Nepenthes
(Tropical Pitcher Plant)
Trapping Mechanism: Pitfall trap
Feeds on: Insects, arachnids, mice, frogs, birds
Description
Nepenthes, otherwise known as Tropical Pitcher Plants or "Monkey Cups," are a genus of carnivorous plants with pitfall traps. There are about 130 species of Pitcher Plants that are widespread. These plants can be found in China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Madagascar, Seychelles, Australia, India, Borneo and Sumatra. The nickname “Monkey Cups” originates from monkeys having been observed drinking rain water from them.
Most species of Pitcher Plants are tall creepers (10-15 m) with a shallow root system. From the stem you will often see sword-like leaves growing with a tendril protruding from the tip of the leaf. At the end of the tendril, the pitcher first forms as a small bulb and then expands and forms the cup.
Pitcher Plants have long tube-shaped leaves into which insects fall. Sophisticated chemistry helps make the pitcher a death trap. Many Pitcher Plants produce nectar that both lures insects and forms a slick surface on which they are unable to grip. Insects lands on the rim of the Pitcher Plant, hydroplane on the liquid, and tumble in. The pitcher contains a gooey fluid used to drown and digest the insects. If an insect lifts its leg to escape, the fluid holds on tenaciously. The lower part of the cup contains glands that absorb and distribute nutrients from the digested insect throughout the plant. Most of these plants are small and tend to trap only insects, but some larger species, such as Nepenthes Rafflesiana and Nepenthes Rajah, have been documented to catch small mammals like rats.
Size
4 in. to 24 in. tall
Interesting Fact
The nickname “Monkey Cups” comes from the fact that monkeys have often been observed drinking rain water from them.
Habitat
China, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Madagascar, Australia, India, Seychelles, Borneo and Sumatra.
Fluorescence Emissions: Yes
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