The species was identified by Universiti Malaysia Sabah researcher Avelinah Julius in collaboration with Timothy Utteridge of the Singapore Botanical Garden.

Since 2017, Avelinah has contributed to the discovery and identification of at least five new Ardisia species in the region.

Notice of the new species was formally published on May 26 in the international botanical taxonomy journal Phytotaxa, said the university’s institute for tropical biology and conservation.

“Ardisia condensiflora was found in a shaded mixed lowland dipterocarp forest and along riverbanks within Tawau Hills Park. Detailed taxonomic and herbarium studies were conducted using specimens loaned from the Sabah Parks Herbarium,” the statement said.

Researchers found that the species has only been recorded in Tawau Hills Park, making it endemic to Sabah.

Based on only two known collection records, the rare species has been given a preliminary conservation assessment of Vulnerable (VU D2).

The assessment follows the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List criteria following the species’ highly restricted distribution, although it has yet to receive an official IUCN listing.

UMS vice-chancellor Kasim Mansor said the discovery showed that much remains to be explored, documented and protected in Sabah’s forests, which he described as being among the world’s most valuable ‘living laboratories’.