Sabah: Sabah proudly hosts the world's first Nickel Botanical Garden, situated at the Monggis Ranau Substation, approximately 150 kilometers from the city. The one-hectare garden forms part of Kinabalu Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is an exceptional destination for those interested in botany and conservation.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Head of the Hyperaccumulator Garden Project at Sabah Parks, botanist Sukaibin Sumail, revealed that the garden harbors 12 species of nickel-accumulating plants that are considered rare not only in Sabah but also globally. Among these are Phyllanthus rufuschaneyi, Phyllanthus balgooyi, Actephila alanbakeri, Rinorea bengalensis, and Mischocarpus sundaicus, to name a few.
Sukaibin explained that hyperaccumulation refers to the natural capacity of certain plants to absorb metals from the soil, including nickel, which in excessive amounts can be toxic. Nickel itself is a widely abundant metal on Earth, essential in stainless steel production and electric vehicle batteries.
Officially opened on June 14, 2014, the Nickel Botanical Garden serves as an arboretum-a dedicated area for planting and maintaining various tree species for scientific research, conservation, education, and recreation. The garden also aims to raise awareness about the ecological roles and potential applications of nickel-accumulating plants.
Sukaibin highlighted Xylosma Luzonensis as an example, noting its potential for landscaping and erosion control, despite lacking pharmaceutical applications. Sabah Parks has been introducing this plant to students through educational programs.
While studies are ongoing to understand how these plants absorb nickel, it is known that they contain chemical compounds like flavonoids and terpenoids. Despite this, nickel's presence poses risks to living organisms, necessitating careful management and conservation efforts at the Monggis Substation arboretum.
Xylosma Luzonensis was also showcased at the Borneo Flora Festival in Labuan, where its nickel presence was demonstrated using special paper that turned pink upon contact with the leaves. Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, witnessed and participated in the demonstration during the event.
Efforts to protect the species continue, with involvement from institutions like Universiti Teknologi Mara in planting initiatives, though its economic and medicinal potentials remain largely unexplored.