Nepenthes megastoma (Nepenthaceae), a Micro-endemic Pitcher Plant from Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Palawan, Philippines

Authors

John Charles A. Altomonte, Ateneo de Manila UniversityFollow
John Paul R. Collantes, Philippine Taxonomic Initiative, Inc.Follow
Vernaluz Mangussad, Palawan State UniversityFollow
Rene Alfred Anton Bustamante, Philippine Taxonomic Initiative, Inc.Follow
Alastair S. Robinson, Royal Botanic Gardens VictoriaFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-12-2025

Abstract

Nepenthes megastoma is described and illustrated as a new species from the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Palawan Philippines. This carnivorous tropical pitcher plant is currently known from just three locations in the Mount Saint Paul karst formation, where it grows on vertical limestone walls. Morphologically, N. megastoma is characterised by its highly branched stems, campanulate pitchers, peltate tendril exsertion, dimorphic upper pitchers, and unidirectionally upturned female flowers. It is assessed as Critically Endangered under the IUCN Red List criteria, based on its restriction to three subpopulations comprising few total individuals. Pitcher morphology suggests a degree of ecological-functional convergence with N. campanulata of Borneo, though overall morphology indicates a probable close affinity with the widespread Palawan endemic N. philippinensis.

Recommended Citation

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