The Protected Area Management Office of the Allah Valley Protected Landscape (PAMO-AVPL) has confirmed the blooming of a critically endangered Rafflesia schadenbergiana during a recent biodiversity monitoring mission inside the landscape’s Strict Protection Zone in South Cotabato.

According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Soccsksargen, the newly documented bloom measured an impressive 93 centimeters in diameter, making it the largest bloom ever recorded within the protected landscape.

Rafflesia schadenbergiana is one of the Philippines’ most iconic plant species and is considered the largest Rafflesia species in the country and the second largest in the world. The parasitic flower is endemic to Mindanao, historically recorded only in the mountainous forests of Davao, Bukidnon, and South Cotabato.

The species is listed as critically endangered, threatened by habitat loss, forest degradation, and human encroachment. Its rarity and sensitivity make each documented bloom an important scientific and conservation achievement.

PAMO-AVPL officials described the discovery as a “vital indicator of the health of the forest ecosystem,” emphasizing that the presence of the giant bloom confirms that portions of the protected area remain ecologically intact.

Forest rangers and DENR field personnel have increased patrols in the area to ensure that the bloom remains safe from disturbance. Strict protocols now restrict visitor access to the site to prevent damage to the delicate habitat.

The Rafflesia genus is often called the “corpse flower” due to its strong odor when in bloom, mimicking decaying flesh to attract carrion flies, which act as its pollinators. It has no leaves, stems, or roots, living entirely as a parasite inside a host vine until it bursts through the forest floor as a massive flower.

Each bloom lasts only a few days, making documentation rare and scientifically valuable.

Environmental advocates in Mindanao view this discovery as a reminder of the region’s exceptional biodiversity—and the pressing need to protect it. Forest habitat loss, agricultural expansion, and illegal activities threaten the survival of many endemic species, including Rafflesia schadenbergiana.

DENR officials reiterated that expanding monitoring efforts and community-based conservation programs will be essential for safeguarding the species’ remaining habitats for future generations.

With this newly recorded bloom, conservationists hope to strengthen awareness of Mindanao’s natural heritage and highlight the importance of protecting the fragile ecosystems that nurture some of the world’s rarest species. (ILKHA)