METAL-FED FLORA: UPLB researchers discover nickel-eating plant in Zambales

In the dense jungles of Zambales, one plant does not just survive on toxic soil — it thrives on it.

Researchers from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), led by Professor Edwino Fernando, discovered Rinorea niccolifera, a small shrub with an almost-rare capability of absorbing extreme levels of nickel in its leaves without dying.

Because of this unique ability, the plant has been classified as part of a rare group known as hyperaccumulators — plants known for storing toxic metals such as nickel inside their leaves without harming themselves.

While most plants would already be poisoned by even the smallest amounts of nickel, Rinorea niccolifera uses it to its advantage.

According to Fernando, this plant can absorb as much as 18,000 parts per million of nickel in its leaf tissues — an amount that would be toxic to almost any other life form.

The research was formally published in PhytoKeys in 2014, where the plant was officially introduced as a new species.

In areas polluted by mining, hyperaccumulator plants like Rinorea niccolifera offer a natural way to restore soil health.

The plant shows promising potential in contributing to green technologies, particularly in phytoremediation — the process of using plants to clean up toxic and polluted lands.

Dr. Teresita Perez of Ateneo de Manila University, although not part of the research team, acknowledged the plant’s strong potential to help detoxify contaminated soil, including those near mining areas.

“These are environment-friendly technologies, using local materials and not utilizing chemicals or expensive imported technologies,” she said.

What sets Rinorea niccolifera apart is its adaptability to local conditions, as it is native to the Philippines and already well-suited to metal-heavy environments.

In addition to phytoremediation, it can also be used for phytomining — a method of growing hyperaccumulators to harvest and recover metals from their biomass.

This alternative method may help reduce the need for traditional mining, which often damages ecosystems and habitats and causes long-term environmental harm.

Beyond its metal-eating skills, Rinorea niccolifera stands as a proud symbol of the Philippines’ rich biodiversity.

In 1998, Conservation International classified the Philippines as one of the 17 megadiverse nations worldwide, home to a remarkable number of unique flora and fauna.

The discovery of this plant adds to the growing list of native species that offer valuable traits for both science and industry.

Rinorea niccolifera belongs to the Violaceae family — the same family as violets — and grows either as a small tree or leafy shrub.

Its bright green leaves also help it blend in with its surroundings, making it easy to overlook despite its remarkable traits.

Its presence reflects not only nature’s adaptability but also its vast, untapped scientific potential.

As interest in nature-based solutions continues to grow, so too must efforts to support biodiversity research, conservation, and responsible land management.

Philippine forests may still hold many more species with incredible, practical abilities — if they are given the chance to be found.