In the ultramafic mountains of central Sabah, Borneo, grow “giant pitcher” plants. They are characterized by their large, bell-shaped lower and upper pitchers and upright, narrow lids. The plant uses its pitchers to capture rainfall and insects.
A team of botanists from Sabah Forestry Department’s Forest Research Centre in Malaysia — along with two colleagues from Australia — has identified a new species of these distinctive plants that is the color of orangutans who live in the area, reported Phys.org.
“One of the largest species of Nepenthes described in recent years, N. pongoides is endemic to the relatively low-elevation ultramafic Meliau Range of central Sabah. Only 39 mature individuals have been observed across two subpopulations, therefore the species is here assessed as CR (Critically Endangered) under the IUCN Red List criteria owing to its extremely small population size, limited area of occurrence and very high threat of unsustainable poaching for the horticultural trade,” the research team wrote in their paper on the discovery.
In “Sabah’s hidden giant: Nepenthes pongoides (Nepenthaceae), a micro-endemic tropical pitcher plant from northern Borneo,” the team describes how they became familiar with the plant and what their expedition to the site revealed.
The researchers examined reports of an unknown Sabah mountains pitcher plant that was photographed in 2004, but had never been investigated, Phys.org reported. News of scientists having taken additional photographs in 2018 prompted members of the team to travel to the site to take a look.
On the third day after they arrived in the region, the research team found what they were searching for: a mound of igneous bounders. The area seemed suitable for a rainwater capturing plant, since there was no running water in the vicinity.
“An expedition was made to the type locality to make field observations of the taxon, record habitat, population and ecological data such as infauna, prey spectra and numbers of individuals, and to collect representative vouchers, minimising negative impacts on the small population by taking material in the form of terminal cuttings to allow for the in situ regeneration of sampled individuals from axillary nodes,” the researchers wrote in their paper.
Pitchers and habit of Nepenthes pongoides. (a) Rosette pitcher of immature plant showing highly developed peristome column. (b) Pendent pitcher of a scrambling plant. Note ventral attachment of tendril and scattered large nectar glands of same. (c) Large terrestrial pitcher. (d) Mature rosette emergent from humus-filled fissure between ultramafic boulders; a cutting from this rosette was sampled as voucher 161456. (e) An individual demonstrating occasionally observed scrambling habit. Photographs (a), (e) by A. Damit; (b), (c), (d) by A.S. Robinson. Australian Journal of Botany (2024). DOI: 10.1071 / BT24050
The team noted that the leaves of the plant were unique and that there was long red hair covering the pitcher that was almost the same color as that of the orangutans who live in the area, leading them to name the novel species Nepenthes pongoides, or “resembling orangutan.”
After subsequent research, the team discovered that the plant was the largest pitcher that had ever been identified.
“Nepenthes pongoides is described and illustrated as new to science. The species is characterised by its large size, peltate tendril exsertion, absence of upper pitchers and extremely well-developed, persistent indumentum of long, coarse, dark reddish trichomes, the extent of which is unsurpassed in any other known Bornean Nepenthes species,” the researchers wrote.
The team made two expeditions to the same region, during which they learned not only of the plant’s uniqueness, but also of its vulnerability, noting that poachers had already heard about the findings and had been harvesting the giant pitchers.
In addition to poaching, the rare plants are also susceptible to natural threats.
“As is the case for many microendemic species, the taxon is extremely vulnerable to stochastic events such as fire which, on sufficient scale, could represent extinction level events,” the researchers warned.
A member of the Nepenthes genus — which consists of over 160 species — the newest species of pitcher plant can grow as large as 45 centimeters and hold more than two liters of water.
“The documentation of such remarkable new species in comparatively well-explored rainforest regions such as those of northern Borneo highlights the importance of targeted exploration in remaining wilderness areas to uncover hidden biodiversity. Doing so closes gaps in scientific knowledge, and specifically increases the critical taxonomic and ecological knowledge necessary to support the development and implementation of conservation measures required to reduce the risk of species extinction and concomitant loss of biodiversity,” the researchers wrote in the paper.
