A metal-eating plant has been recently discovered in the Philippines! This is more than unusual because while majority of plants and organisms are intoxicated by exposure to nickel, this plant can devour nickel and therefore even grow and thrive. This "bizarre life form", as referenced by the Tech Times, was discovered by the researchers from the University of the Philippines. This "bizarre life form" was coined as Rinorea niccolifera, which can accumulate nickel concentration unto 18,000 parts per million in their leaves, without showing "any toxic side effects". The research has also shown that this is 1,000 times more than what other plants can store and this special feature is only found in one percent of the entire plant species. 

Another plant that can consume nickel and other forms of metal, such as calcium and zinc, is located in China. It is a genus of herb that is very common in China and is called, Thlaspi .he plant species, located in regions around Minas Gerais, Brazil, can consume large amount of zinc. The consumption of large amount of metal forms not only is an unusual behaviour of plants, but also plays a crucial role in cleaning up pollution released from mining industries. This is indeed very sustainable in that the plants provide a "natural way of cleaning" up pollution. This can therefore result in less technologies and machineries to operate to reduce air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, planting these plants provides an ingenious way to clean up the environment in a more sustainable manner.

However, there may be some drawbacks and challenges associated with planting these plants. As of now, the research has shown that these plant species are very dependent on their native and local environment, therefore is very difficult to transfer these plants to other regions besides their native habitat. Moving these plants to places besides their native habitat may therefore by costly. Also, U.S. Department of Agriculture has warned that long-term or even high-level exposure to metals can cause health problems in humans. Plants that absorb metals can spread toxins in edible parts, which can harm people as they consume them.

Nevertheless, it is inevitable to accept the fact that these plants are one of the most endangered species in the Philippines. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, due to the mining threat to the plant's "tiny range", the botanists included this plant under the Red List ranking system. Solutions to preserving this plant species is a key issue and question that needs to be addressed, which still remains unanswered.