A terrifying predatory plant has been found in the mountains of Borneo (PHOTO)

A team of botanists from the Forestry Research Centre Malaysia (Sabah), together with Australian colleagues, has discovered a new species of giant pitcher plant in central Borneo.

These plants, known for their large 'jugs' and upper lids, typically trap insects and store rainwater.

Details: Alviana Damit et al, Sabah's hidden giant: Nepenthes pongoides (Nepenthaceae), a micro-endemic tropical pitcher plant from northern Borneo, Australian Journal of Botany (2024). DOI: 10.1071/BT24050

Researchers became interested in this plant back in 2004, when the first photographs of the unusual pitcher plant appeared in the Sabah mountain region, which is composed of ultramafic (iron- and magnesium-rich) rocks. However, no one dared to study it in detail until 2018, when fresh images appeared. Scientists planned an expedition, but actually reached the place only in 2023 - because of the pandemic and the inaccessibility of the region. They noted that the area has virtually no water sources other than rainwater, so it makes sense that it's especially important for plants here to collect precipitation.

On the third day of their search, the team came across a reddish pitcher plant covered in long red hairs - a colour almost like that of the orangutans that live in the same area. The new species was named Nepenthes pongoides (drawing a parallel with the scientific name of orangutans - Pongo). The shape and size surprised scientists: the "jug" grows up to 45 centimetres in length and can hold more than two litres of water - a record for such plants.

To make sure of the uniqueness of the find, scientists made another expedition and found a total of 39 specimens. This allowed to collect more data for research and at the same time demonstrated the vulnerability of the species: hunters for rare plants have already learnt about the discovery and began to dig up jugs for sale.

The authors stress that the new lily belongs to the genus Nepenthes, which includes more than 160 species, but Nepenthes pongoides stands out especially for its giant size and specific "orangutan" colouring. Scientists are calling for immediate measures to protect this "super-predator" of the plant world to prevent the extinction of such a rare and remarkable member of Borneo's flora.