997) but he initially thought he had rediscovered R. borneensis . The species was later discovered on Mount Lotung, within the Maliau Basin Conservation area in 1988 and at Kampung Sinoa on the southeastern slope of Mount Trus Madi (Nais 1997). The species has been designated by IUCN as an endangered species.

2.1.7. Rafflesia tuan-mudae Becc.

This species was first described by explorer-taxonomist Eduardo Beccari in 1868 and as far known as endemic to Southwestern Borneo. Medium size flower of 40-60 cm across, Beccari himself were not confident to the species, and has himself reduced it as conspecific with R. arnoldii. Later on, it was revived by Solms-Loubach in 1891, and was also recognised by Koorders (1918), because of its smalller size flower with fewer warts on perigone lobes. Coomans de Ruiters later collected a specimen in SW Kalimantan, which was identified as R. tuan-mudae but Meijer (1984) after studying Ruiter?s illustration concluded that it was similar to R. arnoldii.

It has been reported only in the area of Gunung Gading, Lundu and Pedawan, Serian. Photographs from Lanjak-Entimau indicated that it was also available there. The species is now quite well known to the public as articles on and photographs of it have been published in newspapers, magazines and popular journals from time to time.

2.1.8. Rafflesia hasseltii Suringar

Rafflesia hasseltii was described by Willem Frederik Reinier Suringar (1832 ? 1898), in 1879 (Suringar 1880) based on the collection of Van Hasselt, Veth and Snelleman on 29 Dec 1877 from Liki and Lompatan Andjing in Sumatra and was said to be known as ?Tjendawan Matahari?. More importantly, the species was said to resemble R. arnoldii R. Br. and R. patma Blume but with smaller flower than the two. The species was illustrated in detail showing the pattern of spots on the perigone lobes and diaphragm as well as lateral sections of the flower. Early European botanists in Malaya including Meijer (1983) had indentified Malayan species currently known as Rafflesia cantleyi Solms-Laubach as R. hasseltii due to the similarity of the spots in Suringar?s illustration to this species. Meijer (1984, 1997) however changed his mind and treated that common central Malaysian species as Rafflesia cantleyi and adopted another species from Sumatra as R. hasseltii, which was later adopted by Ervizal Zuhud et al (1998) in their Rafflesia of Indonesia account. It was then become a norm to identify the one in Sumatra as R. hasseltii.

The species was also thought to be available in Samunsam, Sarawak based on blurred picture taken by Cheksum Tawan from UNIMAS in 1999 (Nais 2001). This was later confirmed by Ong (2004). Rafflesia hasseltii in Tanjung Datu has 2 ? 3 rings of whitish pink warts surrounded with red circle. The upper zone of the flower tube near attachment of the diaphragm has two instead of four rings of toadstool-like compound ramenta, and 25 ? 28 anthers as compared to only 20 anthers in Sumatra.

CONSERVATION OF RAFFLESIA

It was recognised that Rafflesia has become so evolutionarily specialized that the entire plant is but a single flower devoid of leaf, stem or roots. The only vegetative parts are fine filaments that penetrate into the Tetrastigma host. The flowering phase begins modestly as a small blackish protuberance, breaking out of protective cupule, then growing slowly some 6-10 months to take a huge reddish-brown cabbage-like bud. When in bloom, the flower lavishly displays its five fleshy perigone lobes, often mistaken as ?petals?. Some large Rafflesias are said to emit a penetrating smell more repulsive than a buffalo carcass in an advanced stage of decomposition, while in smaller species, the odour is only faint or nonexistent. Some species were seen to emit fragrances in the first few hours of blooming. Unfortunately, in spite of its size, a Rafflesia blooms does not last long, enough for flies to pollinate if and when male and female flowers are syncronisely blooming. Parasitic mode of life, specialized biological requirement, a long generation time, high mortality, and initial rarity are all perfect ingredients for extinction. This biological peculiarity is one of the hiccups that make Rafflesia very vulnerable (Ismail et al. 1998, Mat-Salleh 1991). Unlike other plants and animals, ex-situ conservation of Rafflesia is almost impossible. Thus any additional pressure such as habitat loss due to forest clearance, illegal harvesting, sabotage or unitentional tramplings can easily push it over the brink.

