Photo Source: Melissa Lupang
By Geena Roslyna
What makes Sabah so unique?
As a local who’s lived in Sabah for a good amount of time, I believe that Sabah is a paradise for nature lovers, including endemic plants and flowers that are exceptionally rare and sought-after.
From the iconic Rafflesias to the wild orchids discovered hundreds of years ago, this article invites you to explore some of these rare and unique blooms that you can try looking out for on your next visit to Sabah.
1. Rafflesia
The Rafflesia, typically found in Southeast Asia, is the biggest flower in the world. The biggest one can grow about 3.3 feet in diameter and weigh as much as 11 kilograms.
The Rafflesia is also a parasitic flowering plant that feeds on its host vine, the genus Tetrastigma, for nutrients. Fun fact, this plant produces a strong odour that smells like rotten meat, which earned its nickname, the “corpse flower”.
I should also add that rafflesias are short-lived. The seed can take months and even years to grow, but its bloom only lasts between three to seven days before it starts decaying. A rare sight indeed!
That said, out of all existing species, did you know three of them are found exclusively in Sabah? They are: Rafflesia keithii, Rafflesia pricei, and Rafflesia tengku-adlinii.
- Rafflesia keithii
Pictured above is the Rafflesia keithii with a gorgeous bloom, the largest species in Sabah, which can grow up to 80cm in diameter! It’s said that it can be found in areas within the Poring Rafflesia Conservation Centre, Poring Hot Springs Substation, and Kinabalu Park.
- Rafflesia pricei
Next on the list is the Rafflesia pricei, the second largest species in Sabah, about 30cm wide, and is found in the Tambunan Rafflesia Information Centre.
- Rafflesia tengku-adlinii
This third species in Sabah is the Rafflesia tengku-adlinii. It was named after one of Sabah’s foremost conservationists, Datuk Dr Tengku D. Z. Adlin, who discovered it in 1987.
So far, this Rafflesia is about 20cm, making it the smallest but rarest Rafflesia in Sabah.
It was previously found only in the Trus Madi Range and Maliau Basin Conservation, but during a recent Heart of Borneo scientific expedition in mid-August 2024, the Sabah Forestry Department would later discover that this Rafflesia resides in the Bukit Monkobo and Bukit Mentapok Forest Reserve.
Pro tip: Do call ahead to check if there are any blooms prior to your visit, as daily sightings are not guaranteed.
2. Rothschild’s Slipper Orchid (Paphiopedilum rothschildianum)
Imagine climbing Mt. Kinabalu and being lucky enough to spot one of the most precious (and expensive) orchids in the world – the Paphiopedilum rothschildianum!
Crowned as the “King of Orchids” and the “Gold of Kinabalu”, this extremely rare and majestic slipper orchid can only be found between 1,500 to 2,800 feet on the northeast-facing slopes of Mount Kinabalu and other protected areas in Sabah.
See its reddish-brown petals extending gracefully to the sides? To the locals, these outstretched petals resemble the traditional Kadazan-Dusun dance, the “Sumazau”, where a young woman stretches her arms wide to imitate the elegant movements of a bird in flight.
Best time to go: between April and June (but not always guaranteed, as the orchid needs bright light and a dip in the nighttime temperature to trigger flower spikes).
3. Begonia Kinabaluensis (Kinabalu Begonia)
Interestingly, the name Begonia stemmed (pun intended) from the French Botanist, Charles Plumier, who named the genus in honour of his patron, Michel Bégon (1638-1710).
In Sabah, the Begonia kinabaluensis is around 40 cm and is densely hairy, with dark red hairs up to 5 mm. You’ll notice that the glossy, plain green leaves have red veins with white tepals and are tinged pink at the base.
Thus, the Begonia Kinabaluensis is also one of the endemic plants found in Kinabalu Park, where it grows in shade in hill dipterocarp and lower montane forests at elevations of 1,000–2,000 m.
Best time to go: March to September (during the drier season).
4. Nepenthes Villosa (Pitcher Plants)
Shaped like a cup, the Nepenthes Villosa is one of the most distinctive species from Borneo that can grow up to 25cm in height in the wild. This carnivorous plant is also one of the endemic species found in the mossy forests of Mount Kinabalu.
What makes the Nepenthes Villosa different than the rest of the Nepenthes species? If you look at the rim of the plant, you’ll see that its teeth are more visible and pronounced. Other than that, the species is densely covered with brown hair which gives a hairy and shaggy look, thereby earning the name “Villosa” which means soft-haired or fuzzy in Latin.
It also takes great effort to grow the Nepenthes, which can take over a decade to reach full maturity. As for the growing conditions, nighttime temperature should be cold and cannot be close to 30℃ (85°F).
Best time to go: January to May (during the wetter months).
5. Rhododendron Lowii
Bright, bold, and vibrant, the Rhododendron Lowii bears flowers in shades of yellow to orange and that spread out like a funnel. This species is also one of Mount Kinabalu’s native plants which grows into a big shrub or small tree that can reach up to 10 metres in height. In terms of its growth, this plant can be found within the forest areas and subalpine grasslands around the 1,200 to 3,650 metre areas of Mount Kinabalu and Crocker Range.
If you’re planning on climbing Mount Kinabalu, check with local guides on blooming seasons and keep a lookout for these sunny yellow beauties as you climb the higher altitudes!
As these flowers can be found in different locations, some of the recommended places to spot them include the Mount Kinabalu Botanical Garden and nature trails at Kinabalu Park (Kundasang), the Rafflesia Information Centre (Tambunan), and the Rainforest Discovery Centre (Sandakan).
