Nepenthes papuana
Description
Terrestrial climber to several m tall.
Leaves thinly coriaceous, sessile or weakly petiolate, those of climbing stems lanceolate or narrowly elliptic, 15-30 by 2.5-5 cm, apex acute, base attenuate into a weakly formed petiole up to 4 cm long, semi-amplexicaul at base, not sheathing or decurrent.
Fruit with valves lanceolate, 25-35 by 3-5 mm.
Seeds filiform 12-15 mm long, centre transversely wrinkled.
Distribution
Asia-Tropical: New Guinea present, Fakfak to Balim Valley present, southern Irian Jaya present
New Guinea: southern Irian Jaya (Fakfak to Balim Valley).
Taxonomy
1 Nepenthes papuana has subcylindrical upper pitchers with a somewhat narrow peristome and resembles N. mirabilis in general appearance. It differs in its more leathery leaf blades with somewhat indistinct pennate nerves, the blades of lower rosette pitchers lack the fimbriate margin of this latter species, while the upper pitchers have blades with a pubescent margin below. Nepenthes papuana might also be confused with, and is possibly most closely related to N. neoguineensis. The latter differs mainly in the paniculate inflorescence, the conspicuous pennate nerves and the curved upper pitchers with wings broadest at the base, towards the tendril.
2. Ridley incorrectly identified the first known material of this species, from the Wollaston expedition, as N. neoguineensis Macfarl.