A.O

17/08/2023

The Philippine National Tree 𝑷𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒑𝒖𝒔 𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒖𝒔, more commonly known as the Narra.
Look at the seed yield on this one tree, imagine if these were planted instead of mahogany or non-native species.

This one was growing in dolomitic soil, in northern cebu island.

18/05/2023

New Video Uploaded on Youtube!

Tagged along new friends and I revisited Dinagat Islands.
I took them deep into hidden spots and the new sub-population of the critically endangered Nepenthes erucoides that I found while getting lost the last time I was there.

In the vid I put comparative clips of old and new footage of individuals I re-encountered.
Glad to see they were still doing well.

Unfortunately we had bad weather which wasnt good for recording and I didnt have much time to edit either so its much quieter than the previous videos, but the shots are longer, no meme references though but check it out now anyways! 😂

This was made a few months ago & I didnt have time to edit it as much compared to previous videos, so some edits aren't good and I didnt get to make it as hu...

01/05/2023

The critically endangered Nepenthes erucoides, only found in one island at the tip of mindanao. It is one of the Philippines rarest plants.

An extreme survivor, growing in what is essentially heavy metal soil toxic to other plants. Pushing through hot and dry summers, not to mention constantly getting windswept by strong winds and heavy rains during the monsoons season. A normal thing for an island facing the pacific ocean. It is also arguably the hairiest carnivorous plant on the planet.

A bit of good news about these is that despite being located in what's essentially a mining area, the populations are breeding (albiet the numbers are few) at the same time the operations have stopped (hopefully permanently). We could visually see the land recovering.

A few people have also been successful in developing Tissue Cultured specimens in the recent years, to help curb the poaching demand. We are sure they will be available cheaply in the coming years so avoid buying dying poached plants with ridiculous prices (dont ask us if we sell any, we do not).

A few months later I had a few chats with Dr.Alastair Robinson and I realized that the population I found may have been a different area from the population they originally discovered erucoides in, and he confirmed that apparently It was.

It did bother me for a few months that the locals couldnt relate when I described the area to them, plus tourist photos and Dr.Robinsons photos were way different from mine.

The locals faces were dumbfounded when I described going through grassy blade areas, dense jungle, pitfall trap sinkholes, rock formations, ridges and cliffs. As opposed to the flat plain open area I was supposed to go.

I basically found a hidden population of erucoides and the videos I made were never really the true "redondo" where it was first discovered but a different part of it.

Ironically enough If you check the videos I did say "wouldnt it be funny if I went the wrong way", and apparently we did, I had absolutely no idea where I was going and in doing so we accidentaly found a new population.

Sometimes going the wrong way is the right way.

P.S Do not go into mountain adventures alone please, I am a du***ss. Im still feeling a few injuries after those ventures, I also grew up around mountains so im used to it.

18/04/2023

Potential Nep areas we will be exploring at some point.
I live closely but only recently realized the scale of unexplored areas within proximity.

Many of these have only been recently opened to explorers (either due to civil wars, indigenous folk prohibitions, geography, etc.) and so we are expecting untouched healthy populations, as well as the possibility of new species.

A large portion of Philippine Mountains are still untouched and were gonna be touching everything over the coming years (pun intended).

We will not be revealing specific locations
*Photos are not mine

02/04/2023

Nepenthes mindanaoensis is one of the most widespread Pitcher Plant on the island of mindanao.

It is also one of the most prolific breeders and readily hybridizes with other species of pitcher plants, resulting in a rainbow of unique traits and color morphs.

Check out Part 4 on Youtube, we covered mindanaoensis and its hybrids in this video.
https://youtu.be/bcTHGKNhGp4

31/03/2023

Leeches, alimatok, limatik, linta.

Im not particularly fond of them. I'll handle snakes, tarantulas, scorpions, dogs, lionfish, sea urchins, even worms although similarly squishy, but leeches just creep me out for some reason.

So I spent a bit of time hanging with this little guy trying to understand why they creep me out, and as I allowed it to squish around and suck me off (consent), I realized that they arent as bad as how i feel about them. I found them fascinating, although still creepy.

Leeches have been around since the time of the dinosaurs. Humans have used them for "clinical bloodletting" for at least 2500 years (particularly the sp. Hirudo medicinalis).

There are over 680 species with varying habitat preferences from the tropical highlands all the way down rivers and even to the sea. The largest which is the Giant Amazonian Leech can reach a little over 17 inches (Haementeria ghilianii), these were once thought to be extinct in the 1890's but a breeding population was established after it was rediscovered in the 1970's (If you saw that anaconda movie that may have been it).

There are also predatory leeches which actively hunt prey like snails or other worms, they often have different feeding habits, swallowing prey whole rather than just sucking the blood out, some even have spear-like mouthparts which strike prey.

The common blood sucking types have 3 blade-like teeth which slice through the skin of hosts, often leaving a Y-shaped incision.

Leech saliva contains anticoagulants, which slow down the clotting of blood allowing them to feed long enough before the platelets start to form a plug at the site of injury.

Which is why if you get bitten by a leech it often bleeds for a while, the saliva slows down the body's clotting process.

