Notes on the Habitat, Flower Clustering, and Perigone Blooming of Corpse Flower Rafflesia lagascae Blanco in Salazar, Carranglan, Nueva Ecija ...
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Philippine Journal of Science RESEARCH NOTE
150 (S1): 377-382, Special Issue on Biodiversity
ISSN 0031 - 7683
Date Received: 15 Oct 2020
Notes on the Habitat, Flower Clustering, and Perigone
Blooming of Corpse Flower Rafflesia lagascae Blanco
in Salazar, Carranglan, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
Ryan P. Manuel1* and Jolito T. Hermocilla2
1College
of Forestry, Nueva Vizcaya State University
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya 3700 Philippines
2Forest Management Program (FMP), Seguim Watershed Office
Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO)
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija 3119 Philippines
Rafflesia lagascae refers to corpse flower populations in Luzon, Philippines once listed under
Rafflesia panchoana. The authors observed three ecological characteristics of R. lagascae cluster
found in Salazar, Carranglan, Nueva Ecija province, Philippines: 1) biophysical survey of the
habitat, 2) description of R. lagascae flowers and its clustering, and 3) observation of R. lagascae
using time-lapse photography. Of the three identified R. lagascae sites in the area, only one
had the viable cluster for observation. It was found that R. lagascae and its host, Tetrastigma
loheri, thrive in forest patches within the grassy landscape. The authors also observed that R.
lagascae flowering is not highly gregarious, where clusters are spaced considerably. Time-lapse
photographic monitoring showed that R. lagascae requires about 70% of a day-night cycle to
complete its flowering. Inherent biological traits of R. lagascae were primary factors for limited
observation, but its constant presence in Salazar opens opportunities for long-term monitoring,
which can raise better information for conservation efforts.
Keywords: Carranglan, ecology, habitat, Rafflesia lagascae, Seguim Watershed
Rafflesia lagascae Blanco (Rafflesiaceae) is a revived high bud mortality (Nais 2001), rarity, sparse distribution,
neotypification of Luzon island population of corpse a small population (Pelser et al. 2017), and host specificity
flowers once listed under Rafflesia panchoana Buot (Pelser et al. 2016, 2019) have been reported. Generally,
& Agoo (Pelser et al. 2017). An endo-holoparasite, Rafflesia is thought to be vulnerable to effects of forest
Rafflesia lagascae is a genetically curious species cover loss, shifting cultivation, and other land-use changes
– per Kedri et al. (2018) and Hidayati and Walck (2016).
because of its close semblance to Samar island’s Rafflesia
These natural and human-induced variables present
manillana Teschemacher. Hence, Pelser et al. (2017) logistical difficulty for researchers aiming to study and
describe the genetic structure of R. manillana and R. conserve Rafflesia lagascae.
lagascae as “complex.” While it is said to be the most
common of all Rafflesia found in the Philippines, its other One of the 16 known R. lagascae sites is in Barangay
delicate qualities like endemism (Barcelona et al. 2009), Salazar, Carranglan, Nueva Ecija (16°6 lat., 121°18 long.).
Harvesting, slash-and-burn farming, and migration in the
*Corresponding Author: nayrleunam@gmail.com area may aggravate thriving conditions for R. lagascae.
377
Philippine Journal of Science Manuel and Hermocilla: Notes on Rafflesia
Vol. 150 No. S1, Special Issue on Biodiversity lagascae in Carranglan, Philippines
This research note attempts to add to current knowledge fiber-glass tape. The soil samples were analyzed at the Soils
on R. lagascae found in Salazar. Three aspects are hereby Laboratory of Department of Agriculture Regional Field
presented: 1) biophysical survey of the habitat of Rafflesia Unit 02. Procedures used for targeted soil parameters were
lagascae, 2) description of R. lagascae clustering, and as follows: potentiometric method (pH), organic matter %
3) observation of R. lagascae employing time-lapse (nitrogen), Olsen’s bicarbonate method (phosphorus), and
photography. cold sulfuric extraction (potassium).
The authors commissioned scouting trips to potential R. Scientific names of trees were taken from The Plant List
lagascae habitats within the Barat-Seguim Watershed (2013) website. Data processing and calculations were
(Figure 1). The locales had reported three separate sites, done using Microsoft Excel. Alpha diversity indices were
but populations in two out of the three sites had already computed using the Paleontological Statistics (PAST) v3.2
perished by the time authors were about to conduct the software. To show perigone unfurling, photographs were
study. Data gathering entailed four days. stitched using the digital film-making software Cyberlink
PowerDirector. Playback was set to 30 frames per second
Using a 20 m x 20 m observation quadrat, biophysical to simplify the calculation of unfurling; one second of
characteristics of the habitat were noted, viz. elevation, the playback equals 3.4 h.
