A rare plant species once unseen in the country for over a century has been found at Altut Tuna Peak in Barangay Colonsabac, Matanao, Davao del Sur, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Davao announced.
During an expedition from July 3 to July 8, scientists confirmed a new population of the liverwort Treubia insignis, expanding its known habitat in Mindanao, DENR Davao said in a statement.
First discovered in the Philippines on Mount Banahao in 1913, the plant went unrecorded nationwide for over 100 years until researchers documented populations in Negros in 2019, followed by Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon in early 2023.
According to a study published in Bryophyte Diversity and Evolution, Treubia insignis grows along shaded, high-humidity stream banks in intact tropical rainforests. Because of these strict habitat needs, scientists view its presence as a key indicator of overall forest health.
The expedition brought together experts from the University of Southeastern Philippines, Central Mindanao University, Bukidnon State University, and the California Academy of Sciences, with technical assistance from DENR-Cenro Digos.
"Moving forward, the rediscovery of Treubia insignis at Altut Tuna Peak underscores the critical value of pairing academic exploration with regulatory expertise," DENR said.
The field team documented over 200 plant species, highlighting the area’s dense collection of mosses, liverworts, and hornworts. DENR stated that local officials and researchers will use the survey findings to formulate an environmental protection plan for Altut Tuna Peak.
