The specific epithet derives from the Spanish word "mirar" which means "to look" or "look at", referring to the wonderful and surprising discovery of this new species.
This species was described and named in the following publication:
Fernando, E. S., and P. S. Ong. 2005. The genus Rafflesia R. Br. (Rafflesiaceae) in the Philippines. Asia Life Sciences 14: 263-270.
Later, another group published the following:
Madulid, D. A., D. N. Tandang, and E. M. G. Agoo. 2005. Rafflesia magnifica (Rafflesiaceae), a new species from Mindanao, Philippines. Acta Manilana 53: 1-6.
Both of these Rafflesia taxa derive from Mt. Candalaga, Compostela Valley, Mindanao Island in the Philippines and the descriptions are similar, thus they represent the same taxon. The Fernando et al. (2005) publication is being followed here because it circulated December 2005 whereas the Madulid et al. publication circulated July 2006 (despite the date given on the paper as 2005). Therefore, R. mira has nomenclatural priority and R. magnifica becomes a synonym.
The fully open flower having its measurements taken. Photo courtesy of DOT.
Open flower. Photo courtesy of DOT.
A flower at peak anthesis with Jackie Dizon. Photo courtesy of Sonia Garcia.
Two slightly senescent Rafflesia mira flowers. Photo courtesy of Rhonson Ng.