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Nepenthes ampullaria
This is red with green(may be pink or red) peristome N.ampullaria which is originated in Indonesia.This species have less dangerous for insect because almost of its food is falling leaf! may be it's a detritivorous plant. It's have a unique characteristic that unlike other species in this genus.
High humidity and light
.In my carnivorous garden
Spotted on May 17, 2012
Submitted on May 17, 2012
4 Comments
Here is an extract from my Nepenthes dissertation:
"Whilst most pitcher plants have adaptations to lure and trap insect prey, Nepenthes ampullaria has been observed to have a significantly detritivorous diet. Its pitchers, unique to the Nepenthes genus, sit on the rainforest floor and have notably reduced pitcher lids which expose the pitcher mouth to falling debris such as leaves (Moran et al, 2003). The pitcher plant also has a lack of lunate cells (Moran et al, 2010) and nectar glands in this species are rare (Clarke, 2001), supporting the theory that they have evolved away from catching insect prey and now rely mostly on vegetative debris which is then broken down by infaunal organisms and bacteria (Clarke, 2001)."
@ceherzog I'm not sure but It's not pure detritivore and carnivore so they can digest both leaves and insect , may be it has not enough attraction to allure insect in the pitcher.I haven't found some nectar in the pitcher or peristome. @alicelongmartin Thank you :D
Interesting information and nice picture!
I wonder why they have evolved away from carnivory....perhaps habitat change?