SERDANG: A group of scientists from the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) discovered a new variety of pitcher plant in the Rompin state park in Pahang and the Setiu Wetlands in Terengganu about two months ago.
Mardi director-general Datuk Dr Mohamad Zabawi Abdul Ghani said the discovery of this new variety of Nepenthes rafflesiana, which has an ear-like shape pitcher with hues of yellowish green to reddish-green, is known as “zabawiana”.
It has not been registered or published in any journal, nor has the discovery been verified by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia botanist Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Mohamad, he told Bernama after the World Biodiversity Day celebration by Mardi here yesterday.
According to Mohamad Zabawi, the new variety of pitcher is able to thrive in lowland areas, is hardy and easily planted using stem cuttings, and has the potential to be commercialised as an ornamental plant.
“Mardi will conduct further research on the enzymes found at the bottom of the pitcher structure and the potential use of the pitcher enzymes for medical and agricultural purposes,” he added.
There are currently 14 species of pitcher plants in Malaysia. These pitcher plants, collectively referred to as nepenthes, are among the carnivorous plants in Malaysia.
In his speech at the event, he announced that Mardi won three gold medals and one silver medal at the 2023 Malaysia Technology Expo (MTE) Competition in March.
Mardi also won the Special Award from the Chinese Innovation and Invention Society, Taiwan, through the Ayam Saga Mardi, a kampung chicken breed improvement programme.
