Malaysia: Fondness for lemang one reason why pitcher plants are becoming extinct, claims Mardi researcher

The Star 7 Jun 19;

SERDANG (Bernama): The pitcher plant (periuk kera in Malay) has a hot topic lately because of the popularity of lemang periuk kera.

Nature lovers and conservationists have expressed their concern over the use of these unique carnivorous plants to prepare lemang – a glutinous rice delicacy served during Hari Raya Aidilfitri – and they claim that the practice is causing the plants to become extinct.

There is an estimated 170 species of the pitcher plant worldwide, which belongs to the Nepenthes genus and is known for its characteristic "pitfall trap" – consisting of a deep-cupped cavity or pitcher filled with a liquid that can digest small insects that fall into it.

The habitats for 35 of the species can be found in Sabah and Sarawak, and 11 in peninsular Malaysia.

Other popular species found in Malaysia include Ampullaria, Lowii, Albomarginata, Gracilis, Macfarlanei and Rafflesiana.

Can thrive in nutrient-poor habitats

Pitcher plants actually play an important role in forest formation and growth.

They have an edge over other plants as they can grow on soil depleted of nutrients, said Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute's (Mardi) Dr Rosliza Jajuli.

Dr Rosliza is director of the Agrobiodiversity Resources Conservation and Sustainable Utilisation Programme under Mardi's Biodiversity and Environmental Research Centre.

She said the pitcher plant does not require nutrients from the soil to survive as it can get the necessary nourishment by digesting dried leaves or insects that it traps.

"This is why pitcher plants can be easily found on the fringes of forests where the soil is not fertile," she said.

Nutrient-poor habitats where pitcher plants grow will get to host other types of flora once the soil conditions improve over the decades.

The pitcher plant can even support other animal species living in the same habitat. For example, the Geosesarma, a species of small crab found in Malaysia, is dependent on the Ampullaria pitcher plant species for its source of water.

The Kerivoula hardwickii bat species, meanwhile, are known to roost in the pitchers of the Rafflesiana species.

Under threat

Dr Mohd Norfaizal Ghazali, a senior researcher under the same programme, said the pitcher plant was under threat of extinction and was much harder to find now compared to several years ago.

Mohd Norfaizal, who has gone on several expeditions to study the state of the nation's forests, said on one such expedition to a forest in the peninsula in March – together with officials from the Forestry Department and the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Department – they could not find any Ampullaria or Gracilis.

He said these pitcher plant species were seen growing there in abundance five years ago when they visited the same area.

"Their disappearance is due to natural and human factors," he said, adding that bush fires during the dry season cause the destruction of pitcher plants as they mostly grow in low-lying areas.

The human factor, however, is more worrying as uncontrolled land-clearing activities, as well as the harvesting of pitcher plants for culinary purposes and to meet the demand for exotic plants among avid gardeners, are taking a toll on the unique carnivorous plants.

It is understood that the Amullaria species is usually harvested for culinary reasons and the Macfarlanei species for sale as ornamental plants.

On suggestions that certain pitcher plant species be planted on a commercial basis to meet the market demand, Rosliza said it was something that was not easy to implement.

"If we are serious about commercialising this plant, the government must give institutions like Mardi the opportunity to conduct more studies on various species that are in demand so that they don't become extinct," she said.

To date, no study has been carried out to commercialise the pitcher plant and come up with technologies to speed up its growth and improve yield. – Bernama

'Gazette 13 species of pitcher plants'
Nor Ain Mohamed Radhi New Straits Times 8 Jun 19;

KUALA LUMPUR: The overharvesting of pitcher plants in a particular habitat will be disastrous to the species, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) research fellow in ecology and biodiversity Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Mohamad said.

He said although no study had been conducted on pitcher plants population in the country, over-harvesting might have already devastated the species.

“If the species is harvested for its pitchers only, the species may recover. (But) what if the collectors ripped off the entire plant to obtain the aerial and ground pitchers... ?”

Latiff had previously expressed concern on the recent wide- spread harvest of tropical pitcher plants to make lemang periuk kera (pitcher plant glutinous rice) for Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

He called on the Forestry Department to gazette all 13 pitcher plant species that were available in Peninsular Malaysia and place them under the list of preserved and conserved plants.

It was reported that a group of men in Segamat, Johor, who are members of Kumpulan Pencari Periuk Kera, spent their time during the fasting month inside forests searching for pitcher plants due to a high demand from customers.

It, however, has raised concern among nature lovers who are afraid that overharvesting might lead to the extinction of the plant species.

In Malaysia, there are more than 40 species of pitcher plants, with most of them found in East Malaysia.

Pitcher plants that are used to make lemang usually come from the Nepenthes ampullaria species.

It is said that the pitcher cup gives the lemang a soft creamy texture and a different taste compared with those prepared in bamboo casings.

Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) Agrobiodiversity Resources, Conservation and Sustainable Utilisation Programme director and head of research programme Dr Rosliza Jajuli said pitcher plants were used widely for lemang now, but might end up being used for cupcakes and other delicacies, too.

She said it was best to stick to the traditional way of making lemang with bamboo.

It was reported that state Forestry directors were instructed to monitor and take action against those who trespassed on forest reserves to collect forestry products, including pitcher plants.

Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia director-general Datuk Borhanudin Arshad said individuals must apply for a permit from the department before entering any state forest reserve.

Entering forest reserves without a permit falls under Section 47 of the National Forestry Act 1984, which carries a maximum three years’ jail or a fine of up to RM10,000.

Commenting on calls to gazette pitcher plants species, he said the department had taken note of the suggestion and would bring the matter to the senior management level.

Recently, actress Maya Karin, who is the River of Life ambassador, had urged traders to stop selling lemang periuk kera to maintain the sustainability and the ecosystem of the forests.

Maya said pitcher plants were hard to come by and could only be found in forests.