Exacum loheri (H. Hara) is a tiny, unusual plant found only in the Philippines. Unlike most plants, it does not rely on sunlight to grow. Instead, it survives by forming a special partnership with fungi, drawing nutrients from the underground network of life in the forest. This rare adaptation makes it one of the most intriguing plants in the country and shows how delicate and unique the Philippine ecosystems are.

For over 130 years, Exacum loheri was thought to have vanished from the wild. First documented in the 1890s by Swiss botanist August Loher, the plant had not been seen since, leaving scientists and nature enthusiasts believing it was lost to history.

Its recent rediscovery in Masungi Georeserve in Baras, Rizal, has sparked excitement among researchers. The plant was spotted during a snail survey in the “600 Steps” area of the conservation site, which is famous for its limestone formations and rich biodiversity. Researchers from the University of the Philippines Diliman and the Philippine Normal University documented the first verified sighting in over a century. Their findings, published in the Philippine Journal of Science, include photographs showing the plant thriving once again in its natural habitat.

Masungi Georeserve, which covers 2,700 hectares of protected forest within the Sierra Madre mountain range, is now the only known home of Exacum loheri. The reserve shelters over 400 species of plants and animals, many of them endemic. The rediscovery of this plant highlights the importance of conserving such areas, where countless other species may still be waiting to be found.

For scientists, conservationists, and nature lovers, the return of Exacum loheri is a reminder that the Philippines’ forests still hold hidden treasures. It underscores the need for continued protection and exploration to ensure that rare and endangered species can survive for generations to come.