Alfindra Primaldhi · CC BY 2.0
About
A striking tropical pitcher plant, *Nepenthes pitopangii*, is notable for its distinct pitcher morphology and its ability to transition from a rosette stage into a scrambling vine. The species is endemic to Sulawesi, Indonesia, and was first formally described based on a collection from Lore Lindu National Park.
Field notes
Morphology
The plant can form large, branched stems up to 7 m long. Leaves are sessile, linear to lanceolate, measuring up to 15.6 cm by 3.4 cm, with a green lamina and midrib/tendril ranging from green to red. Lower pitchers are ovate and slightly swollen in the basal half, becoming cylindrical towards the mouth, measuring up to 6 cm high by 3 cm wide. They feature a pair of ventral wings (≤6 mm wide) and a cylindrical peristome up to 5 mm wide, bearing ribs up to 0.5 mm high. The lid is elliptic or sub-orbicular (up to 3.5 cm by 3 cm) and lacks appendages. Upper pitchers are smaller (up to 4.5 cm by 3.7 cm), narrowing below the orifice, with reduced ventral wings (ribs) and a cylindrical peristome up to 3 mm wide, completely lacking teeth. The inflorescence is racemose, measuring up to 37 cm long.
Distribution & habitat
Endemic to the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, specifically found in Lore Lindu National Park and the Minahassa Peninsula.
Ecology
The species produces pitchers with conspicuous bands of black dots of digestive glands around the waterline. It does not appear to possess the highly viscous pitcher fluid of some related species.
History & etymology
Discovered by Jonathan Newman in Lore Lindu National Park, Central Sulawesi, in September 2006. The holotype was collected by Rahmadanil Pitopang on May 30, 2007. The formal description was published in the October 2009 issue of The Gardens' Bulletin Singapore.
Habitat
- Altitude
- 1,400–1,800 m
- Altitude Class
- highland
- Native To
- Sulawesi, Indonesia
- IUCN Status
- Vulnerable
Taxonomy
- Described
- 2009
- Authority
- Chi.C.Lee, S.McPherson, Bourke & M.Mansur
Cultivation
- Difficulty
- intermediate
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