Nepenthes jamban

Last updated

Contents

Nepenthes jamban
Nepenthesjamban6.jpg
Intermediate pitchers of N. jamban
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Nepenthaceae
Genus: Nepenthes
Species:
N. jamban
Binomial name
Nepenthes jamban

Nepenthes jamban ( /nɪˈpɛnθiːzˈdʒʌmbən/ ni-PEN-theez JUM-bən, not * /ˈdʒæmbən/ JAM-bən) is a tropical pitcher plant endemic to northern Sumatra. The specific epithet jamban is the Indonesian word for "toilet" and refers to the shape of the pitchers. [1]

Botanical history

Nepenthes jamban was discovered during a series of field trips to Sumatra between 2004 and 2005. The species was first collected on April 22, 2005, south of Padang Sidempuan in the Indonesian province of North Sumatra. [1]

The formal description of N. jamban was published in 2006 in the botanical journal Blumea . [note a] The herbarium specimen Lee, Hernawati, Akhriadi NP 433 was designated as the holotype. It is deposited at the Herbarium of Andalas University (ANDA). [1]

Description

Nepenthes jamban is a climbing plant. The stem, which is usually less than 5 mm thick, grows to 4 m in length and is cylindrical-angular in cross section. Internodes are up to 5 cm long. [1]

Leaves are sessile and coriaceous in texture. The lamina may be narrowly obovate to elliptic or slightly spathulate, and grows to 11 cm in length and 3.3 cm in width. One or two longitudinal veins are present on either side of the midrib together with numerous pinnate veins. Tendrils are up to 24 cm long. [1]

A young plant with lower pitchers N. jamban17.jpg
A young plant with lower pitchers

Rosette and lower pitchers are cylindrical to narrowly infundibular in the lower third, becoming widely infundibular above. They are relatively small, rarely exceeding 5.8 cm in height and 4.4 cm in width. Fringed wings (≤2 mm wide) are usually present in terrestrial pitchers. The pitcher mouth is almost horizontal. The inner surface of the pitchers is glandular throughout. The flattened peristome may be up to 8 mm wide and is lined with a series of teeth (≤0.5 mm long) on its inner margin. The lid or operculum is narrowly obovate, and up to 3.8 cm long and 1.3 cm wide. The undersurface of the lid bears scattered small red glands that are concentrated around the midrib. Around 20 to 30 very large crater-like glands (≤0.5 mm wide) are present in the apical quarter. These glands are so large that they are visible as swellings on the upper surface of the lid. The spur (≤4 mm long) is inserted at the base of the lid. It is generally unbranched but may be forked. [1]

Nepenthesjamban3.jpg
N. jamban1.jpg
An intermediate pitcher (left) and an upper pitcher (right)

Upper pitchers are circular in cross section and widely infundibular in their upper half. They are much larger than lower pitchers, reaching 12 cm in height and 5.2 cm in width. The pitcher mouth is horizontal and orbicular. As in lower pitchers, the inner surface of the pitchers is wholly glandular. Wings are reduced to ribs that run down the front of the pitcher. In aerial pitchers, the flattened peristome is up 6 mm wide and bears more prominent teeth (≤1 mm long). The spur is usually simple and grows to 3.5 mm in length. Compared to lower pitchers, the lid in upper pitchers is similar in shape but longer, reaching 4.8 cm in length and 0.9 cm in width. It is held over the pitcher mouth at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. [1]

Nepenthes jamban has a racemose inflorescence. In male plants, the inflorescence may be up to 18 cm long. The female inflorescence has not been described. The rachis is up to 11.5 cm long, while the peduncle is up to 6.5 cm long. Pedicels are up to 1.4 cm long and bear a single flower. Sepals are elliptical and around 3.5 mm long. Mature fruits are up to 3 cm long and 6 mm wide. Seeds are filiform and around 2 cm long. [1]

Most parts of the plant are glabrous. Developing pitchers, tendrils, and inflorescences are densely covered with short brownish-grey hairs. [1]

The stem is characteristically purplish red. The leaves and inflorescence are light green to pale green. Lower pitchers range in colour from yellowish orange to bright red throughout. Upper pitchers are generally bright yellow with a yellow to orange peristome, and may be occasionally speckled on their inner surfaces. [1]

Ecology

Nepenthes jamban is endemic to the Barisan Mountains that line the western side of Sumatra. It is known only from the type locality, south of Padang Sidempuan in North Sumatra. [1] The species has an altitudinal distribution of 1800–2100 m above sea level. [2] [3]

Nepenthes jamban grows in upper montane mossy forest amongst summit scrub vegetation. Unlike the closely related N. jacquelineae , it only occurs terrestrially. [1]

In the wild, N. jamban occurs sympatrically with N. bongso , N. dubia , N. gymnamphora , and N. lingulata . [1] A natural hybrid with N. lingulata has been recorded. [3]

