In a remarkable event, a Rafflesia flower, a rare and captivating species, has bloomed on a plantation in Matur, Agam district, West Sumatra. This flower, measuring a staggering 82.2 centimeters in diameter, has sparked local interest. The West Sumatra Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA) is currently conducting an assessment to determine whether it is a Rafflesia arnoldii or Rafflesia tuan-mudae, a discovery that would be of significant importance.
Rusdiyan P. Ritonga, who leads the Conservation Resort Region II Maninjau at the West Sumatra BKSDA, explained that precise identification is challenging due to the poor visibility conditions present when the flower was initially spotted late in the afternoon. If this flower is confirmed to be Rafflesia tuan-mudae, it would represent a significant discovery. It is only the second instance of this species identified in Agam District since a 107-centimeter specimen was discovered in the Maninjau Nature Reserve in 2017.
The Rafflesia is a rare and protected species under Law Number 5 of 1990, which governs the Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and Ecosystems. Known populations of this plant have been documented in 17 distinct locations across various sub-districts in Agam, including Palembayan, Tanjungraya, Palupuh, Baso, Kamangmagek, Tilatangkamang, Malalak, and Matur.
The recent blooming event was reported to the BKSDA by local residents on May 30. Ritonga noted that this particular bloom is one of six currently being monitored in the area, with the specific location requiring a trek of approximately thirty minutes to reach. He also recalled the days when this area was a popular destination for international tourists, drawn by the allure of witnessing the rare Rafflesia flower, which was first spotted here around 1990. These flowers, famed for their size and rarity, continue to be a source of fascination and pride for the local community and researchers alike.
