Table of Contents
1. Parasitic plants
2. The host is very specific
3. Discovery after being lost for a long time
4. Large size
5. Conservation status
Jakarta, domclub Indonesia
—
Scientist
recently managed to find a rare species
Rafflesia hasseliti
.This flower was found in the forests of West Sumatra after 13 years of searching.
Rafflesia hasseltii is a rare and protected species of Rafflesia flower.This species can only be found in certain areas in Indonesia.
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This species depends on a particular host plant.This makes the Rafflesia hasseltii population very vulnerable to habitat destruction and other threats.
One of the researchers, Septian Andriki, said that he had spent 13 years looking for Rafflesia hasseltii.He discovered the flower with Dr Chris Thorogood, Deputy Director and Head of Science at Oxford University Botanic Gardens and Arboretum.
The team walked day and night through the Sumatran rainforest in search of Rafflesia hasseltii.
Quoting from various sources, here are five facts about Rafflesia hasseltii:
1. Parasitic plants
Rafflesia hasseltii is a holoparasitic plant that is completely dependent on Tetrastigma as a host, because it does not have chlorophyll, true roots, stems or leaves.In conservation research, it is explained that Rafflesia absorbs nutrients directly through the haustoria structure that penetrates the Tetrastigma tissue.
This dependence is very crucial, because R. hasseltii lives hidden in the host’s tissue apart from when it blooms, damage or loss of the Tetrastigma population will directly threaten the survival of Rafflesia.This makes host conservation an integral part of conservation efforts for this species.
2. The host is very specific
Even though Tetrastigma is widespread, not all types can become hosts for Rafflesia hasseltii.Certain types of Tetrastigma can be infected and support the growth of Rafflesia, indicating a co-evolutionary relationship between parasite species and their hosts.
This specificity is also a challenge in cultivation and restoration, when researchers try to plant Tetrastigma hosts in polybags for conservation, they have to choose the correct type so that Rafflesia can grow.
3. Discovery after being lost for a long time
R. hasseltii had not been observed blooming for many years, but was reported to bloom again in West Sumatra habitats after intensive thawing.This discovery is important because it shows that although very rare, wild populations still exist.
This rediscovery confirms that the life phase of Rafflesia can be very long and difficult to observe, because most of the time it is “hidden” in the tissue of the Tetrastigma host.These factors add to the difficulty of monitoring natural populations.
4. Large size
R. hasseltii blooms can be between 30 and 50 cm in diameter, making them very large and striking among the rainforest flora.
This large size is not only aesthetically pleasing, but the adaptive shape and size of the flowers help attract pollinating insects, such as carrion flies, as these flowers mimic rotting flesh in appearance and aroma, an important reproductive strategy for this parasitic species.
5. Conservation status
Rafflesia hasseltii is categorized as critically endangered, and is protected by Indonesian government regulations.Protection through PP no.7 of 1999 and “critical” status refers to the IUCN red list.
Because natural regeneration is very limited and its host habitat is very specific, conservation efforts are very important so that this species does not become extinct.Researchers and conservationists also emphasize the importance of maintaining Tetrastigma populations as the basis for the survival of R. hasseltii.
(wpj/dmi)
