Carnivorous plant discovered in Palawan, but already on brink of extinctionComposite image shows N. megastoma, a newly described critically endangered species endemic to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park in Palawan, Philippines. MANILA, Philippines — Philippine scientists have confirmed the discovery of a previously unknown species of carnivorous tropical pitcher plant found only on the limestone cliffs of Palawan, a rare scientific milestone that has come with an urgent warning: the species is already critically endangered. The plant, Nepenthes megastoma, was formally described in November in the international journal Phytotaxa following years of fieldwork by researchers from Ateneo de Manila University and an Australian botanical expert. The study classifies N. megastoma as Critically Endangered under International Union for Conservation of Nature guidelines. Alongside Altomonte, scientists studying N. megastoma are Vernaluz Mangussad, Rene Alfred Anton Bustamante, and Alastair S. Robinson.

Source: Philippine Star December 28, 2025 08:43 UTC