In April 2024, the description of a new species of pitcher plant from the Philippines (based on a specimen collected in August 2021) was published in Phytotaxa.
𝙉𝙚𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙨 𝙠𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙡𝙞
Distribution/habitat: Mt. Kampalili (Mindanao, Philippines)
About the species: Named after the place where it was discovered, 𝘕. 𝘬𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘭𝘪 grows solely on limestone rock formations in the bonsai forest areas of Mt. Kampalili in Davao de Oro. As this endemic carnivorous plant thrives in limestone crevices and mossy surfaces, some 𝘕. 𝘬𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘭𝘪 specimens have pitchers covered with thick moss. With 𝘕. 𝘬𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘭𝘪’s description, the number of confirmed 𝘕𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴 species in Mindanao has increased to 35.
Conservation status: Critically Endangered; it faces threats of poaching and habitat loss, requiring urgent legislative protection and conservation efforts.—MF
Reference: Lagunday, Noel & Yurong, Aimanuelzon & Amoroso, Victor. (2024). 𝘕𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴 𝘬𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘭𝘪 (Nepenthaceae), a new species of pitcher plant from the eastern Mindanao biodiversity corridor, Philippines. Phytotaxa. 644. 163-170. 10.11646/phytotaxa.644.2.8.
Author: Mikael Angelo Francisco
Bitten by the science writing bug, Mikael has years of writing and editorial experience under his belt. As the editor-in-chief of FlipScience, Mikael has sworn to help make science more fun and interesting for geeky readers and casual audiences alike.
