Nepenthes megastoma (Nepenthaceae), a micro-endemic pitcher plant from Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Palawan, Philippines

Researchers have discovered and described Nepenthes megastoma, a new species of carnivorous pitcher plant endemic to Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Palawan, Philippines. This micro-endemic species is critically endangered, known only from three locations within the Mount Saint Paul karst formation, where it thrives on vertical limestone walls. N. megastoma is distinguished by its highly branched stems, bell-shaped pitchers, and unique floral morphology, including dimorphic upper pitchers and unidirectionally upturned female flowers. Phylogenetic analysis suggests a close affinity with the widespread Palawan endemic N. philippinensis, despite morphological convergence with Borneo's N. campanulata. The discovery underscores the park's biodiversity significance while highlighting urgent conservation concerns due to its restricted range and small population size.

ALTOMONTE, J. C. A., COLLANTES, J. P. R., MANGUSSAD, V., BUSTAMANTE, R. A. A., & ROBINSON, A. S. (2025). Nepenthes megastoma (Nepenthaceae), a micro-endemic pitcher plant from Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Palawan, Philippines. Phytotaxa, 728(2), 93–107. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.728.2.1