Nepenthes gracilis
Content
Description
Terrestrial climber 2(-5) m tall.
Leaves chartaceous, sessile, leaves of the climbing stems nar-rowly lanceolate (6.5-)12-19 by (1-)1.5-2.8(-3.7) cm, apex acute, rarely acuminate, subpeltate, base narrowing only slightly, decurrent by (0.4-)1-4(-6) mm into stem wings;
Flowers variously described as white, green, light red or brown.
Fruit valves 14-27(-35) mm long.
Seeds fusiform, papillate at the centre.
Distribution
Asia-Tropical: Borneo present; Malaya (Peninsular Malaysia present, Singapore present); Sulawesi (Sulawesi present); Sumatera (Sumatera present); Thailand (Thailand present)
Thailand, Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Borneo, Sulawesi.
Notes
1 Nepenthes gracilis is a widespread, common and weedy species. Nepenthes albomarginata and particularly N. reinwardtiana have often been confused with N. gracilis. From N. albomarginata, N. gracilis is told apart by the triangular stems, the decurrent leaf bases which run down the stem ridges, and the absence of a white band of hairs below the peristome. From N. reinwardtiana it is distinguished by the slender, gracile pitchers, the shortly-toothed peristome (vs. untoothed), the absence of eye-spots, the lid with its few, large nectar glands and the 1-flowered partial peduncles (vs. 2-flow-ered).
2. Blume cites Jack’s misapplication of the name N. distillatoria and Wallich’s Cat. No. 2244 under his variety elongata. The former is not possible to certainly identify, whilst the Wallich herbarium at K comprises at least 5 sheets with N. gracilis, and on two of these are attached specimens of N. albomarginata also. Five further sheets of this number comprise specimens of N. khasiana.
3. Nepenthes neglecta Macfarl. is discussed under ‘Excluded Species’ in relation to N. gracilis.
Citation
Shivas 1984: Pitcher Plants of Peninsula Malaysia & Singapore. p 29
Tamin & M. Hotta 1986 – In: M. Hotta, Diversity and Dynamics of Plant Life in Sumatra. p 86
Clarke 1997: Nepenthes of Borneo: 90. f. 59 & 60
Jebb & Cheek 1997 – In: Blumea. p 42
J.H. Adam & Wilcock – In: Sarawak Mus. J. p 159
Danser 1928 – In: Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg. p 290
Phillipps & A.L. Lamb 1996: Pitcher Plants of Borneo: 89. f. 49
Sh. Kurata 1973 – In: Gard. Bull. Sing. p 229