FLORA
Identifying and Conserving The Rich Diversity Of Plants
Flora Research and Conservation
The focus of our initiative is to conserve our rich diversity of plants and their habitats. We have done this by establishing a seed bank and digital herbarium while conducting translocation and replantation as part of our efforts.
Our Initiatives
Our researchers actively investigate the ecology, evolution, and conservation of biological diversity through research at all levels. Discover The Centre for Biodiversity, Conservation, and Research Efforts' most recent initiatives.
Our Flora Findings
Meiogyne Kanthanensis
Gunung KanthanBelongs to the family of Annonaceae. This species was discovered for the first time in 2013 and categorised as Critically Endangered by IUCN Conservation Status due to the restricted species distribution. It is a small tree up to 15m tall and the flowers produce a complex scent reminiscent of pomelo, citrus, plum, lemongrass and lychee.
Vatica kanthanensis
Gunung KanthanBelongs to the family of Dipterocarpaceae. This species was discovered for the first time in 2013 and categorised as Critically Endangered by IUCN Conservation Status due to the restricted species distribution.
Gymnostachyum kanthanense
Gunung KanthanBelong to the family of Acanthaceae. It was a newly described species in 2013. This species is a small creeping herb with purple flowers. Due to its restricted habitat, this herb is categorised as Critically Endangered based on IUCN Conservation Status.
Paraboea Vulpina (Family: Gesneriaceae)
Gunung KanthanIs one of the endemic limestone specialist that has been recorded in Peninsular Malaysia (Kinta Valley) and Thailand. This species is categorised as Vulnerable by IUCN Red List Database and became a major concern for conservation due to the limited species distribution.
The Fan Palm Borassodendron Machadonis (Family: Arecaceae)
Gunung KanthanWhich was said to be Perak endemic, was found in several locations to flourish on the substrate of abandoned oil palm plantation at the eastern buffer zone of the Kanthan quarry operational area. The fan palm can grow up to 20m tall and can be found in lowland forests, including on limestone.
Calcicole Cycad (Cycas clivicola – Family: Cycadaceae)
Gunung KanthanCan be found near the summit of the limestone hill. Calcicole Cycad can grow up to 5m tall and can only be found at limestone outcrops. This cycad is a common species in limestone outcrops of Peninsular Malaysia especially at the northern area.
Shorea Roxburghii G. Don
LangkawiFamily : Dipterocarpaceae. Description : Tree (sometime big) on lowlands and sometime on limestone Distribution : Perlis, Pulau Langkawi, Kedah Status : Endangered (IUCN), Near Threatened (MPR).
Intsia Bijuga (Colebr.) Kuntze
LangkawiFamily : Leguminosae Description : Tree to 25m tall on coasts and tidal reaches of rivers Distribution : Throughout Status : Vulnerable (IUCN), Not Available (MPR).