Rare plant found in Bicol Natural Park
LEGAZPI CITY—A rare plant species has been documented in Bicol Natural Park in Camarines Norte province, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Bicol said.
The species, identified as Amorphophallus caudatus, is endemic to the Philippines and classified as “critically endangered” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with a highly restricted and fragmented distribution in Luzon.
Nestor Franz Fortuno, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer in Camarines Norte, said the species was recorded during a Biodiversity Monitoring System activity conducted from March 24 to March 26 in Barangay Tuaca, Basud town, in coordination with local government units and state universities.
He said field observations showed that the species is in both flowering and vegetative stages, indicating an actively regenerating population within the park. Nonflowering plants were tagged for long-term monitoring by the Protected Area Management Office (Pamo) to track population trends and habitat conditions.
Ralph Portades, protected area superintendent, told the Inquirer in a phone interview that the species is known for its distinct inflorescence, which emits a strong, unpleasant odor similar to that of a decaying corpse. This carrion-like scent attracts pollinators, such as flies and beetles and becomes more pronounced during its flowering stage.
“The flower can grow up to about 2 feet tall and may last for up to two weeks before withering,” Portades said.
Habitat integrity
He noted that the species’ presence not only supports local biodiversity, particularly pollination cycles, but also serves as an indicator of habitat integrity.
“The occurrence of this critically endangered and narrowly distributed endemic species shows that forest vegetation in the area remains intact,” Portades said.
He added that the species is highly sensitive to human-induced disturbances, and its presence highlights the urgent need for sustained habitat protection, strict conservation management, and continuous biodiversity monitoring.
Portades also emphasized the species’ genetic importance, noting that of the 17 Amorphophallus species recorded in the Philippines, 16 are endemic, making the group a vital component of the country’s unique floral heritage.
Citing IUCN data, he said fewer than 250 mature individuals have been observed in the wild, reinforcing its critically endangered status.
He added that the continued discovery of such species underscores the importance of protected areas in safeguarding biodiversity amid ongoing threats to natural habitats.
Bicol Natural Park spans 5,466 hectares across Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur, covering the towns of Basud, San Lorenzo Ruiz, Lupi, and Sipocot. It forms part of the headwaters of the Bicol River Basin and provides water for domestic and agricultural use in nearby communities.
The park hosts at least 190 terrestrial wildlife species, including 18 mammals (six endemic), 120 bird species, 22 amphibians (16 endemic), and 30 reptiles (15 endemic). Of these, 94 species are endemic, representing more than 30 percent of Luzon’s faunal diversity. Around 48 species are classified as threatened or under critical conservation status.
Despite its ecological value, the park faces threats. such as forest encroachment, illegal logging, slash-and-burn farming, and land conversion, Portades said. These pressures are compounded by limited manpower, funding constraints, and challenges in stakeholder coordination and scientific research.
To address these concerns, DENR Bicol, through the Protected Area Management Board and Pamo, in partnership with local government units, government agencies, people’s organizations, nongovernment organizations, and private stakeholders, continues to implement conservation initiatives under the Protected Area Management Plan.
