P. falciparum has additional unique characteristics that help to explain its distinct potential to cause severe or fatal disease.
As falciparum parasites mature within red blood cells, they induce the formation of sticky knobs on the surface of erythrocytes.
These knobs bind to receptors on endothelial cells in capillaries and venules causing sequestration of red cells within these small vessels, which results in obstruction to blood flow( Cerebral malaria)