Climate change has dramatically affected the way plants grow.
These changes include the ability of growing endemic coastal plants in the Highlands.
Apples have been grown in Eastern Highlands and most recently in Chimbu. So have coconuts, betel nuts and mustards.
Highlanders mostly go down to coastal cities for the latter three. But they do not have to do that anymore.
A family in Wara Simbu has recently harvested betel nut and mustard at their backyard. The proud family says this would save them time and money from going to the betel nut markets.
Barbara Yegiora said their betel nut tree at the back has produced an abundant supply of nuts; enough for them to share with their wantoks.
"Our betel nut has finally produced some great nuts at our backyard. We were shocked to see the nuts at first,” she said at her Wara Simbu residence where the betel nut garden is located.
She said her betel nut trees were transported up from Lae, Morobe Province, a decade ago.