New bright orange Rhododendron species discovered in C Sulawesi

Jakarta (ANTARA) - A joint team of scientists led by the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) has discovered a new species of ornamental plant belonging to the Rhododendron genus in the mountains of Central Sulawesi.

The newly identified species features vibrant orange funnel-shaped flowers and has been officially named Rhododendron yombuwurii.

The team's findings were published in the international scientific journal Taiwania (Volume 71, No. 2, 2026).

According to Prima Wahyu Kusuma Hutabarat, a researcher at BRIN's Research Center for Biosystematics and Evolution, the plant is a slender, tree-dwelling shrub (epiphytic shrub) that grows semi-upright or horizontally.

While its closest known relative is Rhododendron celebicum, the new species sets itself apart by its smaller leaves and significantly smaller, bright orange blossoms—contrasting with the large pink or red flowers of its cousin.

"The differences are very distinct," Hutabarat explained. "Aside from the size, Rhododendron yombuwurii features semi-upright flower clusters rather than hanging ones."

The journey to identifying the plant began in June 2023 when researchers spotted a live specimen being cultivated near the Saluopa Waterfall tourist area in Central Sulawesi.

Further investigation revealed that locals had rescued the fallen wild plant from the mountain forests of the Tokorondo range, west of Tentena and Lake Poso, where it grows at elevations between 1,000 and 1,800 meters.

To officially confirm the new taxonomic status, researchers utilized advanced molecular and imaging technologies alongside traditional physical observations.

"We used a Focused Ion Beam Scanning Electron Microscope (FIB-SEM) at BRIN's genomics laboratory to identify the specific microscopic scale structures on the leaves," said Muhammad Rifqi Hariri, another BRIN researcher involved in the study.

He added that the team also conducted nuclear DNA analysis to conclusively verify that the plant represents a distinct, separate evolutionary lineage.

The species name yombuwurii honors the late Reverend Yombu Wuri, a prominent religious and customary leader of the local Pamona tribe who was widely known for his dedication to biodiversity conservation in the Poso region.

Ecologically, the Tokorondo Mountains hold vast biodiversity potential but remain poorly explored due to difficult terrain.

According to initial conservation assessments under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria, the new species has been categorized as "Data Deficient" (DD).

Scientists noted that its wild populations have not yet been observed directly in the deep forest interior, making systematic field surveys an urgent next step.

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Translator: Sean Filo Muhamad, Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono

Editor: Azis Kurmala

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