Nepenthes macfarlanei

Nepenthes macfarlanei ( /nɨˈpɛnθiːz ˌmækfɑrˈleɪni.aɪ/; after John Muirhead Macfarlane, botanist) is a carnivorous pitcher plant species endemic to Peninsular Malaysia. It produces attractive red-speckled pitchers. Lower pitchers are ovoid to cylindrical and up to 20 cm high. The lower surface of the lid is densely covered with short, white hairs. This is a characteristic morphological feature of this species, but at present its function is unknown.^[2]

Natural hybrids

The following natural hybrids involving N. macfarlanei have been recorded.

• N. macfarlanei × N. ramispina^[3]
• N. macfarlanei × N. sanguinea^[3]

In Nepenthes of Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia, Charles Clarke lists the natural hybrid N. gracillima × N. macfarlanei.^[3] At the time of the book's publication, N. alba was considered a heterotypic synonym of N. gracillima. Since then, however, N. alba has been elevated to a species.^[4] As both N. alba and N. gracillima occur on Mount Tahan, from which Clarke recorded the hybrid, it is unknown which taxon was involved in the cross.

References

• Bourke, G. 2003. Exploring the Genting Highlands.PDF Carniflora Australis (2): 23–26.
• Clarke, C.M., R. Cantley, J. Nerz, H. Rischer & A. Witsuba (2000). Nepenthes macfarlanei. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Listed as Vulnerable (VU D2 v2.3).
• Clarke, C.M. 2006. Introduction. In: Danser, B.H. The Nepenthaceae of the Netherlands Indies. Natural History Publications (Borneo), Kota Kinabalu. pp. 1–15.
• Chua, L.S.L. 1995. Conservation studies with Nepenthes macfarlanei Hemsl. in Peninsular Malaysia. Ph.D. thesis, University of Bath, London. 200 pp.
• Chua, L.S.L. 2000. The flowering phenology and floral biology of Nepenthes macfarlanei (Nepenthaceae) from Mt. Purun, Peninsular Malaysia. Journal of Tropical Forest Science 12(2): 197–206.
• Chua, L.S.L. 2000. The pollination biology and breeding system of Nepenthes macfarlanei (Nepenthaceae). Journal of Tropical Forest Science 12(4): 635–642.
• (Indonesian) Mansur, M. 2001. Koleksi Nepenthes di Herbarium Bogoriense: prospeknya sebagai tanaman hias.PDF In: Prosiding Seminar Hari Cinta Puspa dan Satwa Nasional. Lembaga Ilmu Pengetahuan Indonesia, Bogor. pp. 244–253.
• Schmid-Höllinger, R. 1997. Nepenthes macfarlanei: Prey found in ground pitchers.PDF (440 KiB) Carnivorous Plant Newsletter 26(2): 46–50.
• Shivas, R.G. 1983. Nepenthes of Gunung Ulu Kali.PDF (1.54 MiB) Carnivorous Plant Newsletter 12(3): 65–67.
• Shivas, R.G. 1984. Pitcher Plants of Peninsular Malaysia & Singapore. Maruzen Asia, Kuala Lumpur.
• Thorogood, C. 2010. The Malaysian Nepenthes: Evolutionary and Taxonomic Perspectives. Nova Science Publishers, New York.
• Tökés, Z.A., W.C. Woon & S.M. Chambers 1974. Digestive enzymes secreted by the carnivorous plant Nepenthes macferlanei. Planta 119(1): 39–46. doi:10.1007/BF00390820