Researchers have found a new species of parasitic flowering plant in the forests of Pulau Tioman, an island in Malaysia.
A fully bloomed Rafflesia tiomanensis. Image credit: Yunoh et al.
Rafflesia is a genus of holoparasitic plants without leaves and true roots that exclusively infect lianas of the genus Tetrastigma.
They inhabit the tropical rainforests to the west of Wallace’s Line: from southern Thailand to Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia.
Some members of the genus are the largest flowers in the world — they can grow up to 1 m (3.3 feet) in diameter, weighing 10 kg.
When in bloom, all Rafflesia flowers emit a repulsive odor, similar to that of rotting flesh.
“In Peninsular Malaysia, seven species of Rafflesia are currently recognized,” said Dr. Siti-Munirah Mat Yunoh of the Forest Research Institute Malaysia and colleagues.
“All of these species are endemic to Peninsular Malaysia except Rafflesia kerrii, which is known to inhabit both Peninsular Malaysia and southern Thailand.”
The newly-identified species, scientifically named Rafflesia tiomanensis, occurs on Pulau Tioman in Malaysia’s federal state of Pahang.
“Pulau Tioman is the southern island in Pahang and is known as one of the most beautiful tropical islands in the world,” the scientists said.
“Most part of Pulau Tioman remains covered by pristine primary tropical rainforests, including the highest point of Gunung Kajang, which lies about 1,038 m (3,406 feet) above sea level.”
“In the context of ecotourism in the Pulau Tioman forest area, Rafflesia, or Bunga pakma, is an iconic flower, and many tourists hike to see it while visiting the island.”
Left: habitat showing flower of Rafflesia tiomanensis on its host, Tetrastigma rafflesiae. Right: Mr. Razelan Mohd Shah with flower of Rafflesia tiomanensis. Image credit: Yunoh et al.
“While exploring the Tioman forest area during a routine nature trip in the area of Kg. Juara, the third author, Mr. Razelan Mohd Shah, first encountered this notable new species,” they added.
“After careful examination, the flower was found to have a unique combination of characteristics that do not match any known species.”
According to the authors, Rafflesia tiomanensis is characterized by small discrete warts on the perigone lobes, the absence of warts on the diaphragm upper surface, lack of processes on the disk, the absence of disk rims, and the irregular shape whose opening aperture is variably lobed.
“All other species in Peninsular Malaysia have warts on the diaphragm upper surface, processes, and disk rims. This new species is thus entirely unique,” they said.
The discovery of Rafflesia tiomanensis is reported in the Malayan Nature Journal.
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Siti-Munirah Mat Yunoh et al. 2021. Rafflesia tiomanensis (Rafflesiaceae), a new species from Pulau Tioman, Pahang, Malaysia. Malayan Nature Journal 73 (1): 19-26
