Is this a new species… of Pokemon? There are 15 species of Rafflesia flowers in the Philippines. The Bulbasaur is a “species” of Pokemon, one of over 1,000 species in the popular Japanese media franchise.
At Philippine Wildlife Art, there is a Bulbasaur for every Philippine Rafflesia species: Rafflesaurs!
So far, 5 of the 15 species found only in the Philippines have been illustrated. Learn more about them below!
- Rafflesaur consueloae
- Rafflesia leonardi
- Rafflesia baletei
- Rafflesia lobata
- Rafflesia aurantia
Rafflesaur consueloae Bulbasaur
This species is Rafflesaur consueloae, which is a result of a Bulbasaur born on Mt. Balukbok in Nueva Ecija: the only place in the world where Rafflesia consueloae flowers have been found (Galindon et al., 2016).
Scientists have long known that tetrastigma vines in the forest are the only hosts of Rafflesia flowers. Rafflesia like R. consueloae grow inside these vines and eventually reveal their blooming flowers. They are “parasitic” or dependent on tetrastigma vines for survival, but they also depend on pollinators like flies to reproduce.
It was recently discovered that Bulbasaurs are a “host Pokemon” for Rafflesia flowers (Philippine Wildlife Art 2023). Not much is known about their symbiotic relationship, because not many scientists are Pokemon experts yet.
Though the Pokemon Vileplume is known to be a rafflesia-inspired species, the Rafflesaur is the only species known to exist in the forests of the Philippines. We must protect our forests, so that we can gather more information about our elusive Philippine Rafflesaurs!
Rafflesia leonardi Bulbasaur
This Rafflesaur is a special one, as it is dedicated to the late Dr. Leonard Co, whom it is named after.
Dr. Co knew so much about plants that a digital library was made in his honor. Today, philippineplants.org features photos from almost half of all Philippine plant species. And there are an estimated 10,000 species native to the country!
On November 15, 2010, he was killed in a supposed crossfire in the forests he lived and worked to protect.
Rafflesaur leonardi is a beautiful Rafflesaur, known for its intelligence, observant behavior, and tendency to pass on knowledge to other Rafflesaurs! It was discovered by Agta community member Sumper Aresta.
Learn more about Dr. Leonard Co at bit.ly/leonardco
Rafflesia baletei Bulbasaur
Say hello to Rafflesaur baletei! Named after the late mammalogist Danilo Balete, R. baletei likes frolicking on rocky slopes!
It is a small Rafflesaur, similar in size to R. manillana (which you will meet soon), but it prefers to bloom from the roots of Tetrastigma vines. R. manillana is not as shy, blooming higher above the ground for all to see (Barcelona et al 2006).
Rafflesia lobata Bulbasaur
Say hello to Rafflesaur lobata! It is named after the unique-looking rafflesia flower on its back: Rafflesia lobata.
Unlike most Rafflesia flowers, R. lobata has a diaphragm at its center that is lobed, or open with flaps. This rafflesaur likes to think it gives it wings, like its pollinator the fly!
Rafflesia aurantia Bulbasaur
Say hello to Rafflesaur aurantia! It is named after its vibrant orange color, from a latin word for gold, aurum.
Indeed it is like gold, because it was found in fast disappearing lowland dipterocarp forests in northeastern Luzon – in the Sierra Madre. And it is threatened because of another precious item in these mountains: actual gold!
Researchers shared in a 2009 study about R. aurantia that commercial open-pit mining “…Poses the gravest threat for this Rafflesia habitat.”
Read more
- JF Barcelona et al., 2009. Rafflesia aurantia (Rafflesiaceae): A New Species from Northern Luzon, Philippines. https://parasiticplants.siu.edu/RaffPhil/RaffPhilLit/Barcelone2009RaffAur.pdf
- https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/905781/oceanagold-remits-p421-million-in-taxes-to-nueva-vizcaya-quirino-towns/story
Stay tuned for more Rafflesaurs to be added here!
