Nepenthes rigidifolia
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| Nepenthes rigidifolia | ||||||||||||||
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 Upper pitcher of Nepenthes rigidifolia
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| Nepenthes rigidifolia Akhriadi, Hernawati & Tamin (2004) |
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Nepenthes rigidifolia (pronounced /nəˈpɛnθiːz rɪdʒɪdɪˈfəʊliːə/) is a tropical pitcher plant endemic to Sumatra, where it grows at elevations of between 1000 and 1600 m above sea level. The specific epithet rigidifolia is formed from the Latin words rigidus, meaning rigid, and folius, meaning leaf. It refers to the stiff, coriaceous texture of the leaf blade. Tahul-tahul is a local vernacular name for this species.[1]
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[edit] Botanical history
N. rigidifolia was discovered by Ch'ien Lee some time before 2001. The species was mentioned as an undescribed taxon in Charles Clarke's Nepenthes of Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia under the name "Nepenthes species A".[2]
In 2004, Ch'ien Lee informally named the species N. alpicola and later N. aptera. Cultivated plants were sold under both of these names. Although intended to become scientific names, they were never published with an adequate description and are thus considered nomina nuda.[3] Instead, the species was formally described later that year as N. rigidifolia by Pitra Akhriadi, Hernawati, and Rusjdi Tamin.[I][1]
The holotype of N. rigidifolia, Nepenthes Team (Hernawati, P. Akhriadi & I. Petra) NP 354, was collected on December 11, 2003, near Sidikalang in Karo Regency, North Sumatra at an elevation of between 1000 and 1500 m above sea level. It is deposited at the herbarium of Andalas University in Padang, West Sumatra. An isotype is held at the Bogor Botanical Gardens in Java.[1]
[edit] Description
N. rigidifolia is a climbing plant. The stem is cylindrical in cross section and up to 1.3 cm in diameter. It can attain a length in excess of 10 m.[2] Internodes are up to 5.1 cm long.[1]
Leaves are thick, coriaceous, and sessile. The lamina is usually spathulate-oblong, but may also be ovate in rosettes. It may be up to 20.8 cm long and 7.8 cm wide. It is gradually attenuate towards the base, clasping the stem for half to two-thirds of its diameter. The apex of the lamina is obtuse-rounded in rosettes or obtuse-acute on leaves of the climbing stem. Two to four longitudinal veins are present on either side of the midrib. Pinnate veins are distinct on the upper surface of the lamina and indistinct on its underside. Tendrils are up to 32.1 cm long and may or may not have a loop. The tendril insertion is sub-apical.[1]
Rosette and lower pitchers are broadly ovoid throughout. They grow up to 15 cm in height and 6.4 cm in width. A pair of fringed wings (≤0.2 cm wide) extends up to 2 cm below the peristome. The insertion of the pitcher mouth is oblique and it is elliptic-ovate in form. The peristome is expanded and up to 2.1 cm wide. Its inner margin is lined with small teeth that measure between 0.5 and 1 mm in length. The peristome is elongated into a neck up to 6.7 cm long and 4.7 cm wide. The glandular zone covers the lower half of the inner surface. The pitcher lid is elliptic-ovate and may be up to 5.2 cm long and 3.5 cm wide. It has a cordate base and acute-obtuse apex. Three longitudinal veins are present on either side of the lid. A number of circular or slightly ovate nectar glands (≤ 0.1 mm wide) are concentrated on the underside of the lid. A trifid spur (≤1.2 cm long) is inserted near the base of the lid.[1]
Upper pitchers are similar in most respects to their lower counterparts, although they are infundibular in the lower part and ovoid above. They are also larger, reaching 21.1 cm in height and 9.4 cm in width. Wings are reduced to ribs that run the whole length of the pitcher cup. The peristome is up to 4.4 cm wide. The lid is up to 7.9 cm long and 5.6 cm wide. A bifid spur (≤1.6 cm long) is inserted near the base of the lid.[1]
