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About
Nepenthes veitchii, or Veitch's pitcher-plant, is a species of pitcher plant native to the island of Borneo. It is known for its striking pitchers and is considered a true epiphyte, though terrestrial forms exist.
Field notes
Morphology
The plant is described as having a distichous habit, meaning its leaves are arranged in two rows. The pitchers are notable for their rich orange color and vertical position, with the mouth being a conspicuous feature. Some specimens have been measured to be quite ten inches in length.
Distribution & habitat
It is widespread across north-western Borneo and can also be found in parts of Kalimantan. It thrives in lowland Dipterocarp forest, typically near rivers, and on ridgetops in mossy forests. Its elevation range is broad, spanning from 0 to 1,600 meters.
Ecology
The pitchers function as perfect traps, using their bright colors to entice insects into the interior. The mouth structure has been compared to the gills of a fish, suggesting a specialized trapping mechanism. The source does not detail specific prey capture mechanisms or mutualisms.
History & etymology
The species was first found by Odoardo Beccari on the top of Mount Santubong in 1865. It was named after James Veitch, a nurseryman of the Veitch Nurseries. Early descriptions noted its unique habit of growing as a true epiphyte, sometimes clasping around tree trunks.
Habitat
- Altitude
- 0–1,600 m
- Altitude Class
- intermediate
- Native To
- Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia
- IUCN Status
- Least Concern
Taxonomy
- Described
- 1859
- Authority
- Hook.f.
Cultivation
- Difficulty
- intermediate
- Temperature
- Day 22–30°C / Night 15–22°C
- Humidity
- 70–90%
In My Collection 7 plants
Borneo Exotics 20 listings
View all →BE-4087
N. veitchii - intermediate - assorted clones
BE-3734
N. veitchii - Bario Highland - grex # 1
BE-4033
N. veitchii - Bario Highland - grex # 2
BE-4565
N. aristolochioides x veitchii - assorted clones
BE-3723
N. burbidgeae x veitchii
BE-3137
N. chaniana x veitchii - best selected clone
BE-3689
N. glandulifera x veitchii - assorted clones
BE-3943
N. hamata x veitchii - assorted clones
BE-4632
N. klossii x veitchii
BE-4047
N. petiolata x veitchii - assorted clones
BE-3730
N. rajah x veitchii – assorted clones
BE-3700
N. robcantleyi x veitchii - assorted clones
BE-3648
N. spathulata x veitchii
BE-3664
WIP N. spectabilis x veitchii - assorted clones
BE-3696
N. veitchii x mira - assorted clones
BE-3213
N. veitchii x platychila – selected clones
BE-4678
N. {[(lowii x veitchii) x boschiana] x [(veitchii x maxima) x veitchii]} x edwardsiana - clone # 3
BE-4578
N. rajah x veitchii 'Gold Rush' – assorted clones
BE-4635
N. (veitchii x lowii) x burbidgeae - assorted clones
BE-4563
N. glabrata x veitchii - assorted clones
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