A prehistoric cycad species is making a last stand in the forests of Baras, Rizal. Cycas riuminiana, an endangered cycad species is only found in Luzon, is surviving in Masungi Georeserve.
What is Masungi Georeserve
Masungi Georeserve is an internationally awarded conservation project that is just a day trip away from Manila. It is the last protective shield of Metro Manila from flash floods, typhoons, and climate change.
Cycas riuminiana bloomed after three years
“After about three years, the cone of the Cycas riuminiana on the Discovery Trail has once again emerged from its trunk. Referred to as a “Living Fossil or “Jurassic Plant”, this unique flora species comes from a prehistoric lineage of plants that appeared 350 million years ago—outlasting dinosaurs,” wrote Masungi Georeserve on its Facebook page. By comparison, the famous Tyrannosaurus rex or T.rex, only lived 90 to 66 million years ago.
Endemic to the Philippines, the or Cycas riuminiana Pitogo is a slow-growing plant that thrives in tropical rainforests. It does not produce flowers or fruits but rather cones. According to experts, its age can be estimated by counting the number of layers on its trunk and multiplying it to the number of years when the cone last bloomed. Based on this information, the Pitogo found on the Discovery Trail is estimated to be at least 75 years old.
“Unfortunately, it is currently listed as Endangered in the IUCN Red List, with its dwindling population in the wild. Poaching and habitat destruction are the leading causes of the Pitogo’s population decline,” Masungi wrote.
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