RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - A collaborative expedition into the heart of North Sumatra has unveiled a botanical rarity that is already facing the threat of extinction. A joint research team led by the National Innovation and Research Agency (BRIN) recently identified Homalomena lingua-felis, a new endemic aroid species found clinging to the rocky waterfall walls of Batang Toru, Tapanuli.

As reported by Antara, while the discovery marks a significant milestone for Indonesian biodiversity, researchers are quickly sounding the alarm, proposing a "Vulnerable" status due to the plant’s high aesthetic appeal and precarious habitat.

The species earned its name from the Latin words lingua and feles, translated literally as "cat’s tongue." This moniker refers to the plant's most striking feature, which is an upper leaf surface covered in dense hairs that mimic the rough texture of a feline's tongue.

A researcher at BRIN’s Research Center for Biosystematics and Evolution, Muhammad Rifqi Hariri, noted that these specific traits were instrumental in categorizing the plant.

"These morphological characters serve as the primary basis for establishing this as a species new to science," remarked Rifqi during a briefing in Jakarta on Monday, March 9, 2026.

Beyond its unique texture, the team, which included experts from ITB, UNS, IPB University, and several botanical organizations, distinguished the plant from its close relative, Homalomena pexa, through its shorter petioles, granulated undersides, and cone-shaped male floral structures.

The discovery was solidified through a combination of fieldwork conducted in January 2024 and rigorous DNA analysis using ITS sequences to confirm its genetic lineage within the Homalomena group.

However, the excitement of the find is tempered by the species' fragile existence. Restricted to a very narrow occupancy area, the "cat-tongue" aroid is currently battling multiple fronts for survival.

The population is under constant pressure from forest fires and is a prime target for illegal collection, driven by its high value in the ornamental plant trade. Experts warn that without immediate protection, this newly cataloged piece of Indonesia’s natural heritage could vanish as quickly as it was found. ***