NEPENTHES OF IMBAK CANYON CONSERVATION AREA

Elia Godoong1, Pius Pansang2, Saiful Narimin2, B. Ahmad3, Hamzah Tangki2, Yap Sau Wai2
1Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jalan UMS, 88400 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia;
212th Floor, Menara Tun Mustapha, Yayasan Sabah, Likas Bay, P.O.Box 11623, 88817 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
3Forestry Complex, Faculty Of Science And Natural Resources, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jalan UMS, 88400 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.

Nepenthaceae is monogeneric family, contains 140 species of tropical pitcher plants native to Madagascar, Southeast Asia, and Australia. Most of these
species are grow in very acidic soil. This fascinating and beautiful plant famous for its carnivorous pitcher, a distinctive character of the pitcher fluid is
the digestive enzyme activity that may be derived from plants and dwelling microbes. Survey along the trail harboured nine species of Nephenthes viz.
N. gracilis, N. tentaculata, N. veitchii, N. tentaculata, N. stenophylla, N. hirsuta, N. macrovulgaris, N. ampullaria, N. rafflesiana, and N. reinwardtiana.

The carnivorous pitcher is part of

the leaves which borne at the end
of tendrils that extend from the
midrib.
Nepenthes gracilis Nepenhes tentaculata Nepenthes veitchii

Most species produce two types of pitchers “Lower or terrestrial” and “upper or aerial”.

Nepenthes stenophylla Nepenthes macrovulgaris

Nepenthes hirsuta

Nepenthes stenophylla

Nepenthes ampullaria Nepenthes rafflesiana Nepenthes reinwardtiana

Aerial pitchers on a climbing stem

The greatest diversity of Nepenthes are found in Borneo, Sumatra and the Philippines. Member of
the Nepenthes grow within a broad altitude range from sea level to 3,400 meters (11,100 feet).
Mt. Kinabalu is the centre of its distribution in Sabah. Imbak Canyon within this range, it’s a home
to many species, most of the species recorded in this study were found on the ridges along the
summit trail which is Montane kerangas, poor soil and acidic. More survey needed to explore the
kerangas which have a high potential to find more species of Nepenthes. Plan for Conservation of
Nepenthes on in-situ and ex-situ basis is necessary due to its fascinating feature which can be one
of the nature tourism product. For ex-situ many of these species can be planted near to ICCA. Rugged and undulating surface of Imbak
Canyon is the right habitat for Nepenthes.
Contact
Acknowledgement: Elna Andrea Jemmy, Eddyrra Eddy Joeman, Jakariah Ahmad, Alasri Asni, Idris Arsan, Fredoline Tonny, Dr. Elia Godoong
Jadda Suhaimi, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Yayasan Sabah, Petronas, Sabah Forestry Department. elia@ums.edu.my
eliagodoong@gmail.com