Nepenthes aenigma

Last updated

Nepenthes aenigma
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Nepenthaceae
Genus: Nepenthes
Species:
N. aenigma
Binomial name
Nepenthes aenigma
Synonyms [1]

Nepenthes aenigma is a tropical pitcher plant known from two mountains in Ilocos Norte province on the Philippine island of Luzon, where it grows at an elevation of around 1200 m above sea level. [1] The species is notable for growing among dense vegetation in deep shade. [1] It shows similarities to N. burkei and N. ventricosa . [2]

They are mostly hairless plants, but do have small brown hairs on traps that are undeveloped. These plants also have buds that are dormant and sit above each leaf. This species has be seen preying on ants, spiders, mosquito larvae, and roaches in stages of decomposition.

The species was originally discovered in April 2002 by ornithologist Herman Nuytemans [2] and was only relocated in the wild just over 10 years later. [3] Prior to its formal description the species was known under the placeholder name "Nepenthes sp. Luzon". [1]

The specific epithet aenigma is Latin for "enigma" or "riddle" and refers to the species's "very unusual ecological preferences" of growing in deep shade. [1]

Related Research Articles

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

Nepenthes mindanaoensis is a tropical pitcher plant native to the Philippine islands of Mindanao and Dinagat.

Nepenthes saranganiensis is a tropical pitcher plant native to the Philippine island of Mindanao. It is noted for its extremely decurrent leaf attachment that extends a large distance down the stem, often continuing into the next internode.

<i>Nepenthes bellii</i> Species of pitcher plant from the Philippines

Nepenthes bellii is a tropical pitcher plant endemic to the Philippine islands of Mindanao and Dinagat, where it grows at elevations of 0–800 m above sea level.

<i>Nepenthes peltata</i> Species of pitcher plant from the Philippines

Nepenthes peltata is a tropical pitcher plant known only from the upper slopes of Mount Hamiguitan on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. It is characterised by a peltate tendril attachment and conspicuous indumentum. The species typically produces ovoid pitchers with a prominent basal crest and large nectar glands on the lower surface of the lid.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Hamiguitan</span> Mountain in Davao Oriental, Philippines

Mount Hamiguitan is a mountain located in the province of Davao Oriental, Philippines. It has a height of 1,620 metres (5,315 ft). The mountain and its vicinity has one of the most diverse wildlife populations in the country. Among the wildlife found in the area are Philippine eagles and several species of Nepenthes. Some of the latter, such as the Nepenthes peltata and Nepenthes micramphora, are endemic to the area. The mountain has a protected forest area of approximately 2,000 hectares. This woodland is noted for its unique pygmy forest of century-old trees in ultramafic soil, with many endangered, endemic and rare species of flora and fauna.

<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 hamiguitanensis</i> Species of pitcher plant from the Philippines

Nepenthes hamiguitanensis is a tropical pitcher plant endemic to a single peak on the Philippine island of Mindanao, where it grows at elevations of 1200–1600 m above sea level. Once thought to be a natural hybrid between N. micramphora and N. peltata, this plant is now considered a species of possible hybridogenic origin. It produces squat upper pitchers that vary greatly in pigmentation, from red speckled to yellow throughout.

<i>Nepenthes ceciliae</i> Species of pitcher plant from the Philippines

Nepenthes ceciliae is a tropical pitcher plant endemic to the Philippine island of Mindanao, where it grows at 1500–1880 m above sea level. Its discovery was announced online in August 2011.

<i>New Nepenthes</i>

New Nepenthes: Volume One is a reference work by Stewart McPherson on the pitcher plants of the genus Nepenthes. It was published in 2011 by Redfern Natural History Productions and focuses on discoveries made since the release of McPherson's 2009 monograph, Pitcher Plants of the Old World. The book was edited by Alastair Robinson.

<i>Nepenthes ramos</i> Species of pitcher plant from the Philippines

Nepenthes ramos is a tropical pitcher plant native to the northeastern Mindanao, Philippines. It is known from only a handful of herbarium specimens collected in 1919 at an elevation of 670 m above sea level. It likely grows in the forest on ultramafic soils.

Nepenthes negros is a tropical pitcher plant native to the Philippines, specifically the islands of Biliran and Negros.

<i>Nepenthes viridis</i> Species of pitcher plant from the Philippines

Nepenthes viridis is a tropical pitcher plant endemic to the Philippines. It is known only from coastal areas at low altitude and has been recorded from Dinagat, Samar, and a number of surrounding islets. It is closely allied to the N. alata group of species.

<i>Nepenthes extincta</i> Species of pitcher plant from the Philippines

Nepenthes extincta is a tropical pitcher plant native to the Philippines. It is known only from Surigao del Sur, Mindanao, where it has been recorded at c. 400 metres (1,300 ft) altitude.

<i>Nepenthes leyte</i> Species of pitcher plant from the Philippines

Nepenthes leyte is a tropical pitcher plant native to the Philippines. It appears to be endemic to the island of Leyte, after which it is named. It has been recorded from submontane mossy forest at 900 m altitude.

<i>Nepenthes cornuta</i> Species of pitcher plant from the Philippines

Nepenthes cornuta is a tropical pitcher plant native to the Philippines. It is known only from the Pantaron Mountain Range of central Mindanao, where it grows terrestrially on ultramafic soils at around 1000 m above sea level.

<i>Nepenthes talaandig</i> Species of pitcher plant from the Philippines

Nepenthes talaandig is a tropical pitcher plant native to the Philippines. It is known only from the Pantaron Mountain Range of central Mindanao, where it grows terrestrially on ultramafic soils at around 1000 m above sea level.

<i>Nepenthes justinae</i> Species of pitcher plant from the Philippines

Nepenthes justinae is a tropical pitcher plant known only from Mount Hamiguitan on the Philippine island of Mindanao, where it grows at elevations of 1000–1620 m above sea level.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Gronemeyer, T., W. Suarez, H. Nuytemans, M. Calaramo, A. Wistuba, F.S. Mey & V.B. Amoroso (2016). Two new Nepenthes species from the Philippines and an emended description of Nepenthes ramos. Plants5(2): 23. doi:10.3390/plants5020023
  2. 1 2 3 McPherson, S.R. (2011). Discovery of an incompletely diagnosed pitcher plant from Luzon. In: New Nepenthes: Volume One . Redfern Natural History Productions, Poole. pp. 457–459.
  3. Suarez, W. (2013). The rediscovery of Nepenthes sp. Luzon Archived 2018-06-15 at the Wayback Machine . Carnivorous Plants in the tropics, 18 April 2013. Gronemeyer, T. (2016). Two New Nepenthes Species from the Philippines and an Emended Description of Nepenthes ramos https://doi.org/10.3390/plants5020023