Nepenthes

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Nepenthes can also refer to Nepenthe, a drug of forgetfulness mentioned in Greek mythology.

Nepenthes
Upper pitcher of Nepenthes villosa.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Caryophyllales Family: Nepenthaceae Dumort. (1829) Genus: Nepenthes L. (1753)
Diversity
approx. 116 species
Global distribution of Nepenthes.
Species
See below or separate list.
Synonyms
Anurosperma Hallier (1921) Bandura Adans. (1763) Phyllamphora Lour. (1790)

The Nepenthes (IPA pronunciation: /nə.pɛnˈθiz/, from Greek: ne = not, penthos = grief, sorrow; named after the ancient drug Nepenthe), popularly known as Tropical Pitcher Plants or Monkey Cups, are a genus of carnivorous plants in the monotypic family Nepenthaceae that comprises roughly 116 species, numerous natural and many cultivated hybrids. They are vine forming plants of the Old World tropics, ranging from South China, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines; westward to Madagascar (2 species) and the Seychelles (1); southward to Australia (3) and New Caledonia (1); and northward to India (1) and Sri Lanka (1). The greatest diversity occurs on Borneo and Sumatra with many endemic species. Many are plants of hot humid lowland areas, but the majority are tropical montane plants, receiving warm days but cool to cold humid nights year round. A few are considered tropical alpine with cool days and nights near freezing. The name 'Monkey Cups' refers to the fact that monkeys have been observed drinking rainwater from these plants.

Contents 1 Etymology 2 Morphology and function 3 Cultivation 4 Species 5 Hybrids and cultivars 6 See also 7 References 8 External links

[edit] Etymology

The name Nepenthes was first published in 1737 in Carolus Linnaeus's Hortus Cliffortianus.^[1] It references a passage in Homer's Odyssey, in which the potion "Nepenthes pharmakon" is given to Helen by an Egyptian queen. "Nepenthe" literally means "without grief" (ne = not, penthos = grief) and, in Greek mythology, is a drug that quells all sorrows with forgetfulness. Linnaeus explained:

If this is not Helen's Nepenthes, it certainly will be for all botanists. What botanist would not be filled with admiration if, after a long journey, he should find this wonderful plant. In his astonishment past ills would be forgotten when beholding this admirable work of the Creator! [translated from Latin by H. J. Veitch]^[2]

The plant Linnaeus described was Nepenthes distillatoria, a species from Sri Lanka.^[3]

[edit] Morphology and function

The plants usually consist of a shallow root system and a prostrate or climbing stem, often several metres long, and usually 1 cm or less in diameter, although this may be thicker in a few species (e.g. N. bicalcarata). From the stems arise leaf-like expanded petioles, similar to certain Citrus spp., ending in a tendril, which in some species aid in climbing, and at the end of which forms the pitcher, considered the true leaf. The pitcher starts as a small bud and gradually expands to form a globe- or tube-shaped trap.

The trap contains a fluid of the plant's own production, which may be watery or syrupy and is used to drown the prey. The lower part of the trap contains glands which absorb nutrients from captured prey. Along the upper inside part of the trap is a slick waxy coating which makes the escape of its prey nearly impossible. Surrounding the entrance to the trap is a structure called the peristome (the "lip") which is slippery and often quite colorful, attracting prey but offering an unsure footing. Above the peristome is a lid (the operculum): in many species this keeps rain from diluting the fluid within the pitcher, the underside of which may contain nectar glands which attract prey.

Nepenthes usually produce two different types of pitchers. Appearing near the base of the plant are the large lower traps, which typically sit on the ground, while the upper pitchers may be smaller, colored differently, and have different features than the lower pitchers. These upper pitchers usually form as the plant reaches maturity and the plant grows taller. To keep the plant steady, the upper pitchers form a loop in the tendril, allowing it to wrap around nearby support. In some species (e.g. N. rafflesiana) different prey may be attracted by different types of pitchers.

Prey usually consists of insects, but the largest species (N. rajah, N. merrilliana, etc.) may occasionally catch small vertebrates, such as rats and lizards.^[4] Flowers occur in racemes or more rarely in panicles with male and female flowers on separate plants. Seed is produced in a four-sided capsule which may contain 10-60 or more seeds, consisting of a central ovary and two wings, one on either side. Seeds are wind distributed.