composition of canopy trees, light intensity (as proxy for
canopy closure), and soil characteristics. General biometric The active Rafflesia lagascae habitat was a low- to mid-
measurements of R. lagascae cluster were gathered such as montane forest ridge (750 masl) in a grassland-farming
bud diameter and distance between buds. To accomplish landscape. The habitat was also found to be near an
time-lapse documentation of flowering, the R. lagascae intermittent creek, which conforms to observations on the
bud that was visually largest and most about to open was genus Rafflesia by Kedri et al. (2018) and on R. manillana
selected. The bud was manually photographed every 10 min (which included R. lagascae back then) by Barcelona et al.
for two days and one night. The authors used Garmin eTrex (2009). At the time of observation (noontime), the average
20 GPS and Milwaukee Light meter to record elevation and ambient temperature was 30.2 °C. Light intensity under the
light intensity inside the canopy. For photo-documentation, canopy was 2,536 lux, equivalent to a typical overcast day.
a Nikon D3200 Digital Single Light Reflex Camera fitted
with Nikkor AF-S 18–55 mm lens and built-in flash, Trees that comprise the habitat (Table 1) were moderately
supplemented by two LED (light-emitting diode) lamps diverse (H’ = 2.62), and heterogeneous (1/D = 13.20;
were used. Biometric measurements employed standard Pielou’s J = 0.64). Canopy trees’ basal area was 2.89 m²; the
Figure 1. Site map of Rafflesia lagascae habitat in Carranglan, Nueva Ecija, Philippines. Map courtesy of
DENR-CENRO-FMP Seguim Watershed Office.
378
Philippine Journal of Science Manuel and Hermocilla: Notes on Rafflesia
Vol. 150 No. S1, Special Issue on Biodiversity lagascae in Carranglan, Philippines
Table 1. Tree species identified in the studied Rafflesia lagascae habitat in Salazar, Carranglan, Nueva Ecija, Philippines.
S Species name Common name n
1 Lithocarpus apoensis (Elmer) Rehder “Apo oak” 11
2 Madhuca sp. – 9
3 Chisocheton cumingianus (C.DC.) Harms “Balukanag” 7
4 Ardisia sp. – 5
5 Canthium monstrosum (A.Rich.) Merr. “Tadiang anuang” 3
6 Diospyros philippinensis A.DC “Kamagong gubat” 3
7 Phaeanthus ophthalmicus (Roxb. ex G.Don) J.Sinclair “Kalimatas” 3
8 Calophyllum blancoi Planch. & Triana “Bitanghol” 3
9 Carallia brachiata (Lour.) Merr. “Bakauan gubat” 3
10 Chisocheton pentandrus (Blanco) Merr. “Katong matsing” 3
11 Shorea contorta S.Vidal “White lauan” 2
12 Ficus botryocarpa Miq. ssp. subalbidoramea (ELMER) C.C.Berg). “Basikong” 2
13 Sauraruia sp. “Beltik” 2
14 Pterospermum celebicum Miquel “Bayok-bayokan” 1
15 Diplodiscus paniculatus Turcz. “Balobo” 1
16 Ficus sp. “Balete” 1
17 Nauclea orientalis (L.) L “Bangkal” 1
18 Macaranga tanarius (L.) Müll.Arg. “Binunga” 1
average was 0.36 m², implying that the patch is a secondary- C.C. Berg) at 5.20 m; this was also the primary anchor
type forest. In the observation area, the most dominant were of Tetrastigma loheri nearest to the corpse flower cluster.
Lithocarpus apoensis (Elmer) Redher, a certain Madhuca Researchers did not determine whether the R. lagascae
species, and Chisocheton cumingianus (C.DC.) Harms. The buds emanated from both host plants since it would mean
habitat contained two mature Tetrastigma loheri Gagnep. disturbing the root system of T. loheri. Pelser et al. (2017)
s.l anchored to the canopy trees. argued that it is difficult to tell by visual observation
alone whether the individual flowers emerge from one
Soil pH values averaged 5.54, with the lowest being 5.0. parasite or different parasites. However, it is plausible
This is within the usual pH range for tropical forest soils that a single host plant can be parasitized by more than
(Pajares and Bohannan 2016). Organic matter content one R. lagascae endophyte.
was adequate (> 0.20 %N), per Cruz (1982). Average
phosphorus levels were low (1.54 ppm), following The distance between seven identified Rafflesia lagascae
Heckman (undated). Dalling et al. (2016) and Foster and individuals averaged 75.20 cm; the median distance was
Bhatti (2006) noted that old forest soils naturally lack 30 cm. Senescent flowers were also present, indicating
phosphorus and potassium. The average K was 693.00 R. lagascae had started flowering at least 7 d prior to
ppm; values ranged from 200–1000 ppm. High K levels the observation period, similar to reports on Rafflesia
by the ridge may be due to the combined function of litter flowering by Kedri et al. (2018) and Nais (2001). Kedri
turnover, weathering, and the trapping of eroded soil. et al. (2018) argue that separate flowering times impede
pollination process. Given that Rafflesia is known to have
The observed R. lagascae individuals resemble that high bud mortality (Nais 2001, in Kedri et al. 2018), gaps
of Mt. Kanapawan form presented by Barcelona et al. in the flowering adds to the fragility of pollination within
(2009), in which the diaphragm is lobed (Figure 2). The and among clusters.