In recent years the general public in Malaysia has been actively involved in conservation and environment issues. In early 1988, after enormous pressure from public due to the lost of type locality of newly found Rafflesia tengku-adlinii, a state-level committee was set up to look into the conservation of Rafflesia in Sabah. The committee's major responsibility is to draw up strategies for maintaining a proper balance between forest exploitation and the preservation of selected Rafflesia conservation areas. As a result, the conservation of Rafflesia in Sabah was assured with the gazzetment of Rafflesia Forest Reserve in Tambunan. Other states have followed Sabah in maintaining some reserves dedicated to the conservation of Rafflesia.

3. TAMAN NEGARA AS A SANCTUARY FOR RAFFLESIA IN PENINSULAR MALAYSIA

As Peninsular Malaysia's largest and arguably most spectacular flowers, R. kerrii, R. cantleyi and R. azlanii, together with R. pricei, R. keithii, R. tuan-mudae and R. tengku-adlinii from Sabah are truely national treasures and worthy of the most urgent conservation measures. If habitat destruction and over-collection of flowers are allowed to continue, Malaysia will lose an important component of its natural heritage. What will future generations think of us if we do not prevent their extinction ?

Several issues are needed to be addressed. The most important aspect is the enforcement of whatever legal means available. Our forestry department should act proactively and educational sessions with orang asli should be organized. There are lot needs to be done in Peninsular Malaysia including vigorous promotion on current sites as a tourist attraction at national, state and even district levels. The promotion of rafflesia as a tourist attraction would not only bring in funds for conservation works but might also persuade villagers that the flowers are more valuable left growing rather than cut for sale for a few sen worth. In the Sabah and Sarawak, and Sumatera, rafflesia is already a well known tourist attraction

It would of course be ideal if we could bring rafflesia from the wild and propagate them in botanical gardens or parks. Unfortunately, this is far from ideal. Rafflesia in Sabah is not very critical because R. pricei is protected in Tambunan Rafflesia Forest Reserve and R. tengku-adlinii in Meliau protection basin. Perhaps R. keithii is the only species not currently protected in forest reserves or park. In Sarawak healthy populations of R. tuan-mudae are protected within Gunung Gading and Lanjak Entimau National Parks. In Peninsular Malaysia, all the three species are available in our protected areas. We believe that R. cantleyi and R. azlanii are available in Taman Negara and R. kerrii can be protected if the Gunung Stong State Park is properly gazeted and managed.

Acknowledgements

The authors are most grateful to Dato? Hj. Saharudin Ismail (JPSM) for his permission and support, Tn. Hj. Sahir Othman (PERHILITAN) for permission to work in The National Parks and the organizers of the workshop for their invitation to the main author to present this paper. This study will be supported financially through IRPA grant 09-02-02-0035EA131 from MPKSN Malaysia.


