On the Malaysian island of Borneo, scientists have discovered a new species of plant called pitcher plant. Its leaves are covered with hairs resembling orangutan fur. Only 39 specimens were found.
Nepenthes (Nepenthes) is a genus of carnivorous climbing plants belonging to the Nepenthes family (Nepenthaceae). Their special feature are jugs – traps that catch and digest insects and small animals. In the case of some pitcher plants, animal excrement and plant remains also enter the jugs. Most species of pitcher plants occur on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra, especially in the rainforests.
And it was on a forest-covered mountain in the state of Sabah in the north-eastern part of the island of Borneo that a new species was discovered Nepenthes pongoideswhich is not only one of the largest ever discovered, but is also exceptionally hairy.
Named after the orangutan
The underside of its leaves is covered with reddish “fur”, resembling the fur of the Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus). Therefore, the discoverers decided to name the plant after this local monkey.
The discoverers – Alastair Robinson from the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne, Australia, and his colleagues – found only 39 specimens of the plant during two expeditions, which suggests that this species is rare and may be at risk of extinction.
Nepenthes pongoidesSabah Biodiversity Centre
Wanted on the black market
Due to their spectacular pitchers, Nepenthes are highly sought after on the gardening black market. In the case of the newly described species, the jugs are up to 45 centimeters long and can hold over two liters of water. As Robinson pointed out, even before researchers arrived at the site, there was evidence that illegal plant hunters were in the area and stealing specimens because the pitcher plants were put up for sale on the Internet.
Main photo source: Sabah Biodiversity Centre