Talk on fascinating pitcher plants found in Borneo

KUCHING: Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC) will kick off its public awareness campaign for 2016 with a tea-time talk on “Nepenthes of Borneo: Fascinating Pitchers and Discoveries” on Jan 16.

The talk will focus on fascinating pitcher plants or Nepenthes found in Borneo, newly discovered species, as well as the interesting stories behind the ability of these amazing plants to adapt to their environment.

“These unusual shaped plants, long been thought to be carnivorous, have a huge following of fans – both avid collectors and researchers.

Recent studies have also shown that some pitcher plants have adapted to other means of acquiring food, including through synergistic relationships with mammals,” it was said in a press release.

The speaker, Ch’ien Lee is no stranger to Sarawak and has made numerous contributions to publications on Nepenthes, having traveled widely in the region to document the species.

“In 2007, he organised and chaired the Sarawak Nepenthes Summit, the first conference of its kind in Borneo, which served as a venue for both the dissemination of current research and as a means of promoting public awareness on pitcher plants and their conservation.”

The talk is aimed at creating awareness on the diversity of pitcher plants in Borneo and its conservation.

It is open to the public, free of charge, at 3.30pm at the Telang Usan Hotel.

For more information, call 082-610 610.