References

• Barcelona, J.F. & E.S. Fernando. 2002. A new species of Rafflesia (Rafflesiaceae) from Panay Island, Philippines. Kew Bull. 57: 647-651
• Gan, F. 1993. A new record of Rafflesia in Peninsula! Malaysian Naturalist 47 (l &2): 8-9
• Ismail, G.; K. Mat Salleh, L. Ali & T.D.Z. Adlin. 1988. Rafflesia of Sabah: A case for conservation. Sabah Soc. Journal 9:437456
• Koorders, S.H. 1918. Botanish overzicht der rafflesiaceae van Netherlandsch-Indie. G. Kloff & Co., Batavia.
• Latiff, A. & K. Mat-Salleh. 1991. Rafflesia. In: R. Kiew (Ed.) The State of Nature Conservation in Malaysia. Malayan Nature Society.
• Latiff, A., K. Mat-Salleh, A. Z. Ibrahim, S. Muzni, I. M. Turner & J. W. H. Yong. 1995. Peliminary checklist of flowering plants from Temenggor Forest Reserve, Hulu Perak, Malaysia. Mal. Nat. J. (3&4): 175-188.
• Latiff, A. 2001. Studies in Malesian Vitaceae XII: Taxonomic Notes on Cissus Ampelocissus, Nothocissus and Tetrastigma and other genera, Folia malaysiana 2(3): 179-189
• Latiff, A. & K. Mat-Salleh. 2001. Note on the discovery of Rafflesia hasseltti Suringar (Rafflesiaceae) in Taman Negara, Peninsular Malaysia. Flora Malesiana Bull.12 (7/8): 393-395
• Latiff, A. & M. Wong. 2004. A new species of Rafflesia from Peninsular Malaysia. Folia Malaysiana 4: 135-146
• Masni Jubil. 1984. Kajian ekologi dan taksonomi Rafflesia di Sabah. Tesis Sarjanamuda Sains (Kepujian). Jabatan Biologi, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Kampus Sabah, Kota KInabalu.
• Mat-Salleh, K. & Latiff, A. 1989. A new spesies of Rafflesia and notes on other spesies from Trust Madi Range, Sabah (Borneo). Blumea 34: 111-116.
• Mat-Salleh, K. 1991. Rafflesia, Magnificent Flower of Sabah. Kota Kinabalu, Borneo: Borneo Publishing Company.
• Meijer, W. 1983. Rafflesia rediscovered. Malayan Naturalist: 21-27.
• Meijer, W. 1984. New spesies of Rafflesia. Blumea 30: 209-215.
• Meijer, W. 1997. Rafflesiaceae. Flora Malesiana Series I 13: 1-42.
• Meijer, W. and Elliotts. 1990. Taxonomy, Ecology and Conservation of Rafflesia kerrii Meijer in Southern Thailand. Natural History of Bulletin of the Siam Society 38: 117-133.
• Nais, J. 1997. Distribution, reproductive ecology and conservation of Rafflesia in Sabah, Malaysia. University of Aberdeen, Scotland, U.K (Ph.D. Disrertation).
• Nais, J. & C.C. Wilcock. 1998. The Rafflesia concervation incentive scheme in Sabah, Malaysia, Borneo. Sabah Parks Nature Journal 1: 9-17
• Nais, J. 2001. Rafflesia of the World. Sabah Parks, Kota Kinabalu in association with Natural History Publication (Borneo) Sdn. Bhd, Kota Kinabalu.
• Ong Lai Peng. 2004. Biologi Rafflesia hassettii di Taman Negara Tanjung Datu, Sarawak. Tesis Sarjanamuda Sains (Kepujian). Pusat Pengajian Sains Sekitaran dan Sumber Alam, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi.
• Ridley, H.N. 1910. A scientific expedition to Temenggoh, Upper Perak. J. Str Branch Roy. Asiat. Soc. 57: 5-122
• Suringar, W.F.R. 1880. Rafflesia hasseltii. Acta Societatis Regiae Scentiarum Neerlandicae 25 Oct 1879: 4-5
• Weber, B.C. 1967. Rafflesia, the largest flower in the world, in Kinabalu National Park. Sabah Society Journal 23: 111-113.
• Wong, M. 1992. Kerr?s Rafflesia - a rare botanical gem. Nature Malaysiana 17(4): 124-125, 128-129.
• Wong, M. & A. Latiff. 1994. Rafflesias of Peninsular Malaysia. Nature Malaysiana 19(3): 84-88.
• Wong, M. & F. Gan. 2002.Rafflesia No. 19: A new species of Rafflesia found in Peninsular Malaysia. Malaysian Naturalist 56:14-17
• Wong, M. & Gan, F. 2003. The elegant Rafflesia kerrii of Kelantan. Folia Malaysiana 4 (1): 53-62.
• Zuhud, E., A. M., Hikmat, A. & Nadzrun, J. (1998). Rafflesia Indonesia: Keanekaragaman, Ekologi dan Pelestariannya. Yayasan Pembinaan Suaka Alam dan Suaka Margasatwa Indonesia & Laboratorium Konservasi Tumbuhan Jurusan Konservasi Sumberdaya Hutan Fakultas Kehutanan IPB, Bogor

