Growing and thriving within the limestone forests of the site.
In the study published by the Philippine Journal of Science, it was confirmed that a plant species last recorded in the 1890s has been rediscovered in the Masungi Georeserve in Rizal Province.
The species, named Exacum loheri (H. Hara) Klack., was once considered lost to science and this marked the first verified record of the species in over 130 years, following its original collection by Swiss botanist August Loher in 1895.
The plant was rediscovered during a malacological (snail) reconnaissance study within Masungi’s “600 Steps” area in Baras and Tanay, Rizal.
“It was observed growing on humus-rich limestone soils near a freshwater channel in a secondary karst forest, underscoring the ecological complexity and conservation importance of Masungi’s limestone ecosystems,” the georeserve wrote in its social media post.
In the research authored by scientists from the University of the Philippines Diliman and the Philippine Normal University, “Notes on the Poorly Known Exacum loheri (H. Hara) Klack. (Gentianaceae) and a Key to the Philippine Species of Exacum,” the first-ever photographs of the living E. loheri were also shared.
Described as achlorophyllous or mycoheterotrophic, E. loheri lacks chlorophyll and relies entirely on a symbiotic relationship with fungi for its nutrients, which is said to be an exceptionally rare adaptation in plants.
According to researchers Jayson A. Mansibang, Lawrence Jacob C. Alterado, Aaron Gabriel B. Espinosa, and Erwin M. Blancaflor, it is only Masungi Georeserve where the only known living population of E. loheri has been located in the wild.
“Considering its restricted distribution, this species is presumed to be extremely rare and probably threatened at present,” the authors wrote.
Following this study, Billie Dumaliang, Director for Advocacy, Masungi Georeserve Foundation, said: “The rediscovery of this long-lost species shows why the Vena Group’s 603-MW wind project has no place in the Masungi Karst Conservation Area. Every year, science reveals more rare and endemic life thriving here — proof that this landscape is irreplaceable.”
They added that this research reinforces Masungi’s role as a “critical refuge for rare and endemic species within the Sierra Madre range,” which is increasingly threatened by quarrying, large-scale infrastructure, and other destructive activities.
“The Foundation continues to collaborate with scientists, communities, and environmental defenders to safeguard these irreplaceable habitats,” it wrote before thanking the institutions and their partnership that led to the rediscovery.