‘Critically Endangered’ plant named after Orangutan renamed as Nepenthes pongoides

The new giant pitcher plant species (left) and a feature on this new species (right).

KOTA KINABALU: A type of giant hairy pitcher plant which was first photographed in 2004, has officially been named after it was recognised as a new species and classified as Critically Endangered.

Named after the Orangutan whose scientific term is Pongo, this plant - Nepenthes pongoides, found in the ultramafic mountains in central Sabah, has a striking resemblance to the great ape’s long, dark, rusty-red hair.