http://dendronetcetera.blogspot.com/2006_10_01_archive.html

Kapan di temukannya Rafflesia Patma Pertamakali?

Minggu, 29 Oktober 2006
http://www.republika.co.id/kirim_berita.asp?id=269814&kat_id=298&edisi=Cetak
Bunga Rafflesia
( )

Nama genusnya Rafflesia, diambilkan dari penemunya, TS Raffles. Ini bunga terbesar di dunia. Baunya busuk menyengat, menyerupai bau busuk bangkai ular. Lalat bangkai dan kumbang tertarik oleh bau bunga ini. Selain itu, seranggga itu mungkin juga tertarik oleh warnanya yang merah cerah, bertotol-totol putih seperti luka bernanah. Bentuknya seperti kawah. Dari jarak jauh, bau bunga ini sudah tercium, sehingga mendorong lalat mendatanginya, masuk ke dalam bunga dan melumuri punggungnya dengan serbuk sari. Bunga ini menghasilkan serbuk sari yang kental, dan semakin kental jika dibawa keluar oleh serangga, sehingga menjadi tahan lama.

Bunga ini mempunyai lima daun bunga, diameter ada yang mencapai 106 cm, diameter terkecil R manillana, hanya 20 cm. Berat, ada yang mencapai 11 kg (yaitu spesies R arnoldii). Rafflesia hidup sebagai parasit di tumbuyhan merambar, tetrastigma. Ada 15-19 spesies bunga Rafflesia

Rafflesia patma hidup di dataran rendah pantai selatan Jawa Barat dan Jawa Tengah. Rafflesia patma ditemukan pertama kali pada 1825 di Nusa Kambangan, Jawa Tengah. Sedangkan Rafflesia rochussenii ditemukan di pegunungan Jawa Barat. Di Bengkulu, Sumatra, ditemukan juga bunga Rafflesia, yaitu Rafflesia arnoldii ini. Inilah spesies pertama yang ditemukan pada 1818 oleh TS Raffles dan Dr Joseph Arnold, di Bengkulu. Diameternya mencapai 97 cm.

Di Malaysia bisa ditemukan tujuh spesies, dan lima di antaranya hanya ada di Malaysia. Orang Malaysia menyebut bunga ini sebagai bunga padma. di Indonesia ada yang menyebutnya sebagai bunga bangkai. Padahal yang dimaksud bunga bangkai bukan bunga ini. Bunga bangkai yang dimaksud adalah bunga yang berbahasa Latin Amorphopallus.

Spesies yang ada di Malaysia yaitu Rafflesia cantleyi dan Rafflesia kerrii, ditemukan di Peninsular, Rafflesia arnoldii, Rafflesia pricei, Rafflesia keithii, Rafflesia tuan-mudae, dan Rafflesia tengku-adlinii ditemukan di Sarawak dan Sabah. Rafflesia kerrii, Rafflesia keithi, Rafflesia tuan-mudae, dan Rafflesia tengku-adlinii merupakan spesies endemik di Malaysia.

Di Jawa dan Sumatra, bunga ini hidup di ketinggian 500-700 meter dai permukaan laut. Bunganya berkembang selama 5-6 hari lalu layu. Bunga yangmati akan jatuh menimpa dirinya sendiri, berubah menjadi hitam sampai biji matang di dalamnya. Binatang seperti gajah dan tupai membantu distribusi biji bunga Rafflesia ini. Kuku atapun cakarnya binatang ini membantu biji Rafflesia masuk ke tetrastigma kemudian tumbuh di tumbuhan merambat itu.