[edit] Cultivation

Nepenthes may be cultivated in greenhouses. Easier species include N. alata, N. ventricosa, N. khasiana, and N. sanguinea. These four species are highlanders (N. alata has both lowland and highland forms), some easy lowlander species are N. rafflesiana, N.bicalcarata, N.mirabilis, and N.hirsuta.

"Highlander" forms are those species that grow in habitats that are generally higher up in elevation, and thus exposed to cooler evening temperatures. "Lowlander" forms are those species that grow nearer to sealevel.

Both forms respond best to rainwater (but tap water works as long as you flush it out with rainwater every month), bright light (not full sun), a well drained but moisture holding medium, good air circulation and a relatively high humidity. Highland species must have night-time cooling to thrive in the long-term. Chemical fertilisers are probably best avoided or used at low strength. Occasional feeding with frozen (thawed before use) crickets may be beneficial. Terrarium culture of smaller plants like N. bellii, N. × trichocarpa and N. ampullaria is possible, but most plants will get too large over time.

Plants can be propagated by seed, cuttings, and tissue culture. Seeds may be sown on damp chopped Sphagnum moss, or on sterile plant tissue culture media once they have been properly disinfected. The seeds generally become inviable soon after harvesting, so seed are not usually the preferred method of propagation. A 50:50 mixture of orchid medium with moss or perlite is suitable for germination and culture. Seed may take two months to germinate, and two years or more to yield mature plants. Cuttings may be rooted in damp Sphagnum moss in a plastic bag or tank with high humidity and moderate light. They can begin to root in 1-2 months and start to form pitchers in about six months.

Tissue culture is now used commercially and helps reduce collection of wild plants, as well as making many rare species available to hobbyists at reasonable prices. Nepenthes are considered threatened or endangered plants and are listed in CITES appendices 1 & 2.

[edit] Species

Main article: List of Nepenthes species

Nepenthes adnata Nepenthes adrianii Nepenthes alata Nepenthes albomarginata Nepenthes ampullaria Nepenthes anamensis Nepenthes angasanensis Nepenthes argentii Nepenthes aristolochioides Nepenthes beccariana Nepenthes bellii Nepenthes benstonei Nepenthes bicalcarata Nepenthes bongso Nepenthes boschiana Nepenthes burbidgeae Nepenthes burkei Nepenthes campanulata Nepenthes carunculata Nepenthes chaniana Nepenthes clipeata Nepenthes copelandii Nepenthes danseri Nepenthes deaniana Nepenthes densiflora Nepenthes diatas Nepenthes distillatoria Nepenthes dubia Nepenthes edwardsiana Nepenthes ephippiata Nepenthes eustachya Nepenthes eymae Nepenthes faizaliana Nepenthes fusca Nepenthes glabrata Nepenthes glandulifera Nepenthes globosa Nepenthes gracilis

Nepenthes gracillima Nepenthes gymnamphora Nepenthes hamata Nepenthes hirsuta Nepenthes hispida Nepenthes hurrelliana Nepenthes inermis Nepenthes insignis Nepenthes izumiae Nepenthes jacquelineae Nepenthes jamban Nepenthes junghuhnii Nepenthes khasiana Nepenthes klossii Nepenthes lamii Nepenthes lavicola Nepenthes lingulata Nepenthes longifolia Nepenthes lowii Nepenthes macfarlanei Nepenthes macrophylla Nepenthes macrovulgaris Nepenthes madagascariensis Nepenthes mapuluensis Nepenthes masoalensis Nepenthes maxima Nepenthes merrilliana Nepenthes mikei Nepenthes mindanaoensis Nepenthes mira Nepenthes mirabilis Nepenthes mollis Nepenthes muluensis Nepenthes murudensis Nepenthes naquiyuddinii Nepenthes neoguineensis Nepenthes northiana Nepenthes ovata Nepenthes paniculata

