New Species of Nepenthes Found in Borneo, with Largest Pitchers to Date
canopic jug writes:
EcoWatch has an article about a new species of pitcher plant discovered in mountains of Borneo. The rims are quite dark red. Nepenthes are a tropical vine which generally grow in very acidic soil and have pitchers dangling from the end of their leaves to capture rainfall and insects. [nitrogen]. The pitchers can occur up in the air, rest on the ground, or even be found slightly underground in various species.
The team noted that the leaves of the plant were unique and that there was long red hair covering the pitcher that was almost the same color as that of the orangutans who live in the area, leading them to name the novel species Nepenthes pongoides, or "resembling orangutan."
After subsequent research, the team discovered that the plant was the largest pitcher that had ever been identified.
See also the full-text, open access article, Sabah's hidden giant: Nepenthes pongoides (Nepenthaceae), a micro-endemic tropical pitcher plant from northern Borneo, in the Australian Journal of Botany.
Apparently the orangutans are quite red there.
Previously:
(2023) Some Carnivorous Plants Evolved Into Toilets And Are Now Winning at Life
[Editor's Comment: Minor correction to content--JR]
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