Pada 1924, kebun Raya Bogor berhasil menanam biji Rafflesia rochussenii di tetrastigma, dan 4,5 tahun kemudian berbunga. Rafflesia dikenal sebagai bunga yang tak bertangkai, tak berdaun, dan tak berakar dengan benar. i atumbuh dalam pembuluh batang tetrastigma di sela-sela batang, terbentuk kuncup, dan setelah 18 bulan mekar menjadi bunga. Enam bulan setelah mekar, matanglah bijinya.

Rafflesia dapat berkembang di kawasan hutan yang banyak tumbuhan rambat tetrastigma, banyak binatang yang bisa menyebarkan bijinya ke tumbuhan tetrastigma. Di perlukan juga banyak binatang mikro yang dapat menginfeksi akar tumbuhan tetrastigma itu. Dibutuhkan pula populasi mamalia yang besar sehingga ketika mamalia mati menyediakan tempat berkembang serangga penyebar biji Rafflesia.

Photo of Rafflesia Arnoldii from Curup, Bengkulu

http://largaenciel.multiply.com/photos/album/9/Rafflesia_Arnoldi#1

Rafflesia from Singkawang, west Borneo, Indonesia

Photo Information

Copyright: Joffre Salkeld (Joffre) (62)

Genre: Plants

Medium: Color

Date Taken: 1993-09

Categories: Rain Forest, Fungi, Flowers

Camera: Nikon F-401s, Nikkor 35-70 / 4,5-5.6, fuji 100, HOYA 55m PL-CIR

Photo Version: Original Version

Date Submitted: 2006-06-04 8:47

Shot of the famous Rafflesia, taken outside of Sinkawang, West Kalimantan...

The Rafflesia is sometimes called the World's largest flower (ie. growing up to a metre in diameter), actually it's a parasidic plant that spends most of it's time hidden in the base of jungle vines until the hard bud bursts through the host plant and rapidly develops its huge cauldron-like flower. Pollinated by flies, it is a carrion plant, preying on insects..

http://www.treknature.com/gallery/photo57534.htm

Rafflesia - the Biggest Flower

Photo Information

Copyright: James Parker (Jamesp) (9184)

Genre: Plants

Medium: Color

Date Taken: 2001-03

Categories: Flowers

Camera: Canon EOS 1vHS, Canon 24-70 mm f 2,8 L-USM

Photo Version: Original Version

Date Submitted: 2007-02-24 11:12

I have decided to post a flower today.

The Rafflesia is the world's biggest flower - some specimens are over a meter in diameter (this one was about 90cm). They are found in peninsula Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Borneo and the southern Philippines in rainforest habitat.

The flowers take about 10 months to develop from the woody, parasitic vine. The buds swell until they reach the size of a large cabbage or football and then open - but only last for 3 days. The flowers give off the smell of rotting meat to attract the flies which pollinate them.

There are 17 species of Rafflesia - this is one of the biggest - Keithii. The name Rafflesia come from Sir Stamford Raffles who gave his name to them and to the Raffles Hotel in Singapore.

There is no flowering season - you just have to be lucky - I was - there were two in flower on my visit and they were both quite close to the park HQ.

This is a scanned slide. As usual I didn't use a tripod (I am really bad about that) and I do not think I used a flash.

Sarawak, Gunung Gading National Park

Sweet Rafflesia

Rafflesia and my Dedication

View Araleya's map

Taken in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah (See more photos here)

5°58' 22" N, 116°4' 03" E5.972668116.067638

I dream to see this typical flower for long time. Never think that I would succeed in Kotakinabalu, the state of Malaysia in Borneo Island.

