The latest Paper of the Month for A natural hybrid of carnivorous plant Nepenthes benstonei × rafflesiana (Nepenthaceae) emits vivid green autofluorescence: the first report for the genus is freely available.

The journey began in 2015, driven by my deep passion for tropical pitcher plants—carnivorous plants that feed on animals! That passion took me to many remote mountain summits across Peninsular Malaysia, hoping to observe these plants in their natural habitat and discover rare, unknown species. In 2018, a striking and unfamiliar pitcher plant was sighted on a lesser-known mountain. That sighting eventually led to the formal description of Nepenthes malayensis and two more species N. domei and N. latiffiana. These findings broke a 21-year silence in Nepenthes discoveries in Peninsular Malaysia and sparked renewed interests in the search for more elusive taxa. Not long ago, Peninsular Malaysia had just 11 known Nepenthes species. Now, it boasts 20, and that number could still grow. Remarkably, Nepenthes are dioecious and have a high tendency to produce interspecific hybrids when certain ecological and reproductive conditions are met, adding to the diversity found in the region.

In our latest work, we report the discovery of a previously undocumented natural hybrid pitcher plant—Nepenthes benstonei × rafflesiana—nestled on an eastern mountain of Peninsular Malaysia. What makes this hybrid particularly fascinating is that its peristome (the mouth of the trap) emits a green glow under UV light. Blue fluorescence has been observed in some Nepenthes species before, but green fluorescence is completely unprecedented in the realm of carnivorous plants. One intriguing question remains: does this green fluorescence play a role in attracting insects? Although the function of fluorescence in carnivorous plants is still debated, research in other plant systems suggests that insects are indeed drawn to fluorescent structures. Our paper also explores possible phytochemical and microbial interactions that might be responsible for the glowing green effect. The presence of fluorescing metabolites or symbiotic microbes may be responsible, though further studies are needed to confirm this. In the publication, we also detail the morphological characteristics that support the plant’s hybrid status. However, certain features such as the upper stem and inflorescence remain undocumented due to limited observations. This discovery adds an exciting new chapter to the ongoing, decade-long study of the remarkable Nepenthes genus in Peninsular Malaysia. The journey continues, and with each new summit, nature reveals a little more of its mystery.

Looking ahead, we are excited to dive into the genetics of this glowing Nepenthes. Our focus will be on how hybridisation has shaped its DNA, particularly through analysis of the ITS barcoding marker and the gene that encodes nepenthesin—a key digestive enzymes in pitcher plants. Whether we observe distinct alleles or evidence of recombination between the parental versions of the protease gene will be the subject of further study. We are also interested in whether its vivid green fluorescence could be linked to transgressive inheritance, where hybrids exhibit traits beyond those of either parent. With only a handful of individuals known in the wild, Nepenthes benstonei × rafflesiana is not just a genetic curiosity. It is a conservation priority that we must not overlook. And yes, we have tried propagating Nepenthes just using shoots and it works!

Amin Asyraf Tamizi is a Malaysian field molecular biologist and researcher fascinated by tropical carnivorous plants. He explores remote mountains in search of Nepenthes and studies their taxonomy, genetics, and ecology.