Nepenthes attenboroughii

From WikiPilipinas: The Hip 'n Free Philippine Encyclopedia

N. attenboroughii found at the Mount Victoria, Palawan, Philippines

Nepenthes attenboroughii is a species of insectivorous pitcher plant of the genus Nepenthes. The species was found on the summit area of Mount Victoria, Palawan, Philippines and named after the Nepenthes genus enthusiast, Sir David Attenborough. It was dubbed the "rat-eating plant" by popular media because its pitchers are big enough to trap small animals such as rodents.

[edit] Description and habitat

N.attenboroughii's lower pitcher growing up to 30 cm tall and 16 cm wide

N. attenboroughii is distinguished by its long elliptical leaves which are obtuse at the apex and shortly attenuate at the base and can measure up to 15 centimeters wide and 40 centimeters long. The lower pitchers are bell-shaped and can grow up to 30 centimeters tall, 16 centimeters wide, and up to 9 millimeters in diameter. The tendrils are flattened towards the leaves appearing semi-circular in cross section.

The species produces some of the largest pitchers in the genus, holding up to 1.5 to two liters of fluid that digests its prey. The pitchers are big enough to trap rodents and small birds.

N. attenboroughii is found at the summit Mount Victoria, Palawan, Philippines growing among shrubs 0.8 to 1.8 meters tall, on rocky soil.

[edit] Discovery

Nepenthes attenboroughii was discovered by Alastair Robinson, Stewart McPherson and Volker Heinrich in June 2007. It is closely other Nepenthes species from Palawan, Mindanao, and Borneo.

[edit] Carnivory

N. attenboroughii has pitchers that are open and filled with two fractions of liquid that do not mix. The upper fraction is composed of a watery liquid capable of supporting life such as mosquito larvae, while the lower fraction is viscous. The fluids contain enzymes that digest the plant's prey, usually large bugs and flying insects. Contrary to reports in popular media, despite the large size of its pitchers there are still no observed events of N. attenboroughii trapping and digesting small rodents and birds.

 This Philippine-related article is a stub. You can help WikiPilipinas by expanding it.

[edit] References

• Giant rat-eating nepenthes plant named David Attenborough. (Accessed 04 September 2009).
• Ask Attenborough you questions. (Accessed 04 September 2009).
• British scientists discover plants that eat rats. (Accessed 04 September 2009).
• Nepenthes attenboroughii/rat-eating plant. (Accessed 04 September 2009).
• New Species – Nepenthes attenboroughii. (Accessed 04 September 2009).
• Newly Discovered Carnivorous Jungle Plants Gobbles Rats Whole. (Accessed 04 September 2009).
• Rodent-eating plant discovered in Palawan. (Accessed 04 September 2009).