Mysterious plant found 12 years ago in Tawau confirmed as new species

A plant specimen discovered 12 years ago in Tawau, Malaysia, has finally been identified as a new species, adding a significant record to Sabah's rich biodiversity. Officially named *Ardisia condensiflora*, the discovery was published on May 26 in the international botanical journal Phytotaxa.

The identification and confirmation were carried out by researchers from the Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation (IBTP) at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Dr. Avelinah Julius, in collaboration with Dr. Timothy M.A. Utteridge from the Singapore Botanic Gardens and IBTP UMS. The plant was originally found in 2014 within the shaded, mixed lowland dipterocarp forest and along riverbanks in the protected area of Tawau Hills Park.

Extensive taxonomic and herbarium studies were conducted using specimens loaned from the Sabah Parks Herbarium. This process underscores the vital role of herbarium collections, not just for preservation but as crucial references for identifying new species previously unknown to science. *Ardisia condensiflora* has so far only been found in Tawau Hills Park, making it endemic to Sabah.

Based on two collected records, the rare species is preliminarily assessed as vulnerable (VU D2) according to International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria, due to its highly restricted habitat distribution. UMS Vice-Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr. Kasim Mansor stated that such discoveries highlight Sabah's forests as invaluable "living laboratories." Dr. Avelinah added that Borneo continues to hold many undiscovered species, emphasizing the importance of ongoing scientific exploration, herbarium research, and conservation efforts to prevent extinctions before species can even be documented.