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Rhizanthes, the Forgotten Relative of Rafflesia in the Rafflesiaceae

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Abstract

Rhizanthes is a holoparasitic plant of the Rafflesiaceae, and, just like Rafflesia, its host is Tetrastigma (Vitaceae). Unlike Rafflesia, very little research has been conducted on Rhizanthes other than a few studies focusing on its taxonomy and anatomy, and limited studies on its propagation, despite some ethnomedicinal uses in several regions of Indonesia. Wild populations of Rhizanthes are declining due to deforestation and overharvesting by locals. Artificial pollination and possible seed spread, which are similar to Rafflesia, may be useful for future propagation-based studies, which are generally very difficult and challenging for members of the Rafflesiaceae. This paper emphasizes the cultural and ethnomedicinal importance of Rhizanthes and seeks to define a conservation road-map that incorporates a scientifically-based approach to research while also seeking a four-pronged approach to the conservation of Rhizanthes: 1) conventional and biotechnology-based conservation; 2) germplasm multiplication and preservation; 3) reintroduction into the wild and conservation of wild populations; 4) policy-based protective measures.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Arbi Wiguna (Universitas Negeri Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia; and Division of Zoology, Genbinesia Foundation, Indonesia), Inama Ahmad (SMK Kehutanan Negeri Kadipaten, West Java, Indonesia), Sofian Rafflesia and Neka Afnidarti (Komunitas Peduli Puspa Langka, Bengkulu, Indonesia) for providing the figures used in this paper. The authors also thank Dra. Inggit Puji Astuti, M.Si and Ngatari from Research Center for Conservation and Botanic Gardens, LIPI, Bogor, Indonesia for helping one of the authors (Sofi Mursidawati) to gain access to the Rh. lowii samples in West Borneo, Indonesia in 2009, allowing the author to obtain some photographs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Generasi Biologi Indonesia Foundation, Jl. Swadaya Barat no. 4, Gresik, 61171, Indonesia

    Adhityo Wicaksono, Ghea Putri Cristy & Reza Raihandhany

  2. School of Life Sciences and Technology (SITH), Institut Teknologi Bandung, Jl. Ganeca no. 10-12, Bandung, 40132, Indonesia

    Reza Raihandhany

  3. Research Center for Plant Conservation and Botanic Gardens – Indonesian Institute of Science (LIPI), Jl. Ir. H. Juanda no.13, Bogor, 16003, Indonesia

    Sofi Mursidawati

  4. Independent researcher, P.O. Box 7, Ikenobe 3011-2, Kagawa-ken, 761-0799, Japan

    Jaime A. Teixeira da Silva

  5. Department of Forestry, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Bengkulu, Jl. Raya Kandang Limun, Bengkulu, 38371, Indonesia

    Agus Susatya

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  1. Adhityo Wicaksono
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All authors contributed equally to all parts of the paper development.

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Correspondence to Adhityo Wicaksono, Sofi Mursidawati or Agus Susatya.

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Wicaksono, A., Cristy, G.P., Raihandhany, R. et al. Rhizanthes, the Forgotten Relative of Rafflesia in the Rafflesiaceae. Bot. Rev. 88, 130–143 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12229-021-09261-3

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