ma_suska · CC BY 2.0
About
A striking climbing plant notable for its large, robust lower pitchers, which are among the largest of the Sumatran *Nepenthes* species. It is easily identified by its spathulate (spatula-shaped) leaves and the distinct morphology of its peristome and operculum.
Field notes
Morphology
The plant is a climbing species with a stem that can reach 5 m in height and is up to 8 mm in diameter. Leaves are sessile to sub-petiolate, coriaceous, and spathulate, measuring up to 30 cm long by 10 cm wide. Lower pitchers are ovoid in the lower third to two-thirds, becoming cylindrical above, and can reach up to 30 cm high and 10 cm wide. They feature a pair of fringed wings (≤25 mm wide) and a peristome that is narrow at the front (≤5 mm wide) but much wider towards the rear (≤25 mm wide). The operculum is ovate and often slightly cordate. Upper pitchers are much smaller, reaching only 15 cm in height and 3 cm in width, and have a thinner peristome (≤7 mm wide) with two pronounced ribs.
Distribution & habitat
Native to Java and Sumatra, with a wide altitudinal range from 1,100 to 2,900 m above sea level. In Sumatra, it is recorded from the Indonesian provinces of Jambi, South Sumatra, Bengkulu, and Lampung, stretching from Mount Tanggamus to Lake Kerinci.
History & etymology
The specific epithet spathulata is derived from the Latin word spathulatus, meaning "spatula shaped," referring to the shape of the lamina. One of the first collections was made by Maurits Anne Lieftinck in January 1935 on Mount Tanggamus near Lampung, Sumatra. It was formally described by B. H. Danser later that same year.
Conservation
Least Concern
Habitat
- Altitude
- 1,100–2,900 m
- Altitude Class
- highland
- Native To
- Sumatra, Java
- IUCN Status
- Least Concern
Taxonomy
- Described
- 1935
- Authority
- Danser
Cultivation
- Difficulty
- intermediate
- Temperature
- Day 18–25°C / Night 10–18°C
- Humidity
- 70–95%
In My Collection 2 plants
Borneo Exotics 20 listings
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BE-3175
N. spathulata – best selected clone
BE-4077
N. spathulata x aristolochioides
BE-3796
N. spathulata x campanulata – best selected clone
BE-4048
N. spathulata x flava – assorted clones
BE-3314
N. spathulata x spectabilis – assorted clones
BE-3648
N. spathulata x veitchii
BE-3981
N. spathulata x tenuis - assorted clones
BE-4004
N. spathulata x singalana – assorted clones
BE-4050
N. spathulata x ampullaria – solid green
BE-3422
N. spathulata x gymnamphora – best selected clone
BE-3903
N. spathulata x tobaica – yellow-green
BE-3949
N. spathulata x merrilliana - selected clone
BE-3790
N. spathulata x glabrata – assorted clones
BE-3751
N. spathulata x dubia – assorted clones
BE-3983
N. spathulata x diabolica – assorted clones
BE-4073
N. spathulata x ampullaria – solid red
BE-3881
N. spathulata x ampullaria – burgundy speckled
BE-3794
N. spathulata x tobaica - selected clone
BE-3894
N. spathulata x jacquelineae – best selected clone
BE-3883
N. spathulata x jacquelineae – assorted clones
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