About
A notable endemic species, *Nepenthes calcicola* is distinguished from related species by its unique growth habit, featuring rosettes of leaves and erect, sometimes half-buried pitchers. It is found exclusively on limestone karsts in Papua New Guinea.
Field notes
Morphology
The species has a stem that grows beneath the leaf litter, forming rosettes of leaves that produce erect pitchers sometimes half-buried in the litter. It also features a much shorter stem, a terete and recurved spur, and a female inflorescence peduncle measuring 160–190 mm by 3–4 mm, with obovate to broadly obovate tepals.
Distribution & habitat
Endemic to the limestone karsts on the tributary of Purari River, the Mua River, located in the Gulf Province of Papua New Guinea, at an elevation of 250–270 meters.
Ecology
The species traps various invertebrates, including species of ants, cockroaches, snails and slugs, and katydids, within its terrestrial and intermediate pitchers. It prefers humus-rich clay loam soil with a well-developed leaf litter layer up to 20 cm deep.
History & etymology
The specific epithet refers to the calcareous habitat in which the species grows.
Conservation
Assessed as Vulnerable by IUCN criteria, with populations known only from two sites, 1 km apart, containing fewer than 1000 individuals.
Habitat
- Altitude
- 250–270 m
- Altitude Class
- lowland
- Native To
- Papua New Guinea
- IUCN Status
- Vulnerable
Taxonomy
- Described
- 2023
- Authority
- Gary W.Wilson, S.Venter & Damas
Cultivation
- Difficulty
- intermediate
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