Exacum loheri
| Exacum loheri | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Gentianaceae |
| Genus: | Exacum |
| Species: | E. loheri
|
| Binomial name | |
| Exacum loheri (H.Hara) Klack.
| |
Exacum loheri is a species of plant in the family Gentianaceae which is endemic in Rizal, Philippines.
Description
Exacum loheri is achlorophyllous, meaning it lacks chlorophyll. It is also mycoheterotrophic, drawing nutrients through its symbiotic relationship with underground fungi instead as a means to survive Masungi's limestone-rich soil.[1]
Habitat
It is recorded to grow within the Masungi Georeserve in Rizal, Philippines in 2025. Prior to this, the last record of the Exacum loheri was noted in 1895 by Swiss botanist August Loher.[2][3] The 2025 rediscovery was made by students of the University of the Philippines Diliman and the Philippine Normal University.[1]
References
- ^ a b Adel, Rosette (October 22, 2025). "Rediscovered after a century: Rare plant species found during snail study in Masungi". Interaksyon. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
- ^ Weng, Mei Lin (October 22, 2025). "Rare plant species rediscovered in Masungi Georeserve after 130 years". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
- ^ Almazan, Faye (October 22, 2025). "Plant species rediscovered after 130 years in Masungi Georeserve". GMA News. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
Further readings
- Mansibang, Jayson; Alterado, Lawrence Jacob; Espinosa, Aaron Gabriel; Blancaflor, Erwin (October 2025). "Notes on the Poorly Known Exacum loheri (H. Hara) Klack. (Gentianaceae) and a Key to the Philippine Species of Exacum" (PDF). Philippine Journal of Science. 154 (5): 1227–1230. ISSN 0031-7683.