'Jurassic' plant blooms in Masungi Georeserve

A "Jurassic" plant discovered at the Masungi Georeserve in Rizal 2020 is once again blooming.

According to Jamie Santos's report on "24 Oras Weekend," Sunday, the plant is called pitogo and has a unique flower and pointed leaves.

Its scientific name is Cycas riuminiana and it can only be found in Luzon. It is called "Jurassic" because it first grew when the dinosaurs still inhabited the Earth.

"Ang estimate namin is 75 years old na 'yung pitogo and dun sa range ng plants na tinatawag na Cycad, 'yung genus na 'yun, normal 'yun na hundred years old, hundreds, hundreds or even thousand years old. Talagang long living plants ang mga ito," said Billie Dumaliang of Masungi Georeserve.

The pitogo grows slowly in tropical rainforests. Instead of fruits, it bears a cone.

The plant is an endangered species, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

To preserve it, Billie said its surrounding ecosystem must be protected.

"Sabi nga ng National Museum of the Philippines, mga scientipiko natin doon, ay para ma-preserve natin ang Masungi na limestone ecosystem kailangan i-preserve 'yung karatig 'yung mga bundok na katabi niya at 'yung watersheds na katabi niya," Billie said.

"Kasi magkakadikit at magkaka-link ang mga ito. 'Pag may nasira na isang parte,  makakaapekto ito." —MGP, GMA Integrated News