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Nepenthes

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Feb 28, 2008 | 6:53 PM PST
Tag: Nepenthes
Are there any nepenthes experts, lovers, growers out there?

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bsmitch	Feb 28, 2008 \| 11:15 PM PST Nepenthes plants are clambering vines with (usually) long and somewhat unremarkable sword-shaped leaves. At the tip of each leaf is a tendril that often has a little looping twist in it. This twist lets the plant hang onto surrounding vegetation for support. The tendril is tipped by a pitcher---the carnivorous pitfall trap. The details of the Nepenthes pitchers naturally varies with species. But the general plan is a watertight pitcher with slippery walls that are very difficult for prey to scale once they have fallen inside. The mouth of the pitcher is adorned with a ribbed structure called a peristome. This peristome helps retain prey, and also conducts prey into the pitcher. A pitcher lid hangs over the pitcher opening. This may help keep rain out of the pitcher, but I think its primary function is to attract prey by its attractive coloration and nectar glands. Prey hanging onto the underside of the lid are in extreme danger of plummeting into the pitcher! The hillbilly

bsmitch

Feb 28, 2008 | 11:15 PM PST
Nepenthes plants are clambering vines with (usually) long and somewhat unremarkable sword-shaped leaves. At the tip of each leaf is a tendril that often has a little looping twist in it. This twist lets the plant hang onto surrounding vegetation for support. The tendril is tipped by a pitcher---the carnivorous pitfall trap.

The details of the Nepenthes pitchers naturally varies with species. But the general plan is a watertight pitcher with slippery walls that are very difficult for prey to scale once they have fallen inside. The mouth of the pitcher is adorned with a ribbed structure called a peristome. This peristome helps retain prey, and also conducts prey into the pitcher. A pitcher lid hangs over the pitcher opening. This may help keep rain out of the pitcher, but I think its primary function is to attract prey by its attractive coloration and nectar glands. Prey hanging onto the underside of the lid are in extreme danger of plummeting into the pitcher!

The hillbilly

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