Assessing the status of Rafflesia’s Bud (Rafflesia kerri) in Lojing Highlands, Kelantan

Rafflesia flower is one of the unique and endangered species in the world. It is belonged to the family of Rafflesiaceae. The distribution of Rafflesia kerri species can be found in Peninsular Malaysia especially in Kelantan State and Thailand. In Kelantan, Lojing Highlands is the hot spot area to trail R. kerri species by tourist and researcher. In Lojing Highlands, this species is being threatened due to the agriculture activity. The objectives of this study were to identify the Rafflesia‟s bud status, to examine the bud stages of R. kerri and to determine the population density of R. kerri bud. A study on 3 ha plot had conducted in Lojing Highlands to assess the status of Rafflesia‟s bud The data of the bud was obtained by plot setting up and surveying in the 3 ha plot. There were 34 Rafflesia’s buds found in the study site. The status of the buds found is six of it was dead and 28 buds were alive. Many of the Rafflesia‟s bud found in the study site were in stage II (bract stage) with 18 buds in total. The population density of the buds in the 3 ha plot is 9 buds/ha. It shows a high population of bud density because it is nearly to have 10 buds/ha in the study site.