The Cambodian government has recently issued a call for citizens to stop harvesting a rare plant known for its unique shape resembling “male genitalia.”
A Cambodian woman searching for the uniquely shaped pitcher plant for social media photos – (Photo: KHMER TIMES).
According to the Cambodian newspaper Khmer Times, the Ministry of Environment recently shared a photo on social media depicting three women grabbing the “male genitalia” pitcher plant and posing provocatively. In the post, the Cambodian Ministry of Environment urged the public to “leave” this rare plant species alone.
The plant, scientifically known as Nepenthes holdenii, was discovered in the Cardamom Mountains in southwestern Cambodia. It is essentially a carnivorous plant with a “trap” designed to catch various insects.
British photographer Jeremy Holden was the first to discover the plant, and it was named in his honor.
Commenting on the Ministry of Environment’s post, Mr. Holden noted that the plant being harmed in the images is actually Nepenthes bokorensis, a close relative of Nepenthes holdenii.
Unique pitcher plants in Cambodia – (Photo: CAMBODIA EXPATS ONLINE)
According to the newspaper Phnom Penh Post, Cambodia is currently home to many rare and endemic pitcher plant species.
Recently, the trend of “hunting” unique plants like Nepenthes holdenii and Nepenthes bokorensis has seen a surge following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions. Many people are braving the challenges to search the highlands of Cambodia in hopes of finding Nepenthes holdenii for social media photos.
Numerous tourists have uprooted entire specimens of these pitcher plants to take home and cultivate, while many locals have been seen uprooting the plants for sale.
The Cambodian government has classified Nepenthes holdenii as a rare species that requires urgent protection.
In July 2021, senior officials from the Ministry of Environment also urged tourists not to harvest the iconic carnivorous pitcher plants of Cambodia. They warned that this valuable species could face extinction if the hunting continues unabated.
