New 'hairy pitcher plant' discovery on Borneo faces extinction risk

The Australian Journal of Botany described the discovery of Nepenthes pongoides, also known as the hairy pitcher plant.

Scientists have discovered a new species of pitcher plant on the Malaysian island of Borneo, whose leaves are covered with hairs resembling orangutan fur. This plant, named Nepenthes pongoides, belongs to the largest known pitcher plants and may be at risk of extinction.

A research team led by Alastair Robinson from the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne came across this extraordinary specimen during an expedition in the mountainous region of the state of Sabah, in the northeastern part of Borneo.

Nepenthes pongoides is distinguished by the underside of its leaves covered with rusty hairs, which makes it resemble the fur of the Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus). This similarity inspired scientists to name the plant in honour of the local primate.

Pitcher plants are a type of carnivorous climbing plant known for their characteristic pitcher-shaped traps. These are used to capture and digest insects and small animals, and some species also utilize animal droppings and plant debris as a source of nutrients.

The newly discovered species has impressive pitchers, reaching up to 46 centimetres long and capable of holding over 2 litres of water. This makes it one of the largest pitcher plants known to science. Unfortunately, during two research expeditions, only 39 specimens of this plant were found, suggesting its rarity and potential threat of extinction.

As noted by Alastair Robinson, there was already evidence of the activities of illegal plant collectors in the region even before scientists arrived, as pitcher plants were being offered for sale online. Because of their striking appearance, they are often sought after on the black market for gardening, further threatening their survival.