François MEY · CC BY 3.0
About
A notable climbing plant, *Nepenthes smilesii* is characterized by its very narrowly linear, leathery leaves and its ability to tolerate extended dry seasons, making it a resilient species in the Indochinese region.
Field notes
Morphology
The leaves are sessile and coriaceous (leathery) in texture, reaching up to 40 cm in length while only up to 4 cm wide. The plant is a climbing species that can grow to a height of 5 m.
Distribution & habitat
Native to northeastern Thailand, southern Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, with a wide range of altitudes recorded from 16–1,500 m, though it is typically found around 800 m.
History & etymology
The specific epithet smilesii refers to plant collector Frederick Henry Smiles, who made the first known collection of this species.
Conservation
Its conservation status appears as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List.
Habitat
- Altitude
- 0–1,500 m
- Altitude Class
- intermediate
- Native To
- Thailand, Vietnam
- IUCN Status
- Least Concern
Taxonomy
- Described
- 1895
- Authority
- Hemsl.
Cultivation
- Difficulty
- intermediate
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