‘Lost’ Philippine rattan rediscovered after more than 110 years

According to PEF, the species was previously known only from a single collection made in 1912 on Mt. Urdaneta in Agusan del Norte. For more than 110 years, no additional records had been made, leaving scientists uncertain whether it still survived in the wild.

The remarkable find came from a plant photography expedition conducted from Nov. 26 to Dec. 4, 2024 by Dr. Julie F. Barcelona and Dr. Pieter B. Pelser of the University of Canterbury and PEF, together with PEF’s Guiller S. Opiso.

The fieldwork aimed to improve understanding of Philippine Eagle habitat while documenting the rich plant diversity of Davao de Oro.

The expedition produced 2,271 photographs documenting 236 plant species, according to PEF. Plant identifications were conducted during and after the expedition with assistance from the Co’s Digital Flora of the Philippines citizen science community.

Among the plants documented was Calamus vinosus, which was identified by palm expert Jiro Adorador of the University of the Philippines Los Baños.

“This is an amazing find. I never thought that this species would ever be encountered again in the wild,” Adorador said, as quoted by PEF.

The rare rattan is particularly distinctive for its striking wine-red fruits, which PEF said make it unlike any other Philippine rattan.

PEF said the rediscovery underscores the biological richness and conservation importance of the Mt. Candalaga Range. Its remaining forests are also home to threatened species including the Critically Endangered Philippine Eagle and Rafflesia mira.

The foundation said the discovery is another reminder of how much remains unknown about Mindanao’s forests—and why protecting them could mean saving species that scientists may not even know are still there.

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