ma_suska · CC BY 2.0
About
A notable tropical pitcher plant, *Nepenthes beccariana* is characterized by its large, cylindrical upper pitchers and robust, elliptic-lanceolate leaves. It is closely related to *N. longifolia* and *N. sumatrana*, making its taxonomy complex.
Field notes
Morphology
The stem is glabrous and 10 to 12 mm wide. Leaves are subcoriaceous and petiolate, with blades that are elliptic-lanceolate to obovate, reaching up to 40 cm long by 9 cm wide. The petiole is 7 to 10 cm long and winged. Rosette and lower pitchers measure up to 18 cm long by 5 cm wide, featuring a peristome up to 15 mm wide and an ovate-cordate operculum. The cylindrical upper pitchers are significantly larger, growing to 30 cm high by 6 cm wide.
Distribution & habitat
The type locality is the island of Nias, located off the western coast of Sumatra. Similar, unidentified taxa grow along the road from Sibolga to Tarutung in North Sumatra.
History & etymology
The species was formally described by John Muirhead Macfarlane in his 1908 monograph, 'Nepenthaceae', named in honor of Italian naturalist Odoardo Beccari. The type specimen was collected by Elio Modigliani during an 1886 expedition to Nias.
Habitat
- Altitude
- 0–800 m
- Altitude Class
- lowland
- Native To
- Indonesia
- IUCN Status
- Data Deficient
Taxonomy
- Described
- 1908
- Authority
- Macfarl.
Cultivation
- Difficulty
- intermediate
- Temperature
- Day 28–35°C / Night 20–28°C
- Humidity
- 70–90%
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