PETALING JAYA: There is a true blue scientific wonder mushrooming in the green hills of Sabah.
A new indigo-blue mushroom species has been discovered by Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) in Kinabalu Park.
The find marks the first recorded discovery of its genus in Malaysia, establishing a national scientific history.
The rare mushroom, named Calocybe kinabaluensis sp. nov., is distinguished by its striking deep indigo-blue cap measuring between 34 and 120 millimetres in diameter.
It features a similarly coloured stalk, while the lamellae (gills) beneath the cap are creamy white.
In a statement, UMS said the newly discovered species functions as a natural decomposer to enrich soil fertility.
The species was discovered during field surveys along three major trails in Kinabalu Park, namely Bundu Tuhan, Liwagu and Silau-Silau.
"The mushroom samples were first collected by Sabah Parks staff members Martinah Latim and Jamil Kasmin in February 2025," the statement read.
"Subsequent findings were recorded in November of the same year through the Young Rangers Programme involving secondary school students from the Ranau district at Kinabalu Park," it added.
The programme, a strategic collaboration between Sabah Parks and UMS since 2016, aims to provide exposure and educate the younger generation about Sabah’s remarkable fungal biodiversity.
UMS said the research was led by UMS mycologist Associate Professor Dr Jaya Seelan Sathiya Seelan.
The work was done in collaboration with researchers from Sabah Parks, UMS postgraduate students and international experts from the University of Turin, Italy.
"To confirm its status as a new species and distinguish it from its closest relative, Calocybe cyanella, the research team integrated DNA analysis methods," UMS explained.
The team combined molecular phylogenetics with detailed microscopic observations.
Meanwhile, UMS Vice-Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Kasim Mansor said the discovery proves that Sabah’s forests still hold biological treasures yet to be fully explored.
“This success also reflects UMS’ role as the ‘Brain of Borneo’ in spearheading biodiversity research at the global level,” he said.
The holotype specimen of the mushroom has been officially deposited and preserved in the BORNEENSIS Herbarium Collection (BORH) at the Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ITBC).
