Filipino scientists discovered a unique plant species on Luzon Island in the Philippines called Rinorea niccolifera, which is classified as a nickel hyperaccumulator.

This plant can absorb and store up to 18,000 parts per million (ppm) of nickel in its tissues — approximately 1.8% of its dry weight — without suffering damage. This makes it part of a rare and scientifically valuable group of plants.

The discovery was formally documented in the journal Phytotaxa by researchers from the University of the Philippines and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Its capability is crucial for the field of phytoremediation, an eco-friendly method that uses plants to remove heavy metals from polluted soils, especially in regions affected by mining activities.

Moreover, Rinorea niccolifera opens opportunities for agromining, or the harvesting of commercially valuable metals directly from plants.

This method is seen as a cleaner alternative to traditional mining, potentially allowing for both soil restoration and economic gain.

In the lush forests of Luzon Island, scientists discovered Rinorea niccolifera—a rare plant that thrives in nickel-rich soil by absorbing toxic metals at concentrations up to 18,000 ppm. As a hyperaccumulator, it plays a powerful role in phytoremediation, offering a sustainable way to detoxify lands damaged by mining.

This Philippine native isn’t just a scientific marvel; it could enable eco-friendly nickel extraction (agromining), reduce industrial soil pollution, and restore ecosystems with minimal environmental disruption.

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