diameter of fully expanded flowers ranged from 15–27
cm; the central disk measured 5–7 cm. At the time, there The bud unfurled around 14:00, but photography started
were seven viable R. lagascae flowers and buds. These at 16:00. Full bloom was recorded at 07:27 the following
radiated towards more open parts of its forest habitat. The morning. The bud fully expanded after 15–17 h or 3 h
average distance of the cluster to the canopy trees was per perigone (Figure 3). Video-assisted inspection of
8.59 m. The nearest tree to cluster was a “basikong” tree unfurled perigones showed that there were two apparent
(Ficus botryocarpa MIQ. ssp. subalbidoramea (Elmer) phases leading to “full” blooming. Phase 1 occurs in the
379Philippine Journal of Science Manuel and Hermocilla: Notes on Rafflesia
Vol. 150 No. S1, Special Issue on Biodiversity lagascae in Carranglan, Philippines
Figure 2. Rafflesia lagascae
Blanco in Carranglan, Nueva
Ecija, Philippines: A) immature
buds; B) R. lagascae bud a day
before opening; C) a fully-opened
R. lagascae; D) distances between
R. lagascae flowers.
F i g u re 3 . K e y t i m e - l a p s e
photographs of Rafflesia lagascae
flowering at Carranglan, Nueva
Ecija, Philippines: A) 16:48; B)
17:39; C) 18:45; D) 21:54; E)
22:30; F) 23:45; G) 02:36; H)
04:30 (note the coin for scale); I)
07:27. Photos by JT Hermocilla.
380Philippine Journal of Science Manuel and Hermocilla: Notes on Rafflesia
Vol. 150 No. S1, Special Issue on Biodiversity lagascae in Carranglan, Philippines
first 650 min of blooming, where each perigone assumes Studies on Rafflesia, even the current ones, do not offer
a perpendicular orientation from the disk plane; Phase a detailed examination of blooming times. Phenological
2 from the vertical to the most oblique or open position studies on corpse flowers are scarce and scant details.
(Figure 4; Table 2). Thereafter, it was observed that the Hidayati and Walck (2016) reported that there is no
remaining mature buds did not open in perfect unison; definite flowering phenology among Rafflesia species
a blooming interval of about 12 h to a whole day was and that within-cluster flowering is “asynchronous.”
observed among such. In an older paper (Lays 2006), the flowering of R.
schadenbergiana Goeppert was reported to be only active
Prior to in situ observation of the corpse flower, local during “the end of wet season” in Mindanao island.
guides familiar with Rafflesia shared that flowers start
opening at night. Amini et al. (2019) and Kedri et al. For the authors, the blooming of R. lagascae starting early
(2018) also reported that Rafflesia (and in particular, R. afternoon was a rather fascinating observation, as Kedri
cantleyi) generally blooms at nighttime, and unfurling et al. (2018) also posited that Rafflesia flowering in the
may take 24–48 h. However, the time-lapse implies that tropical regions may be influenced more by day length
R. lagascae buds complete their flowering not as a strict rather than seasonality. Moreover, it was suggested in the
nocturnal. Also, Rafflesia lagascae only entailed about same paper, as well as in Nais and Wilcock (1998), that
70% of the day-night cycle, which is lower than the report canopy cover might have a canceling effect to day length
in the paper of Kedri and colleagues (2018). as a factor for Rafflesia flowering. Given that there was
Figure 4. Perigone (Pn) opening based on time-lapse photographs of Rafflesia lagascae flowering at Carranglan,
Nueva Ecija, Philippines. Phase 1 refers to the opening of perigones to a vertical position, whereas Phase
2 is from a vertical to a more oblique position. Bars show overlaps between the start/end of perigone
movement in each phase. Inset shows the total observed time of blooming.
Table 2. Perigone (Pn) blooming times based on time-lapse photographs of Rafflesia lagascae specimen observed at Carranglan, Nueva Ecija,
Philippines. Phase 1 refers to the opening of perigones to a vertical position, whereas Phase 2 is from a vertical to a more oblique position.
Observation time started at 1400 h.
Elapsed time (min)
Perigone
Start Phase 1 Phase 2
P1 0 150 810
P2 180 270 890
P3 210 630 1070
P4 240 630 1070
P5 350 650 1160
381Philippine Journal of Science Manuel and Hermocilla: Notes on Rafflesia
Vol. 150 No. S1, Special Issue on Biodiversity lagascae in Carranglan, Philippines
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