Nepenthes peltata, Philippines

[BarryRice]

Hey Folks,

I noticed that in the Journal of the Insectivorous Plant Society (2008, 59(1): 12-17), there is an English-language article by Kurata describing the new species Nepenthes peltata, a Philippine species from Mindanao. The habitat is described as submontane, Mount Hamiguitan Range, so I suspect this is a highlander although the paper is not entirely specific on this point.

The type description is based upon cultivated material. The plant is characterised most notably by a peltate leaf tip, an obovoid pitcher with a hip-line below the mouth, and large nectar glands.

The authors note that some photographs of the plant are on flickr, although incorrectly identified as N. mira. The url given is

www.flickr.com/photos/7791651@N07/tags/nepenthaceae/

but you may have to cut/paste the character string above to complete the hyperlink. The images are still present as of this moment.

[Sockhom]

Thanks Barry.
I remember those pictures. I hope to get my hands on Kurata article soon.


François.

[Clint]

I'm a real sucker for any plant with a peltate tendril insertion, regardless of what the pitchers look like. I hope this plant becomes commercially available sometime soon! Not only is it peltate, but it's got two other qualities I highly value. It's hirsute and shows good color in it's leaves when in high light! I may have just found a new favorite Nepenthes.

Maybe nature will be kind to those of us in warm climates and throw us a bone this time Hopefully it won't be found too high up the mountain (or will be adaptable!) Keep your fingers crossed! Peaklist.org states that the top elevation of Mt. Hamiguitan is is 1620 meters, and the prominence is 1497 meters.