N. jamban7.jpg
N. jamban15.jpg
N. jamban and N. lingulata2.jpg
N. jamban and N. lingulata.jpg
Nepenthes jamban growing among ridgetop vegetation (left and left middle) and sympatric lower pitchers (right middle) and upper pitchers (right) of N. jamban and N. lingulata in upper montane forest

Carnivory

The upper pitchers of N. jamban have been noted for trapping many large prey items, such as wasps and crickets, and relatively few small animals. The traps of this species also support large populations of pitcher infauna, particularly mosquito larvae. [1]

Nepenthes jamban produces thick, mucilaginous pitcher liquid similar to that found in related species such as N. inermis . The pitchers of N. inermis function not only as pitfall traps but also as flypaper traps, with the sticky inner walls trapping flying insects above the surface of the fluid. [4] A similar trapping method may be employed by N. jamban.

Unlike N. jacquelineae, N. jamban has only one-flowered pedicels N. jamban8.jpg
Unlike N. jacquelineae, N. jamban has only one-flowered pedicels

Nepenthes jamban belongs to a group of related Sumatran species that includes N. dubia , N. inermis , N. jacquelineae , and N. tenuis . It shares with these species features such as infundibulate pitchers which are wholly glandular on their inner surfaces, bracteate inflorescences, and sessile leaves. All of these Nepenthes produce very viscous pitcher fluid. [1]

Nepenthes jamban is thought to be most closely related to N. jacquelineae . Both taxa have a narrow lid and massive nectar glands, a trait unique to these two species. However, the glands of N. jacquelineae may be even larger (≤1.5 mm wide). [4] In addition, the two species can be easily distinguished on the basis of peristome morphology and floral characteristics. N. jamban is not as robust as N. jacquelineae and lacks the greatly expanded peristome that is so characteristic of that species. Furthermore, N. jamban differs in having longer and one-flowered partial peduncles, and a narrower lid. [1]

Natural hybrids

A lower pitcher of N. jamban x N. lingulata Nepenthes jamban x Nepenthes lingulata.jpg
A lower pitcher of N. jamban × N. lingulata

A natural hybrid involving N. jamban and N. lingulata has been recorded. [3] In 2009, Adrian Y. Wartono observed a putative cross between N. dubia and N. jamban in an area where these two species grew with N. lingulata and N. rhombicaulis . [5]

Notes

a. ^ The original Latin description of N. jamban reads: [1]

N. jacquelineae simile sed peristomii operculo valde porcato neque lato expanso, ascidii super valde abrupte infundibuliformibun et pedicellis in toto uniflorius differt. — Typus: Lee, Hernawati, Akhriadi NP 433 (ANDA), Indonesia, Sumatera Utara, Bukit Barisan, south of Padang Sidempuan, 22 April 2005.

Related Research Articles

<i>Nepenthes spathulata</i> Species of pitcher plant from Indonesia

Nepenthes spathulata is a tropical pitcher plant native to Java and Sumatra, where it grows at elevations of between 1100 and 2900 m above sea level. The specific epithet spathulata is derived from the Latin word spathulatus, meaning "spatula shaped", and refers to the shape of the lamina.

<i>Nepenthes aristolochioides</i> Species of pitcher plant from Sumatra

Nepenthes aristolochioides is a tropical pitcher plant endemic to Sumatra, where it grows at elevations of 1800–2500 m above sea level. It has an extremely unusual pitcher morphology, having an almost vertical opening to its traps. It is critically endangered by overcollection.

<i>Nepenthes eymae</i> Species of pitcher plant from Sulawesi

Nepenthes eymae is a tropical pitcher plant endemic to Sulawesi in Indonesia, where it grows at elevations of 1,000–2,000 m (3,300–6,600 ft) above sea level. It is very closely related to N. maxima, from which it differs in its wine glass-shaped upper pitchers.

<i>Nepenthes longifolia</i> Species of pitcher plant from Sumatra

Nepenthes longifolia is a tropical pitcher plant endemic to Sumatra, where it grows at elevations of between 300 and 1100 m above sea level. The specific epithet longifolia, formed from the Latin words longus (long) and folius (leaf), refers to the exceptionally large leaves of this species.

<i>Nepenthes jacquelineae</i> Species of pitcher plant from Sumatra

Nepenthes jacquelineae is a tropical pitcher plant endemic to the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Due to its unique pitcher morphology, it is considered to be one of the most spectacular Nepenthes species native to the island.

<i>Nepenthes dubia</i> Species of pitcher plant from Sumatra

Nepenthes dubia is a tropical pitcher plant endemic to the Indonesian island of Sumatra, where it grows at an altitude of 1600–2700 m above sea level. The specific epithet dubia is the Latin word for "doubtful".

<i>Nepenthes talangensis</i> Species of pitcher plant from Sumatra

Nepenthes talangensis is a tropical pitcher plant endemic to Sumatra, where it grows in upper montane forest at elevations of 1800–2500 m above sea level.