It's a kind of strange flower that bloom only 7 days directly from bud. Buds are on ground collect food for 6-7 months. It's noticed that these buds mostly found near to grape-like plant. In Kotakinabalu there is a research
Center for Rafflesia but the research lab is very big - in the true forest. At present, Rafflesia can only natural planted by NATURE.

As I go to research center so I didn't prepare for mountain hiking before. We had a forest man as a guide and climbed downhill for 45 minutes and slope was more steep till it was difficult to stand. We walked through the path full of moss and fern, moisted air and sound of stream flow nearer. I tried not to ask when we will reach it. I was soaking with sweat. Then the guide stopped suddenly and said it's was there on the left side. Even with 400 mm zoom len but it was there with dense plants around, so we walked carefully along the contour line to see it closely. The steep slope that we couldnot stand upright at all.

We had to pressed our foot firmly on ground not slipping down and grasp branches along the way.

Till we meet her near, sweat got into my eyes, with one hand grasped the instable branches and I passed my camera for my friend who stood in the position that could use two hands taking photo.

We were so near that we could touch. This type is small size and nmo bad smell. I didn't know I should glad or sad to find her instead of the huge size with bad smell, its reputation. However I found she was so lovely.

A flower growing out from small bud and blossom only a week. We met her on her sixth day. I touched her very lightly. Never think that I could go into jungle to find her family again any second time.

After that we climbed up for 1.30 hrs, more difficult with slope that's steeper than 45 degree for almost half way. I stopped to rest and drink water several times and said I could not make it any more. I need longer stop but we didn't want to waste the time of the forestry guide, so I tried harder. Even I felt I was biten by something on my leg but we didn't stop. I said maybe insect or snake, small and sudden pain for some seconds.

Its not a kind of normal trekking route but I go down into the rain forest chasm. Route seemed never-ending for me. Climbing up fast used lots of energy and I totally soaked with sweat like bathing. I said to my friend, this trip is specially dedeicated to her - the Rafflesia and I will never forget her and this route.

Till I could make it. We reached the top then I found my blue jean was filled with blood. we were biten by leech. It's my first time biten by leech. Normally I could feel the moment it will be bite and I get it out before. This time I felt before but I couldn't find a place to stop on that slope. Anyway glad to be biten, I wanted to know how to be biten by leech and never dare to.
So I conclude that

"This is just for her... I do for her...the Rafflesia. I will never forget you"

Borneo island is a very tropical rainforest location. Its average rainfall is 4000 mm a year and there are so many typical plants and animals there, one in the world. However rafflesia is found many locations around southeast Asia. In the south of Thailand, it is found too but I came to see this in Borneo island.

Location :
downhill forest
near to Rafflesia Research Center
Kotakinabalu, Borneo Island
Malaysia

http://www.flickr.com/photos/araleya/265624334/

Rafflesia speciosa Barcelona and Fernando

In 2002 a Rafflesia was seen blooming on the island of Panay, Antique province, Sibalom Natural Park (SNP) near the town of Sibalom. Sightings were also been reported in the adjacent town of San Remegio (also in Antique province) and nearby barangays at the Antique-Iloilo border. Up to this point in time, two species of Rafflesia had been described from the Philippine islands: R. manillana from the island of Luzon (Mt. Maquiling) and R. schadenbergiana from Mindanao (Mt. Apo). The latter species had not been seen since 1882 when it was first collected (Hieronymus s.n.). The plant was described by Göppert in 1885 whereas R. manillana was named by Teschemacher in 1842. These two species are easily distiguished from each other: R. manillana has a flower 15-20 cm in diameter (the smallest of all Rafflesia species) whereas the flower of R. schadenbergiana is one of the largest (up to 80 cm wide).

