Nepenthes bicalcarata

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Nepenthes bicalcarata

Lower pitcher of N. bicalcarata. Cultivated plant - Kuching, Borneo.

Conservation status

Vulnerable (IUCN)

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Caryophyllales
Family:	Nepenthaceae
Genus:	Nepenthes
Species:	N. bicalcarata

Binomial name

Nepenthes bicalcarata
Hook. f., 1873

Synonyms

Nepenthes dyak
S.Moore, 1880

Nepenthes bicalcarata (Latin: bi = two, calcaratus = spur) is a lowland species of Nepenthes commonly known as the Fanged Pitcher Plant. The species is famous for the presence of two sharp spines on the underside of the lid. These are actually some of the largest nectar glands in the plant kingdom. N. bicalcarata plants are the largest in the genus, whereas the pitchers, although quite large (<25 cm), do not rival those of species such as N. rajah. It grows in peat swamp and kerangas forest. N. bicalcarata is restricted to north-western Borneo.

N. bicalcarata pitchers play host to an unusual species of ant (Camponotus schmitzi) that makes its nest in the hollow pitcher tendrils. The ants feed by descending into the pitcher fluid and retrieving prey items. In this way the contents of N. bicalcarata pitchers is controlled so that too much organic matter does not accumulate (which would lead to the pitcher rotting).

No forms or varieties of N. bicalcarata have been described.

[edit] Cultivation

N. bicalcarata may be cultivated in a similar manner to other Nepenthes, though it requires quite high humidity (80%+). It requires large pots, and temporary halts in growth are often due to becoming root-bound. Re-potting to a larger pot will often result in a rapid size increase. Under satisfactory conditions, this plant will grow quite fast for a Nepenthes, and can reach large sizes relatively rapidly; it is not uncommon for plants to go from a 2-inch leafspan to nearly 24 inches across in a single year.

[edit] Natural hybrids

N. ampullaria × N. bicalcarata
(N. ampullaria × N. gracilis) × N. bicalcarata [=N. × trichocarpa × N. bicalcarata]
N. bicalcarata × N. gracilis [=N. × cantleyi]
N. bicalcarata × N. mirabilis
N. bicalcarata × N. rafflesiana
? (N. bicalcarata × N. rafflesiana) × N. mirabilis

[edit] References

Schnell, D., Catling, P., Folkerts, G., Frost, C., Gardner, R., et al. (2000). Nepenthes bicalcarata. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Listed as Vulnerable (VU B1+2c v2.3)
Clarke, C.M. 1997. Nepenthes of Borneo. Natural History Publications, Kota Kinabalu, pp. 68-71.