Newly discovered Borneo plant resembles orangutan fur

The Australian Journal of Botany documented 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, with leaves covered in 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 encountered this extraordinary specimen during an expedition in the mountainous region of Sabah, in the northeastern part of Borneo.

Nepenthes pongoides is distinct for the underside of its leaves, covered in rusty hairs, making it resemble the fur of the Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus). This similarity inspired scientists to name the plant in honour of the local monkey.

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, with some species also utilising animal droppings and plant debris as a source of nutrients.

The newly discovered species has impressive pitchers, reaching up to 45 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.

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