Rafflesia lobata Galang and Madulid
The specific epithet derives from the
morphology of the lobed diaphragm.
This species was described and named in the
following:
Galang, R. and D. A.
Madulid. 2006. A second new species of Rafflesia (Rafflesiaceae) from
Panay Island, Philippines. Folia Malaysiana 7: 1-8.
This species was discovered by Renee Galang during his expedition to
Mt. Igtuog and Mt. Sakpaw in the Central Panay mountain range during
the course of his study of the Philippine Spotted Deer (Cervus alfredi).
One of the most distinctive features of Rafflesia lobata is that some
populations have flowers with a lobed diaphragm that opens outward.
Nearly all other Rafflesia
(and Sapria) species have
diaphragms that curve inward. That said, it is interesting to note that
this feature is polymorphic in R.
lobata (at least as the species is currently defined). As
shown in the photos below, in some populations the diaphragm curves
inward and may be 3- or 6-lobed. Note the 6-lobed flower also has 6
perigone lobes. It remains to be seen whether flower merousity
has phylogenetic significance that should be taxonomically
recognized. It should also be noted that some populations of R. manillana, such as one at Bolos
Point, Cagayan Valley, Luzon, also have flowers with lobed, outwardly
curving diaphragms. See photos of this one and others HERE on PhytoImages.
For more information about this species, see:
Galang, R. 2007. Population study of Rafflesia
lobata in the northern section of the central Panay Island
mountain ranges, Philippines. Folia Malaysiana Vol 8(2) 87-98.
Galang, R. 2009. The distribution of Rafflesia
lobata in the northern section of the central Panay mountain
ranges, Panay Island Philippines. Folia Malaysiana Vol 10 (2) 99-108.
A five-lobed flower. Mt. Igtuog, Antique Province, Panay Island,
Philippines. Photo
by Renee Galang.
A three-lobed flower. Mt. Igtuog, Antique Province, Panay Island,
Philippines.
Photo by Renee Galang.
Above two photos: a 6-merous flower and close-up of the disk and
diaphragm. Two hour hike north of Camandag on Mt. Agua Colonia, Mnp.
Leon, Iloilo Prov., Panay Island, Philippines.
Photos by Ricky Brandie Martin.
A pair of slightly senescent flowers. Pandan, Antique Province, Panay
Island, Philippines. Photo by Renee Galang.
Aerial buds on Tetrastigma
host vine. Sebaste, Antique Province, Panay Island, Philippines.
Photo by Renee Galang.
A heavily infected Tetrastigma
host vine with lots of aerial buds and
flowers. Mt. Igtuog, Antique Province, Panay Island, Philippines.
Photo by
Renee Galang.
Aerial bud and flower. Mt. Igtuog, Antique Province, Panay Island,
Philippines.
Photo by Renee Galang.
Aerial bud and flowers. Mt. Igtuog, Antique Province, Panay Island,
Philippines.
Photo by Renee Galang.
A pair of simultaneously open flowers. Mt. Igtuog, Antique Province,
Panay Island,
Philippines. Photo by Renee Galang.
Open flower showing distinct lobing on diaphragm. Mt. Igtuog, Antique
Province,
Panay Island, Philippines. Photo by Renee Galang.
Close-up of top of disk. Mt. Igtuog, Antique Province, Panay Island,
Philippines.
Photo by Renee Galang.
Female flower, longitudinal section. Mt. Igtuog, Antique Province,
Panay Island,
Philippines. Photo by Renee Galang.
Male flower, longitudinal section. Mt. Igtuog, Antique Province, Panay
Island,
Philippines. Photo by Renee Galang.
Underside of disk (column removed) showing anthers with liquid pollen
being released. Mt. Igtuog, Antique Province, Panay Island,
Philippines.
Photo by Renee Galang.
SIUC / College of Science
/ Parasitic Plant Connection / Rafflesiaceae
URL:
http://www.parasiticplants.siu.edu/Rafflesiaceae/Raff.lobata.page.html
Last updated: 27-Jul-16 / dln