Rafflesias of the Visayan Islands

Disclaimer: This is not the official press release or communications. The text are taken from the exhibit itself. All credit goes to the National Museum of the Philippines – Western Visayas Regional Museum, International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and for Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), CollAsia Field Projects (Connecting Communities and Collections), and the Cultural Heritage Administration of the Republic of Korea.

Rafflesia

Rafflesia speciosa

Barcelona and Fernando Rafflesiaceae

Rafflesia speciosa

In 2002, the Rafflesia speciosa, locally called, “Uruy” was seen blooming on the island of Panay, Antique by the members of The Antique Outdoors (TAO) while trekking in Sibalom Natural Park. Its flower spans about 45 to 56 cm in diameter, thrice larger than the flower of Rafflesia manillana. In the same year, the plant was named a new species of Rafflesia by Barcelona and Fernando. This species is not endemic to a single island, as it was seen in other regions of the Visayas other than Panay. The distribution pattern of Rafflesia speciosa is unusual for Rafflesia found in the Philippines wherein most of the species are confined only to a single island.

Rafflesia speciosa panay

Rafflesia manillana

Rafflesia size

Teschem Rafflesiaceae

Rafflesia manillana

The Rafflesia manillana is one of the smallest known Rafflesia with a flower that spans 15-20 cm in diameter. It was initially discovered in Basey, Samar in 1838 by Hugh Cuming. This plant is not only one of the smallest Rafflesia in the world but it is also considered a rare and endangered species. The rarity of the species may be due to infrequent pollination attributed to insect infestations that result in unsuccessful pollination and seed dispersal. In addition, there is also a threat to the species due to the imbalance in its sex ratio and the destruction of its natural habitat primarily by humans

Pambansang Museo sa Barangay: Bringing Museum Collections to the Fringes

Parts of the Pambansang Museo sa Barangay:

Haból Panay: The Woven Artistry of Western Visayas

Amlig: Biodiversity Conservation in West Visayas Faunal Region

Elephant and Stegodont: The Gentle Giants of Panay

Other helpful exhibits:

Rocks of the Visayan Islands

Shells of the Visayan Region

Protected Areas of the Visayan Region

The Forest Products

The Forest Stratification

The Kanlaon Volcano

The Chocolate Hills

The Pawikan

**Content was only based on the photos I took during my personal visit. I may have missed significant details.

shemaegomez

Sheila is a legal editor and a digital marketing enthusiast. She is a kdrama fan, a dog person and a certified foodie!

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Shells of the Visayan Region

Tue Jun 6 , 2023
Disclaimer: This is not the official press release or communications. The text are taken from the exhibit itself. All credit goes to the National Museum of the Philippines – Western Visayas Regional Museum, International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and for Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), CollAsia Field […]
Shells of the Visayan Region

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