N. rigidifolia has a racemose inflorescence. Female inflorescences have not been recorded in the wild. In male inflorescences, the rachis measures around 3.9 cm in length and the peduncle is 4.2 cm long. Pedicels are two-flowered and up to 0.6 cm long. Bracteoles are filiform and up to 0.2 cm long near the base. Tepals are ovate-oblong and measure up to 0.5 cm in length and 0.3 cm in width. Stamens are around 0.4 cm long and 0.1 cm in diameter.[1] N. rigidifolia is one of the few Nepenthes species known to occasionally produce multiple inflorescences concurrently on a single stem. This unusual reproductive habit has also been observed in N. ampullaria, N. benstonei, and N. sanguinea.[2]
Developing rosette pitchers and tendrils are densely pubescent. Developing pitchers produced on the climbing stem are tomentose. The pitcher lid is glabrous or pubescent. The peduncle is slightly pubescent, while the peduncle branches, pedicels, bracteoles, tepals, and filaments are densely pubescent.[1]
The stem and lamina are green. Pitchers are blackish-brown with greenish-white blotches on their inner and outer surfaces. Rosette pitchers have a dark brown peristome, whereas that of upper pitchers is orange to dark red. Herbarium specimens have an almost black stem. Dried leaves are light brown above with a dark brown underside. Pitchers are blackish-brown with dark brown blotches and an almost black lid.[1]
[edit] Ecology
N. rigidifolia has been recorded from a single small location in the Karo Regency of North Sumatra. The only known population of this species grows on a road bank and consists of 24 mature plants.[1]
The species grows terrestrially in lower montane forest. It has an altitudinal distribution of 1000 to 1600 m above sea level.[1][2]
Despite being threatened by land clearing,[1] N. rigidifolia is not included on the IUCN Red List due to the recency of its description.
[edit] Related species
The pitchers of N. rigidifolia resemble those of N. bongso to a degree, although their colouration is closer to that of N. spectabilis.[2] N. rigidifolia also differs from N. bongso in having mostly ovoid upper pitchers, compared to infundibular in the latter. In addition, the lower pitchers of N. bongso are considerably larger than those of N. rigidifolia.[1]
N. rigidifolia is also somewhat similar to N. ovata. Both N. ovata and N. spectabilis differ from the former in having thin leaves and an apical tendril insertion. N. spectabilis can also be distinguished on the basis of its unbranched spur.[1]
[edit] Natural hybrids
N. rigidifolia × N. spectabilis
Only one natural hybrid involving N. rigidifolia is known. Several plants representing the cross N. rigidifolia × N. spectabilis have been recorded from an open rocky outcrop. The hybrid differs from N. rigidifolia in having narrower pitchers with an infundibular base and distinct hip around the middle. On the other hand, the pitchers of this hybrid are broader than those of N. spectabilis and have a wider, expanded peristome.[2]
The richly coloured lower pitchers of N. rigidifolia × N. spectabilis superficially resemble those of N. macfarlanei. However, since that species is confined to Peninsular Malaysia, the two taxa are not easily confused.[2]
[edit] Notes
I. ^ The Latin diagnosis for N. rigidifolia reads:[1]
Folia sessilia crassa rigide coriacea laminis ovatis ad spathulato-oblongis 17.8─20.2 cm longis 5.6─7.8 cm latis venis longitudinalibus 3 vel 4, cirrho subapicali 0.3─0.9 cm infra apicem inserto, ascidium superius ovoidissimum 20.7─21.1 cm altum 7.2─9.4 cm latum, peristome expanso 2.2─4.4 cm lato, ambobus lateris 4-lobatis antice incisura, collifero, operculo ovato, calcare trifido, intus pubescenti, inflorescentiae pedunculus rami pedicelli bracteoli tepali filamenta pubescentes, pedunculus c. 4.2 cm longus, ramis 0.4─0.5 cm longis, pedicelli 0.5─0.6 cm longis bifloris. ─ Typus: Sumatra Utara, Kab. Karo, around Sidikalang areas, 1000─1500 m, Dec 11, 2003, Nepenthes Team (Hernawati, P. Akhriadi & I. Petra), NP 354 (‘ANDA’–Holo, BO–Iso).
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Akhriadi, P., Hernawati & R. Tamin 2004. A new species of Nepenthes (Nepenthaceae) from Sumatra.PDF (160 KiB) Reinwardtia 12(2): 141–144.
- ^ a b c d e f g Clarke, C.M. 2001. Nepenthes of Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia. Natural History Publications (Borneo), Kota Kinabalu.
- ^ Schlauer, J. 2006. Nepenthes rigidifolia. Carnivorous Plant Database.
[edit] External links
Miscellaneous: Nepenthes taxonomy • Nepenthes infauna
