Nepenthes jamban and Nepenthes lingulata

[BarryRice]

Hey Folks,

Ch'ien Lee was kind enough to send to me a copy of his paper (Two new species of Nepenthes (Nepenthaceae) from north Sumatra. Lee, C.C., Hernawati, and Akriadi, P. 2006. Blumea 51, 561-568.).

This paper describes two new species, both highland Sumatran endemics.

Nepenthes jamban looks very much like N. jacquelineae but without the bizarrely broad peristome.

Nepenthes lingulata is rather like N. izumiae but is differentiated by a long, tongue-like process that hangs down from the base of the lid. This is like an exaggerated glandular ridge, as seen in N. maxima. The authors speculate the organ may function as a nectary site that attracts arthropods to a very dangerous place, directly over the pitcher opening.

It was refreshing to read this paper, as we've seen such dubious species recently being published. I'm glad to see that real science can actually be done in the genus.

Cheers

Barry

[Clint]

Hi Barry. Can you confirm or deny if N. lingulata is hirsute? From the one picture I've seen, it looks like the pitchers at least are covered by velvet-like trichomes, similar to but more so than N. albomarginata.

[jm82792]

Why do nepenthes like Jamban cost so much is it cultivation,
propogation or just plain rare?

[BarryRice]

justlikeapill said:

Hi Barry. Can you confirm or deny if N. lingulata is hirsute? From the one picture I've seen, it looks like the pitchers at least are covered by velvet-like trichomes, similar to but more so than N. albomarginata.

The species description says:

Indumentum: All parts of the plant glabrous except for developing pitchers, tendrils and inflorescence which are densely covered with short brownish grey hairs.

Note: this posting is incorrect. See Ch'ien Lee's correction below!

[BarryRice]

jm82792 said:

Why do nepenthes like Jamban cost so much is it cultivation,
propogation or just plain rare?

Any plant that is new to cultivation is in very low supply, and also may be in extreme demand by the most voracious of collectors. That means that, for at least a limited time, the plant can command a very high price. However, within just a few years the price will drop as primary sources sell the plants to growers, who start trading propagules.

[jm82792]

So an easy just discoverd grower will go
down to a low price and may even be found at
your local garden center Just kidding but the
prices will come down in theory

[cclborneo]

Hi Barry,

Thanks for the kind comments on the manuscript!

Actually you listed the description of the indumentum for N. jamban. For N. lingulata (p. 567), the indumentum is quite different:

Indumentum consisting of very dense long woolly grey-brown depressed hairs on the immature tendrils and outer surface of the pitcher, being caducous on the margins of the leaves; upper surface of lid and margins of lower surface of lid with scattered grey-brown stellate hairs.

Best regards,
Ch'ien

[BarryRice]

Oops! Heh heh heh. Thanks for the correction!

Barry

[Michael]

Hello Barry and Ch'ien, I found an on-line copy of Ch'ien's article being discussed above--just in case anyone else would like to read and join in...

www.ingentaconnect.com/content/nhn/blumea/2006/00000051/00000003/art00007

Happy Trails, Mike

[Sockhom]

Thanks Michael.

Two fascinating species, indeed.


François.