The discovery of a new species does not always begin with a scientific expedition into a remote forest. In the case of Nepenthes ×taringkecil, the path to scientific recognition instead began with a photograph uploaded to social media.
The pitcher plant, which grows in the heath forests and peat swamps of Mempawah Regency, West Kalimantan, Indonesia, first drew public attention in 2024—well before its name appeared in an international scientific journal.
Two pitcher plant enthusiasts and cultivators, Nazila and Rais, shared images of the plant after noticing features that did not fully match any known Nepenthes species.
Their post was subsequently monitored by researchers from the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) and the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). From this point, a multi-stage scientific process began, ultimately leading to its formal publication in the January 2026 issue of Phytotaxa.
The plant was named Nepenthes ×taringkecil, a naturally occurring hybrid resulting from a cross between Nepenthes bicalcarata and Nepenthes mirabilis.
Public Contributions to Revealing a Natural Hybrid
The successful identification of Nepenthes ×taringkecil relied heavily on informal field information. Reports from local residents confirmed that both parent species grow side by side in the Mempawah region, within heath forest and peat swamp ecosystems.
These conditions strengthen the hypothesis of natural hybridization—a phenomenon known to be relatively common within the genus Nepenthes, particularly when two species flower at similar times and share the same pollinators.
Due to time constraints, the research team did not conduct direct specimen collection at the site. Instead, they relied on specimens provided by the enthusiast community.
This collaboration involved Arifin Surya Dwipa Irsyam (ITB), M. Rifqi Hariri (BRIN), and M. Hisyam Fadhil (IPB University), who subsequently validated the community’s findings through rigorous scientific methods.
The “Tiny Fangs” That Define Its Identity
The name ×taringkecil refers to the plant’s most distinctive morphological feature: the peristome, or pitcher rim. This species bears a pair of tooth-like structures measuring approximately 0.5–0.8 millimeters in length.
“We named it ×taringkecil because its peristome has a pair of small tooth-like projections measuring about 0.5–0.8 millimeters. In its parent species, N. bicalcarata, the fangs can reach lengths of up to 3 centimeters,” said Arifin Surya Dwipa Irsyam.
Morphologically, Nepenthes ×taringkecil exhibits intermediate characteristics inherited from both parent species. Its upper pitchers are cylindrical in shape, resembling those of N. mirabilis, while retaining the fang-like structures of N. bicalcarata in a markedly reduced form.
The plant also lacks the hollow tendril cavity characteristic of N. bicalcarata, which typically serves as a nesting site for ants, indicating a clear ecological distinction from one of its parent species.
Collaborative, Science-Based Validation
All stages of scientific validation were conducted centrally in Bogor. Rifqi Hariri led the molecular analysis using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) genetic markers.
The results revealed close genetic affinity with N. mirabilis, alongside strong morphological influence from N. bicalcarata, reinforcing its classification as a naturally occurring hybrid.
Meanwhile, Hisyam Fadhil was responsible for cultivating live specimens and producing the botanical illustrations, while Arifin prepared the detailed morphological description. The research was supported by funding from BRIN through the Rumah Program scheme in 2023 and 2026.
The discovery of Nepenthes ×taringkecil demonstrates that documenting Indonesia’s biodiversity no longer depends solely on formal scientific expeditions. When researchers and the public work together, hidden natural wealth can surface—even beginning with a single, simple online post.
