A rare tiny orchid, no bigger than a thumb, has been recorded for the first time in the Philippines in a forest within the mining tenement of Cagdianao Mining Corporation (CMC)* in Dinagat Islands.
Corybas pictus, a species of helmet orchid, was documented in the Luksuhan area during CMC’s 2025 Aquatic and Terrestrial Biodiversity Assessment, conducted by third-party environmental consultancy BIOTOPE Environmental Consultancy Services.
The finding marks a new country record, meaning Corybas pictus had not previously been documented in the Philippines. The species is native to Malaysia, Java, Sumatra, and Borneo. It is highly sought after by rare plant collectors, terrarium hobbyists, and jewel orchid enthusiasts.
Corybas pictus is a small terrestrial orchid with a single, heart-shaped leaf marked by silver to white veins. It produces a solitary, hood-shaped flower measuring about 2 centimetres across. The flower has a distinctive deep reddish-brown hue contrasted by a white labellum, giving it the helmet-like appearance from which the species gets its common name. The species thrives in humid environments and is commonly found in rainforest habitats.
“The recording of Corybas pictus in Luksuhan shows the value of active monitoring and protection of the natural forest areas within our Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA). Biodiversity assessments give us a better understanding of the species and habitats in these areas and help guide our rehabilitation and environmental management efforts,” said Junmar Hayo, Mine Environment Protection and Enhancement Officer (MEPEO) of CMC.
The orchid was found in Luksuhan, one of two natural forest sites surveyed within CMC’s mining tenement, alongside Maraguing. A total of 274 species from 91 families were recorded across the three sampling sites.
Of the recorded species, 92 were identified as Philippine endemics, or plants found naturally only in the Philippines. The assessment also identified 39 threatened and endemic plants such as Shorea polysperma, Terminalia surigaensis, Xanthostemon verdugonianus, and Tristaniopsis decorticata.
CMC conducts biodiversity monitoring every two years to track the condition of terrestrial flora within its mining tenement. The findings help guide the company’s environmental management initiatives and rehabilitation planning.
The assessment also covered CMC’s rehabilitation areas, including Areas 3 and 6, where native tree species have been replanted. The 2025 assessment found that continued reforestation and habitat restoration have contributed to improved habitat conditions for amphibians and reptiles.
“This adds to our growing record of biodiversity in CMC’s mining areas and reinforces the importance of regular monitoring in guiding our conservation and rehabilitation efforts,” said Christian Gascon, CMC Resident Mine Manager.
*CMC is a subsidiary of Nickel Asia Corporation (NAC).
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