But not to worry as these suck off events are relatively harmless, its just really annoying and creepy. I got like 3 bites or so and I didnt even notice until I was home still bleeding LOL.

27/03/2023

Heliamphora or the Sun Pitchers are South American Carnivorous plants that have evolved in Tepuis (Flat Mountain tops).Tepui translates to "House of the Gods" because of their elevation (up to 3000m asl), being higher up means they have cooler climate despite being tropical, they get massive amounts of rain all year.

Heliamphora ciliata is one of the few species that can be found in lower elevations around 900m asl, and so can be grown in higher temperatures. It seems to be doing well despite the Philippine heat.

Ultra Lowland/Full Sun/23-35°C
RH 70-95%
Tropical Outdoors

20/03/2023

There is hope for the next generation of gigantic pitcher plants of mindanao (Nepenthes truncata), all we have to do is leave them be and allow them to breed every year.

Truncata are already available in cultivation, hobbyists just needs to be patient, many people are growing them from seed and tissue culture already, so avoid supporting poached.
(not just truncata)

We have memorized certain mature individuals and unique hidden populations, and will be putting a designated name, (especially the females) so we can track and check them every year to see their progress. Nothing too official and detailed just enough to keep you guys somehow updated. (We will revisit sites every year).

11/03/2023

An insanely squat Nepenthes merriliana and another nepenthes that appears to be hybrid of mindanaoensis and truncata

Follow our page to keep up with our adventures.
Check out our youtube and subscribe if you wanna see Nepenthes in the wild!
https://youtube.com/

Stefan Matschke Floravitro

06/03/2023

Its been said that plant people are crazy, especially the ones who explore the wilds. The threat of King cobras, vipers, wild boars, leeches, venomous spiders, getting lost, and possible human conflicts just doesn't seem to deter them.

This dark morphed Nepenthes truncata was quite a sight to behold. Everything about it was unique.

Growing in the lowland heat (approx. 600m asl) with dark coloration, compact leaves, and a sun exposed grow area.

I will be revisiting this individual in the coming years to check on their progress. We will be keeping this location a secret for the best.

02/03/2023

We mellowed down the meme references and went a bit more brainy on these last three videos, mostly because we ran out of memes to use (Don't worry white people there will still be a few in there).

New videos out on Youtube, just uploaded PART 3, 4, & 5 of our Solo Adventure to Mt. Redondo.

Watch as we find awesome things on our trek to find the HAIRIEST and one of the rarest Pitcher Plants in the World, Nepenthes erucoides. (I like saying we but its really just me)

Click the link below to check out our Youtube to see PART 1-5 of our Adventure.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3nawJEEA00lFnD2szZ30wA
Give us a like, follow, & subscribe so we feel important.

27/02/2023

The thing about exploring remote mountains is that theres always a chance discover something completely new, or at least an extreme variation of a species
(and also rip a few tendons, eat dirt, and get stabbed by a few sticks along the way).

The philippines has over 7100 islands, multiple unexplored mountain ranges (especially mindanao, unexplored due to brrrt brrrt 🔫 boom2x 💣), a multitude of undescribed species and an obsession with pointless paperwork nobody even likes doing (seriously philippines wtf?). Many islands host species that can only be found within said islands and very often even just specific mountains (sometimes just peaks!).

I live pretty closely and yet everything seemed so alien on our climbs, very different from the lowland urban life (no mcdonalds at 700masl). The metallic feel of the oxidized soil, the cool winds blowing through my moist underwear, f*cking leeches, high pitched background noises filipinos make when seeing foreigners), beautiful german words like "Scheiße" as my fellow german frens hit their shins on a rock.

Its an amazing experience to be able to go to areas that havent been explored much by science, and i am hoping to explore more biological hotspots in the coming years and share my experience, assuming they dont get destroyed (i have future projects for nature stuff).

I've always explored alone, so it was a nice change to collaborate with Matze of Green-Jaws, Manu of Floravitro, and Sir Stefan. I was given the chance to f*ck around and find out with fellow plant peeps (i also fell down a hole so im pretty glad these guys were there to pull me out LOL).

I also learned very bad german words, new ways to enjoy garlic, and watch germans cook rice the wrong way (so fun!). I have never eaten an entire chicken before i met you guys. Come back soon so i can experience getting screamed at by filipinas once again.

(shout out to Carnivorous Plant Peatposting i have once again put you guys in the paperwork LOL)

14/02/2023

Check out PART 1 & 2 of our adventure on Youtube! I climbed Mount Redondo to find one of the rarest and HAIRIEST Pitcher Plants on the planet, Nepenthes erucoides, along the way we see some amazing Philippine Nepenthes and other ultramafic species.

Check out PART 1 & 2 now!

PART 3, 4 & 5 will follow up soon! I had to cut it by episode because the PC I have is'nt very good for editing long videos.

PART 1 - https://youtu.be/ezYqT7aOurQ?list=PLgQUB3XlEzsecy3WygFMGyy6ue__Gafif
PART 2 - https://youtu.be/TazygP9fSPc?list=PLgQUB3XlEzsecy3WygFMGyy6ue__Gafif

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