On March 15, 2002, I was contacted by Mr. Albert T. Mamora Jr., a biology graduate who now writes for a weekly newspaper in the province of Antique. He asked how one could identify the Philippine species of Rafflesia and suggested that the flower he was seeing was a new species. A series of correspondences ensued, and eventually I was directed to contact Dr. Julie Barcelona, a Botanist with the Philippine National Herbarium (PNH), National Museum of the Philippines in Manila. As it turns out, Julie, along with Dr. Edwino S. Fernando, was already involved in naming this new species of Rafflesia!

The discovery of this plant caused quite a sensation in the SNP where it was found. Many tourists visited the site and the event was covered by the local newspapers and television stations. The plant was first discovered by members of The Antique Outdoors (TAO), a conservation group in the province of Antique, Panay Island. Although the SNP is protected, Julie is working hard to ensure that additional sites where the plant was found are also protected. Presented below are some photographs, taken by Albert Mamora, Julie Barcelona and their assistants.

Description from Barcelona and Fernando (Kew Bulletin, 57: 647-651, 2002)

Mature buds 18-20 cm in diameter; cupule of mature flowers 2.5 cm high, 8.5 cm wide, bud scales to 11 cm long. Flowers (45-) 50-56 cm diam., 13-16 cm high when expanded. Perigone lobes orbicular, (10-) 12-18.5 (-20) X 14-22.5 cm, ca. 1 cm thick at base, dark-, reddish- or rusty-brown, becomming paler with age; upper surface warty, warts whitish, generally small and narrow, rather scattered, irregular in shape, whitish on a reddish-brown background in new bloom, undersurface smooth with white, roundish blots; margin entire to sinuate. Diaphragm 18-20 cm diam., to 7 mm thick, usually darker than the perigone lobes, upper surface appearing generally smooth, devoid of the white warts present on the perigone lobes, instead numerous smaller irregular white specks present all over, some occurring in groups that form two concentric rings around the rim, very prominent in newly opened flowers and fading with age, appearing brown on dark background when dry; the rim entire, whitish; orifice 9.5 - 10 cm diam. Disk ca. 9.5-12 (-14.3) cm in diam., ca. 6 mm thick, dome-shaped centrally, yellow-orange becoming reddish-orange at the periphery; rim of disk steeply raised with 1.0-1.5 cm raised part, enire to irregularly finely crenulate, reddish orange in new bloom; column to 2.5 cm above the base of the perianth tube, or ca. 6.5 cm from cupule base to the tip of disk, neck of column to 5.5 cm diam.; processes (17-) 20-27 (-31), usually arranged in 2-3 concenric rings pointing outward towards the rim, to 1.3-2.3 cm long, ca. 6 mm wide at base, reddish proximally, darker distally. Ramenta distributed all over the undersurface of the diaphragm, those above the perigone attachments generally stouter and reduced to tubercles, those below to ca. 2 mm long, becoming shorter towards the diaphragm base, simple or shallowly variably lobed. Male flowers with 19-24 anthers; anthers ca. 4.5 X 5 mm, anther cavity ca. 1.3 X 1.0 cm, densely hairy. Female flowers not known.



Albert Mamora Jr. posing with the flower of Rafflesia speciosa.



Albert Mamora and friend near the plants. Note the bamboo exclosure placed around some of the buds.



Close-up of the flower buds and an open flower in the background.



A fully opened flower and one that is senescing to the right.



Julie Barcelona (center) and two members of The Antique Outdoors group posing with the flower of Rafflesia speciosa.



Julie Barcelona (for scale!) with a flower bud of R. speciosa.



Close-up of the flower bud of R. speciosa



A senescent flower of R. speciosa. Hopefully there will be some fruit production in these populations.



A fully opened flower of Rafflesia speciosa. Fantastic! Julie notes that the markings on the perigone lobes look like Rice Crispies!


SIUC / College of Science / Parasitic Plant Connection / Rafflesiaceae
URL: http://www.parasiticplants.siu.edu/Rafflesiaceae/Raff.SpNov.page.html
Last updated: 14-May-07 / dln