<i>Nepenthes tenuis</i> Species of pitcher plant from Sumatra

Nepenthes tenuis is a tropical pitcher plant endemic to the Indonesian island of Sumatra. The species was first collected in 1957, from a remote mountain in the western part of the island. It remained undescribed until 1994, and was only rediscovered in the wild in 2002. Prior to this, N. tenuis was known solely from a single photograph and dried herbarium specimen.

<i>Nepenthes rigidifolia</i> Species of pitcher plant from Sumatra

Nepenthes rigidifolia is a critically endangered tropical pitcher plant endemic to Sumatra, where it grows at elevations of 1000–1600 m above sea level.

<i>Nepenthes mikei</i> Tropical pitcher plant endemic to Sumatra

Nepenthes mikei is a tropical pitcher plant endemic to Sumatra. It is characterised by its black mottled lower and upper pitchers. The species is closely related to N. angasanensis and N. tobaica.

<i>Nepenthes inermis</i> Species of pitcher plant from Sumatra

Nepenthes inermis is a tropical pitcher plant endemic to the Indonesian island of Sumatra. The specific epithet inermis is Latin for "unarmed" and refers to the upper pitchers of this species, which are unique in that they completely lack a peristome.

<i>Nepenthes izumiae</i> Species of pitcher plant from Sumatra

Nepenthes izumiae is a tropical pitcher plant endemic to Sumatra, where it grows in montane forest at 1700–1900 m above sea level. It appears to be most closely related to N. lingulata and N. singalana.

<i>Nepenthes rhombicaulis</i> Species of pitcher plant from Sumatra

Nepenthes rhombicaulis is a tropical pitcher plant endemic to Sumatra. The specific epithet rhombicaulis is formed from the Latin words rhombicus, meaning "rhomboid", and caulis, "stem". It refers to the cross-sectional shape of the stem internodes.

<i>Nepenthes ovata</i> Species of pitcher plant from Sumatra

Nepenthes ovata is a tropical pitcher plant endemic to Sumatra. The specific epithet ovata is Latin for "ovate" and refers to the shape of the lower pitchers.

<i>Nepenthes spectabilis</i> Species of pitcher plant from Sumatra

Nepenthes spectabilis is a tropical pitcher plant endemic to Sumatra, where it grows at elevations of between 1400 and 2200 m above sea level. The specific epithet spectabilis is Latin for "visible" or "notable".

<i>Nepenthes lingulata</i> Species of pitcher plant from Sumatra

Nepenthes lingulata is a tropical pitcher plant endemic to northern Sumatra. The species is characterised by the highly developed appendage present on the underside of the lid. The specific epithet lingulata is derived from the Latin word lingula, meaning "small tongue", and refers to this unique morphological feature.

<i>Nepenthes flava</i> Species of pitcher plant from Sumatra

Nepenthes flava is a tropical pitcher plant endemic to northern Sumatra, where it grows in montane forest at 1800–2200 m above sea level.

<i>Nepenthes naga</i> Species of pitcher plant from Sumatra

Nepenthes naga is a tropical pitcher plant endemic to the Barisan Mountains of Sumatra. It is characterised by a forked sub-apical appendage on the underside of the lid and an undulate lid margin. The specific epithet naga is the Indonesian word for "dragon" and refers to the distinctive lid appendage of this species as well as the large size of its pitchers. The name also references local folklore, which tells of dragons occurring in this species's habitat in the past.

<i>Nepenthes micramphora</i> Tropical pitcher plant endemic to the Philippines

Nepenthes micramphora is a tropical pitcher plant known only from Mount Hamiguitan on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. It is a highland plant growing at elevations of 1100–1635 m.

<i>Nepenthes pitopangii</i> Species of pitcher plant from Sulawesi

Nepenthes pitopangii is a tropical pitcher plant endemic to the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. Discovered in 2006, N. pitopangii was initially known from a single plant at a remote locality in Lore Lindu National Park. Efforts made in the following years to locate further populations on surrounding mountains proved unsuccessful. In March 2011, a new population of N. pitopangii consisting of around a dozen plants was discovered more than 100 km from the type locality. Nepenthes pitopangii appears to be closely related to N. glabrata, from which it differs most obviously in its upper pitcher morphology.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Lee, C.C., Hernawati & P. Akhriadi 2006. Two new species of Nepenthes (Nepenthaceae) from North Sumatra. Blumea51(3): 561–568.
  2. ↑ McPherson, S.R. 2009. Pitcher Plants of the Old World . 2 volumes. Redfern Natural History Productions, Poole.
  3. 1 2 3 McPherson, S.R. & A. Robinson 2012. Field Guide to the Pitcher Plants of Sumatra and Java . Redfern Natural History Productions, Poole.
  4. 1 2 Clarke, C.M. 2001. Nepenthes of Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia . Natural History Publications (Borneo), Kota Kinabalu.
  5. ↑ Wartono, A.Y. 2011. Re: dubia hybrid ? ID opinions Archived 2012-07-22 at the Wayback Machine . Carnivorous Plants in the tropics, March 2, 2011.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.