Nepenthes rafflesiana
Description
Terrestrial climber 2-6 m tall.
Leaves papery, distinctly petiolate, leaves of short stems narrowly oblong, (12-)17-37(-45) by (3-)4-7(-11) cm, apex acute or slightly acuminate, base abruptly acute or attenuate;
Fruits with stipe (3-)4-8 mm long, valves (16-)32-50 by (5-)6-10 mm.
Seed filiform, (12-)17-18 by 0.2-0.4 mm.
Distribution
Asia-Tropical: Borneo present; Malaya (Peninsular Malaysia present); Sumatera (Sumatera present)
Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, and Borneo.
Taxonomy
1 Nepenthes rafflesiana is a widespread and variable lowland species often abundant in weedy regrowth at the sides of roads. It can be recognised by its characteristic white arachnoid indumentum, its distinctly petiolate leaves and the manner in which the peristome rises into an extended, and laterally flattened neck, which is broadest immediately below the lid. The lid is often notched or blunt at its apex, and the glands are confined towards the edge. It is not easily confused with any other species, apart from N. sumatrana and N. treubiana (q.v.). Rather rare in mainland Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia, but abundant on offshore islands such as the Riau archipelago and Singapore. In northern Borneo it is one of the most abundant species of the genus. A number of striking variants have been described ( ). It has been erroneously reported from New Guinea (), due to a misidentified specimen at Bogor.
2. Low created confusion by transposing the names of N. rafflesiana and N. hookeriana in his book Sarawak: its Inhabitants and Productions (1848). This confusion was cleared up by Masters writing in the Gardener’s Chronicle (1881: 812).
Citation
Clarke 1997: Nepenthes of Borneo: 116: f. 77-80
Tamin & M. Hotta 1986 – In: M. Hotta, Diversity and Dynamics of Plant Life in Sumatra: 90
Shivas 1984: Pitcher Plants of Peninsula Malaysia & Singapore: 39
Danser 1928 – In: Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg: 357
Jebb & Cheek 1997 – In: Blumea: 75
Jack 1996: Pitcher Plants of Borneo: 123: f. 66-68
Phillipps & A.L. Lamb 1988 – In: Nature Malaysiana: 14
Phillipps & A.L. Lamb 1996: Pitcher Plants of Borneo: f. 68