A new species of lipstick vine, Aeschynanthus pentatrichomatus, was discovered in the Philippine rainforest by a team of botanists from Oxford University and the University of the Philippines Los Baños during a 2022 expedition. This critically endangered species highlights the urgent need for conservation in biodiversity hotspots. The plant was found in the remote Barangay Balbalasang rainforest on Luzon Island, requiring challenging access through dense vegetation, facilitated by the Banao Tribe, the local indigenous community.
The discovery was significant due to the plant’s uniquely patterned purple mottled flowers, reminiscent of a European foxglove. The species was named after its five hair-like outgrowths in the flower’s throat, reflecting the botanical team’s meticulous research. Lipstick vines, totaling around 180 species, typically grow on other plants and showcase brightly colored flowers that attract bird pollinators.
The new species is critically endangered, primarily due to forest destruction from increasingly severe typhoons linked to climate change. Researchers strive to use this discovery to bolster conservation efforts in the region, emphasizing the vital role of indigenous communities in protecting unique ecosystems. This finding underscores the importance of documenting undiscovered species to enhance global biodiversity conservation.