The post New Species of Orangutan-Colored Pitcher Plant Discovered in Mountains of Borneo appeared first on EcoWatch.
https://www.ecowatch.com/pitcher-plant-species-discovery-borneo.html
Thoreau wrote in Walden that “Time is but the stream I go a-fishing in,” which reminds us that life is short and nature fills it beautifully. What are you looking for that can’t be found during an afternoon in nature?
Earth911 inspirations. Post them, share your desire to help people think of the planet first, every day. Click the poster to get a larger image.
The post Earth911 Inspiration: Time Is but the Stream appeared first on Earth911.
https://earth911.com/inspire/earth911-inspiration-time-is-but-the-stream/
Green Living
Classic Sustainability In Your Ear: The Ocean River Institute’s Natural Lawn Challenge for Climate Action
Turn back the clock with this classic interview that will get you ready for Spring yard care planning. A lawn may be beautiful but it can take a heavy toll on the environment, accounting for between 30% and 60% of residential water use in the United States. Rob Moir, Ph.D., is president and executive director of the Ocean River Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts. ORI works with residential lawn owners to heal damaged ecosystems by restoring coastal areas to lessen the destructive impacts of climate change. The benefits of a natural lawn reach far beyond reduced local water pollution, eliminating chemicals that can contribute to cancers, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and other cellular diseases. Natural lawns are also better for local pollinators and store much more carbon than heavily fertilized lawns. If you considered removing your lawn to play a part in the battle against climate change, this interview may change your mind — a healthy lawn is a powerful carbon sink.
The Ocean River Institute is recruiting Massachusetts communities, town by town, to take a pledge to follow natural lawn practices in the Healthy Soils for Climate Restoration Challenge. You don’t need to live in Massachusetts to participate and learn about the alternatives to the traditional, chemical-intensive lawn practices that use Roundup, a source of glyphosates that kills soil-dwelling fungi and local pollinators, and fast-acting nitrogen fertilizers. You can learn more about the Ocean River Institute at www.oceanriver.org.
Rob has contributed many articles about climate change and the history of environmental change since this interview, including:
- Finding a Northwest Passage to the Sea
- Turning the Tide—How Land and Water Shape Our Climate Future
- Learning from Captain Scoresby’s Ten-gallon Fir-Cask
- Earth Savvy?
- Let the Ground Keep Falling Rainwater
- The Sultans of Swag Versus Looking at Clouds from Both Sides Now
- Subscribe to Sustainability in Your Ear on iTunes and Apple Podcasts.
- Follow Sustainability in Your Ear on Spreaker, iHeartRadio, or YouTube
Editor’s Note: This episode originally aired on May 30, 2022.
The post Classic Sustainability In Your Ear: The Ocean River Institute’s Natural Lawn Challenge for Climate Action appeared first on Earth911.
https://earth911.com/podcast/earth911-podcast-the-ocean-river-institutes-natural-lawn-challenge-for-climate-action/
Choosing your perfect gown can be one of the most exciting decisions for your special day, but for the eco fashionista, it can be a challenge to find a dress that fits your values and style — but these brands have exceptional sustainable wedding dresses you’ll swoon over!
Using earth-minded materials like hemp, cruelty-free peace silk, deadstock recycled fabrics and vintage lace, and producing consciously, either in small batches or handcrafting each individual piece made-to-order, the brands below meet high standards for transparency, ecological sustainability, and fair labor.
[For more sustainable wedding dresses, check out this guide to secondhand wedding dress sites!]
Note that the guide contains affiliate links. As always, we only feature brands that meet strict criteria for sustainability we love, that we think you’ll love too!
1. Christy Dawn
Dreamy dress brand Christy Dawn does not disappoint with their romantic bridal collection! Each piece is more swoon-worthy than the next.
Their three sustainable bridal gowns are made from regenerative silk charmeuse —sourced through BOMBYX, an innovative silk producer using best practices — and colored in a beautiful pearl silk with non-toxic dyes. Each dress is ethically cut and sewn by makers in Los Angeles earning living wages, as with the rest of Christy Dawn’s collections.
