Stewart McPherson · CC BY-SA 3.0
About
A notable lowland species, *Nepenthes tenax* is distinguished by its upright, self-supporting growth habit, which allows its pitchers to remain erect even in open areas. It is native to the swamps and floodplains of northern Queensland, Australia.
Field notes
Morphology
The plant is a shrubby carnivorous species with cylindrical stems up to 0.5 metres long. It produces two types of pitchers: small, ovoid to funnel-shaped rosette pitchers (up to 55 mm tall) and larger, purely funnel-shaped aerial pitchers (up to 110 mm tall). Both pitcher types share a round, oblique mouth surrounded by a rigid, ribbed peristome and a lid that extends beyond the mouth's width. The plant also produces racemes of small flowers up to 160 mm long.
Distribution & habitat
Restricted to the lower levels of swamps and floodplains surrounding the Jardine River on the northern Cape York peninsula, Queensland, Australia. It prefers open sandy substrates or saturated wetlands.
History & etymology
Described as a new species in 2006 by Charles Clarke and Rodney Kruger. The specific epithet tenax comes from the Latin word meaning "tenacious," referring to the plant's ability to produce upright stems and pitchers that remain erect in open areas despite strong winds and without support from surrounding vegetation.
Conservation
The species is assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN due to its abundant and stable populations within its native range. It is listed under CITES Appendix II, regulating international trade, and many subpopulations are protected within Apudthama National Park.
Habitat
- Altitude
- 0–80 m
- Altitude Class
- lowland
- Native To
- Australia
- IUCN Status
- Least Concern
Taxonomy
- Described
- 2006
- Authority
- C.Clarke & R.Kruger
Cultivation
- Difficulty
- intermediate
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