Nepenthes holdenii is a tropical pitcher plant from western Cambodia, where it grows at elevations of 600–800 m above sea level.[1][2] The species was originally known from only two peaks in the Cardamom Mountains, but the discovery of a new population was reported in October 2011[3][self-published source?]. Seeds were collected in 2014 and the species was successfully introduced into cultivation[4][self-published source?].
| Nepenthes holdenii | |
|---|---|
| |
| A lower pitcher of N. holdenii | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Nepenthaceae |
| Genus: | Nepenthes |
| Species: | N. holdenii
|
| Binomial name | |
| Nepenthes holdenii | |
Description
editLeaves are coriaceous, subpetiolate, lamina linear to linear-lanceolate, 25-40 cm long, 3.5-6 cm wide, apex acute, clasping the stem by 1/2 of its circumference, decurrent on rosette and on climbing stem on 3-4 cm projecting from the stem as wings.[1] There are three longitudinal nerves (rarely 4) on each side of the midrib in the outer third of the leaf.[1] In the dry season, the leaves are modified into pitchers to capture and digest insects.[5] The pitchers can reach up to 30cm long.[6] In contrast to other closely related species, it has long tendrils and globose lower pitchers.[1]
Habitat and Distribution
editNepenthes holdenii occurs in localities situated in the transitional zone between lowland evergreen forest and low montane evergreen forest.[1]
Etymology
editIt was previously collected and diagnosed by Lecomte in the 1909 as Nepenthes thorelii, which is now considered an aggregate of Indochinese Nepenthes species.[1] It was photographed by biologist Jeremy Holden in 2006; Mey used these photographs, in situ examination of closely related species, and the previously collected specimen to distinguish N. holdenii from N. thorelii.[1]
Closely Related Species
editThese species are considered to be part of the Nepenthes thorelii aggregate.[1]
- N. andamana M. Catal. (2010)
- N. bokorensis Mey (2009)
- N. chang M. Catal. (2010)
- N. kampotiana Lecomte (1909)
- N. kerrii M. Catal. & T. Kruetr. (2010)
- N. smilesii Hemsley (1897)
- N. suratensis M. Catal. (2010)
- N. thorelii Lecomte (1909)
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i Mey, F.; Catalano, S. M.; Clarke, C.; Robinson, A.; Fleischmann, A.; McPherson, S. (2010). "Nepenthes holdenii (Nepenthaceae), a new species of pyrophytic pitcher plant from the Cardamom Mountains of Cambodia". In McPherson, S. R. (ed.). Carnivorous Plants and their Habitats (PDF). Vol. 2. Poole: Redfern Natural History Productions. pp. 1306–1331.
- ^ McPherson, S. R.; Robinson, A. (2012). Field Guide to the Pitcher Plants of Peninsular Malaysia and Indochina. Poole: Redfern Natural History Productions.
- ^ Mey, F. S. (2011-10-08). "New Nepenthes holdenii population located!". Strange Fruits: A Garden's Chronicle.
- ^ Mey, F. S. (2015-08-28). "Nepenthes holdenii is now in cultivation!". Strange Fruits: A Garden's Chronicle.
- ^ Mey, F. S. (2010-12-10). "Nepenthes holdenii and some ant-plants in the Cardamom mountains". Strange Fruits: A Garden's Chronicle.
- ^ Foges, R. (2010-11-15). "'New species of carnivorous plant discovered in Cambodia". Fauna & Flora International.
Further reading
edit- Mara Guerini (June 2011). "2010: new species of Carnivorous Plants" (PDF). AIPC Magazine. 2 (22). Italian Carnivorous Plants Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 March 2012.
- Holden, J. 2012. What’s in a name – the perils of naming new species. Fauna & Flora International, February 3, 2012.
- Hruby, D. 2010. Another carnivorous plant discovered Archived 2011-01-01 at the Wayback Machine. The Phnom Penh Post, November 15, 2010.
- Mey, F.S. 2010. Introduction to the pitcher plants (Nepenthes) of Cambodia. Cambodian Journal of Natural History 2010(2): 106–117.
- Mey, F.S. 2010. Nepenthes holdenii. Strange Fruits: A Garden's Chronicle, October 31, 2010.
- Mey, F.S. 2014. 'Nepenthes of Indochina', my 2010 ICPS lecture now on Youtube. Strange Fruits: A Garden's Chronicle, February 3, 2014.
- Mey, F.S. 2014. Paphiopedilum robinsonianum, a new species of slipper orchid from Sulawesi. Strange Fruits: A Garden's Chronicle, February 27, 2014.
- Carnivorous plant found by Cambridge conservationists. BBC News, November 15, 2010.
External links
edit
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