New Species of Orangutan-Colored Pitcher Plant Discovered in Mountains of Borneo [Video]

In the ultramafic mountains of central Sabah, Borneo, grow “giant pitcher” plants. They are characterized by their large, bell-shaped lower and upper pitchers and upright, narrow lids. The plant uses its pitchers to capture rainfall and insects.

A team of botanists from Sabah Forestry Department’s Forest Research Centre in Malaysia — along with two colleagues from Australia — has identified a new species of these distinctive plants that is the color of orangutans who live in the area, reported Phys.org.

“One of the largest species of Nepenthes described in recent years, N. pongoides is endemic to the relatively low-elevation ultramafic Meliau Range of central Sabah. Only 39 mature individuals have been observed across two subpopulations, therefore the species is here assessed as CR (Critically Endangered) under the IUCN Red List criteria owing to its extremely small population size, limited area of occurrence and very high threat of unsustainable poaching for the horticultural trade,” the research team wrote in their …