The Britta Dress and Fitzgerald Dress are 1920s inspired while the Athena Dress is a more modern (but equally romantic) option. All of these dresses are made-to-order with an estimated timeline of 4 weeks.
Conscious Qualities: Regenerative silk and organic non-toxic dyes, ethically made-to-order in Los Angeles
Price Range: $2,500 – $3,000
Size Range: XS – XL
2. Pure Magnolia
Blending the traditional with the modern, Pure Magnolia designs classic-inspired sustainable wedding dresses with contemporary touches. And each dress is made in their Canadian studio by seamstresses earning fair wages from eco-fabrics, such as organic cotton and hemp silk.
The brand sources recycled fabrics whenever possible as well, and recycles their scrap fabric through FABCYCLE.
Conscious Qualities: Eco-friendly fabrics, locally and fairly made, recycles scrap fabrics
Price Range: $845 – $3,300 CAD
Size Range: 0 – 28
3. Lost in Paris
Lost in Paris crafts each of their creatively designed bohemian-inspired gowns ethically in their Sydney, Australia studio. Unconventional yet undeniably striking, Lost in Paris’ dresses are made from vintage lace and cotton.
Investing in a dress from Lost in Paris is seamless — the brand offers at-home sample try-ons, offers train and sleeve adjustments on several styles, ships their dresses worldwide for free, and even accepts returns. Oh, and, if one of their ready-made sizes doesn’t work for you, you can get a dress designed to your measurements.
Conscious Qualities: Made-to-order model, uses vintage lace, locally made
Price Range: $950 – $3900 AUD
Size Range: XXS – XXL + custom sizing options
For More Slow Fashion Content:
4. Wear Your Love
Wear Your Love creates feminine, effortless dresses in their Northern California studio that are — in contrast to the majority of wedding dresses on the market — actually comfortable! The brand’s free-spirited designs are made with soft, earth-minded fabrics like organic cotton and each dress is made to order for each bride to their exact measurements.
There are also customizations available for each eco-friendly wedding dress such as train or no train, skirt or sleeve linings, back coverage, skirt style, and more.
Conscious Qualities: Eco-friendly fabrics, made-to-order model, locally and transparently made
Price Range: $680 – $1,700
Size Range: N/A; dresses are made to your measurements
5. Larimeloom
Based in Reggio Emilia, Italy, Larimeloom crafts exceptional custom-made dresses by hand in their atelier. The brand creates comfortable minimalist dresses from durable natural fabrics and colors them with natural or non-toxic dyes.
Larimeloom has also implemented zero waste design techniques, cutting their patterns strategically in order to minimize fabric waste.
Conscious Qualities: Made-to-order model, zero-waste designs, natural fabrics and dyes
Price Range: 650€ – 2,650€
Size Range: XS – XL
6. Sister Organics
Sourcing quality earth-friendly natural fabrics like organic hemp and cotton, Sister Organics creates classic, eco-friendly wedding dresses for UK-based brides.
Each dress is made to order in England, so you can select a pre-defined size, customize the length of a size, or get an entirely different dress made for your measurements.
Conscious Qualities: Eco-friendly fabrics, made-to-order model
Price Range: £125 – £390
Size Range: XXS – XXL + custom sizing
7. Indiebride London
Indiebride’s vintage-inspired sustainable wedding dresses are delicate and romantic yet free-spirited, offering a unique collection for the bride that wants to skip the conventional wedding gown and choose a piece that fits their individual style.
The brand’s conscious wedding dresses are handmade in London using majority natural fibers and can be altered or customized to your specifications.
Conscious Qualities: Made-to-order model, uses many natural fabrics, locally made
Price Range: £1,200 – £1,700
Size Range: 8 – 16 (UK sizes)
More Resources For Your Eco Wedding:
10 Secondhand Wedding Dress Sites for the Eco Bride
7 Ethical Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement and Wedding Rings
17 Brands with Conscious Dresses (great options for bridesmaid dresses in here!)
The post 7 Best Sustainable Wedding Dresses for Your Special Day appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.
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