Nepenthes papuana Nepenthes pectinata Nepenthes pervillei Nepenthes petiolata Nepenthes philippinensis Nepenthes pilosa Nepenthes platychila Nepenthes rafflesiana Nepenthes rajah Nepenthes ramispina Nepenthes reinwardtiana Nepenthes rhombicaulis Nepenthes rigidifolia Nepenthes rowanae Nepenthes sanguinea Nepenthes saranganiensis Nepenthes sibuyanensis Nepenthes singalana Nepenthes smilesii Nepenthes spathulata Nepenthes spectabilis Nepenthes stenophylla Nepenthes sumatrana Nepenthes talangensis Nepenthes tenax Nepenthes tentaculata Nepenthes tenuis Nepenthes thorelii Nepenthes tobaica Nepenthes tomoriana Nepenthes treubiana Nepenthes truncata Nepenthes veitchii Nepenthes ventricosa Nepenthes vieillardii Nepenthes villosa Nepenthes vogelii Nepenthes xiphioides Nepenthes zakriana

[edit] Hybrids and cultivars

See also: List of Nepenthes natural hybrids

There are many hybrid Nepenthes and numerous named cultivars. The following are named natural hybrids:

• N. × alisaputrana (N. burbidgeae × N. rajah)
• N. × bauensis (N. gracilis × N. northiana)
• N. × cantleyi (N. bicalcarata × N. gracilis)
• N. × cincta (N. albomarginata × N. northiana)
• N. × ferrugineomarginata (N. albomarginata × N. reinwardtiana)
• N. × ghazallyana (N. gracilis × N. mirabilis)
• N. × harryana (N. edwardsiana × N. villosa)
• N. × hookeriana (N. ampullaria × N. rafflesiana)
• N. × kinabaluensis (N. rajah × N. villosa)
• N. × kuchingensis (N. ampullaria × N. mirabilis)
• N. × merrilliata (N. alata × N. merrilliana)
• N. × mirabilata (N. alata × N. mirabilis)
• N. × pangulubauensis (N. mikei × N. pectinata)
• N. × pyriformis (N. inermis × N. talangensis)
• N. × sarawakiensis (N. muluensis × N. tentaculata)
• N. × trichocarpa (N. ampullaria × N. gracilis)
• N. × truncalata (N. alata × N. truncata)
• N. × trusmadiensis (N. lowii × N. macrophylla)
• N. × tsangoya ((N. alata × N. merrilliana) × N. mirabilis)
• N. × ventrata (N. alata × N. ventricosa)

Some of the more well known artificially produced hybrids include:

• N. 'Coccinea' ((N. rafflesiana × N. ampullaria) × N. mirabilis)
• N. 'Emmarene' (N. khasiana × N. ventricosa)
• N. 'Gentle' (N. fusca × N. maxima)
• N. 'Judith Finn' (N. veitchii × N. spathulata)
• N. 'Miranda' ((N. maxima × N. northiana) × N. maxima)
• N. 'Mixta' (N. northiana × N. maxima)
• N. 'Ventrata' (N. ventricosa × N. alata)

[edit] See also

• Nepenthes classification
• Nepenthes infauna
• Victreebel

[edit] References

• Danser's Monograph on Nepenthes (covers species from Malaysia, Indonesia and New Guinea, but not elsewhere)
• Nepenthaceae in: Watson, L., and M. J. Dallwitz (1992 onwards). The Families of Flowering Plants. Descriptions, Illustrations, Identification, Information Retrieval.

[edit] External links

• The Enduring Controversies Concerning the Process of Protein Digestion in Nepenthes
• Transporters for ammonium, amino acids and peptides are expressed in pitchers of the carnivorous plant Nepenthes
• Botanical Society of America, Nepenthes - the Monkey Cups

v • d • e

Carnivorous plant genera

Aldrovanda • Brocchinia • Byblis • Catopsis • Cephalotus • Darlingtonia • Dionaea • Drosera • Drosophyllum • Genlisea • Heliamphora • Nepenthes • Pinguicula • Roridula • Sarracenia • Triphyophyllum • Utricularia

Protocarnivorous: Capsella • Dipsacus • Geranium • Ibicella • Paepalanthus • Passiflora • Plumbago • Potentilla • Stylidium

Extinct: Archaeamphora • Droserapollis • Droserapites • Droseridites • Fischeripollis • Palaeoaldrovanda • Saxonipollis

See also: List of carnivorous plants