A rare, elusive Rafflesia hasseltii flower, unseen in the wild for over a decade, has been officially confirmed in West Sumatra, marking a triumphant end to a 13-year international scientific quest combining advanced genomics and vital community conservation efforts.
Indonesian and international research teams verified the discovery of the parasitic giant bloom within a community-managed conservation area. This finding is a significant success for “The First Regional Pan-Phylogeny for Rafflesia” project, an initiative mapping the genetic relationships of Rafflesia species across Southeast Asia using whole-genome analysis.
The discovery involved the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) of Indonesia, Bengkulu University, and a network of local conservation communities. Indonesian botanist Sepciana Andrigi, alongside Chris Thorogood, Deputy Director of Oxford University Botanic Garden, trekked for nearly a full day through dense rainforests in their search.
Andrigi knelt and wept with joy upon the finding, exclaiming it had been “a 13-year wait.”
Joko Rido Witono, a researcher from BRIN’s Research Center for Systematics and Evolutionary Biology, said recently that the effort aims to “understand the genetic relationships between Rafflesia species in Southeast Asia and ensure their conservation in their natural habitats.”
The discovery reinforces Indonesia’s standing as a global hotspot for Rafflesia diversity, rivaling the Philippines. Sixteen species of the giant parasitic flower are currently recorded in Indonesia, with the BRIN team successfully collecting 13 for DNA analysis.
The research involves BRIN managing sample collection and analysis within Indonesia, while partner countries like Malaysia and the Philippines conduct parallel studies in their territories. Witono assured that “no genetic material will leave Indonesia,” emphasizing that all research is conducted legally with proper permits.
Funding for the research comes from Oxford University Botanic Garden and Arboreta, along with BRIN’s RIIM Expedition program. The Rafflesia hasseltii was found during surveys in the Bengkulu and West Sumatra regions, specifically in the Sijunjung district of West Sumatra. The team successfully documented the flower blooming in an area managed by a local forest institution.
Witono highlighted the critical role of community-led conservation, noting that many Rafflesia species thrive outside formal protected areas, even in local coffee and oil palm plantations. He warned that “without proper education, the existence of Rafflesia could be threatened by human activities.”
The research employs Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) to map the Rafflesia genome, a method far more comprehensive than past DNA studies that examined only small gene fragments. This advanced technique could lead to the discovery of new species throughout the Indonesian archipelago.
However, researchers face substantial challenges, as Rafflesia are holoparasitic plants whose flowers bloom for only a few days. Many species are located in remote, hard-to-access regions, demanding accurate information and support from local communities.
Witono stressed the need for government and community backing to preserve Rafflesia habitats. The BRIN-coordinated team plans to draft policy proposals for a national Rafflesia conservation strategy following the conclusion of this research phase.