An extremely rare parasitic flower was discovered in full bloom deep within a Philippine forest.

The specimen, identified as Rafflesia schadenbergiana , was seen by field officers during a fieldwork within the Allah Valley Protected Landscape in South Cotabato on November 25.

Footage shows members of the Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) carefully measuring the mammoth, fleshy, deep-red, five-petaled flower, which spanned 3ft (93 cm). This makes it the largest specimen ever recorded in the protected area.

The rare flora was discovered within the site's Strict Protection Zone, emphasizing the critical conservation work underway.

This Mindanao-endemic species has historically only been found in limited areas, including Davao, Bukidnon, and South Cotabato, making this sighting a crucial event for biodiversity experts.

The Rafflesia schadenbergiana was first discovered in 1882 by German naturalist Dr. Alexander Schadenberg near Mount Apo on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao.

It was later formally described and named in 1886 by the German botanist Heinrich Gustav Adolf Engler.

The Rafflesia schadenbergiana, often nicknamed a 'corpse flower' because of its faint, decaying scent, attracts pollinators. It lacks leaves, stems, and true roots, living entirely as a parasite within the vines of the Tetrastigma genus.

This species is classified as critically endangered (CR). It is recognized as the largest species of Rafflesia in the Philippines and the second-largest in the entire world.