Rare Rafflesia flower found in Apayao forests

TUGUEGARAO CITY, CAGAYAN, Philippines — Environmentalists recently discovered the rare endemic parasitic plant Rafflesia lagascae in Barangay Eva, Calanasan town, Apayao, during a slash-and-burn validation and biodiversity survey, according to the Calanasan Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (Menro). “A cluster of Rafflesia lagascae was confirmed in Barangay Eva, after Green Guards reported its presence