The Department of National Parks revealed good news with the discovery of the "Hairy Tiger Ear," a rare plant missing for over 130 years, found on limestone cliffs in the Phang Nga-Khao Sok area.
On 3 Jan 2026 GMT+7, it was reported that yesterday (2 Jan), Mr. Atthaphon Charoenchansa, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, announced a global conservation breakthrough after researchers rediscovered the "Hairy Tiger Ear" plant, once thought extinct for over 130 years, with populations found again in limestone ecosystems in Phang Nga and Surat Thani provinces.
The "Hairy Tiger Ear," currently known botanically as Coleus tomentifolius (Suddee), was first discovered by British botanist Mr. Curtis in 1896 in Phang Nga. Since then, no sightings were reported in the wild until 2004, when the species was formally described as new to science based on a single dried specimen preserved in Singapore’s herbarium.
Recently, under the limestone ecosystem plant diversity research project by the Forest Botany Division of the Forest Conservation and Plant Research Office, led by Ms. Naina Tesna, a senior forestry researcher, the team conducted boat surveys along the limestone cliffs at Ratchaprapha Dam in Khao Sok National Park and continued to Ao Phang Nga National Park during 2024-2025.
During this survey, the team found a small shrub clinging to steep, hard-to-reach cliffs, requiring tools to collect samples for detailed examination. The results confirmed it was the "Hairy Tiger Ear," a plant long sought after by botanists worldwide for over a century.
This discovery not only confirms that the "Hairy Tiger Ear" has not gone extinct but also highlights the richness of Thailand’s limestone ecosystems. The Department plans to advance research on conservation, propagation, and investigating its benefits for sustainable use.
The Hairy Tiger Ear (formerly Plectranthus tomentifolius) is a small perennial or shrub with succulent stems and densely hairy leaves on both sides. It bears beautiful white to pinkish flowers in clusters at the tips. It has recently been reclassified into the genus Coleus based on phylogenetic studies.
This find is a significant milestone for Thai botany and provides crucial data for conservation and sustainable utilization planning. The Department of National Parks confirms it will continue to survey and protect habitats of such rare plants to preserve Thailand’s biodiversity for future generations.
. [Source: Facebook page]Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation