[3] Rafflesia banaoana is considered to be a synonym by some sources,[2] but is recognized as a separate species by others.

[4] R. leonardi is the fourth Rafflesia species found in Luzon and the eighth from the Philippines.

The species was discovered in May 2008 by Cagayan Valley Partners in People Development (Cavapped), a multi-sectoral group of environmental scientists at remote sitio Kinapawan in the coastal town of Lal-Lo, Cagayan.

Rafflesia leonardi was named by Julie Barcelona and colleagues after the murdered Filipino botanist Dr. Leonardo Co of Conservation International.

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