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 Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Nepenthaceae
Genus: Nepenthes
Species:
N. holdenii
Binomial name
Nepenthes holdenii
Mey (2010)[1]

Description

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Leaves 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

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Nepenthes holdenii occurs in localities situated in the transitional zone between lowland evergreen forest and low montane evergreen forest.[1]

Etymology

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It 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]

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These species are considered to be part of the Nepenthes thorelii aggregate.[1]

References

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ McPherson, S. R.; Robinson, A. (2012). Field Guide to the Pitcher Plants of Peninsular Malaysia and Indochina. Poole: Redfern Natural History Productions.
  3. ^ Mey, F. S. (2011-10-08). "New Nepenthes holdenii population located!". Strange Fruits: A Garden's Chronicle.
  4. ^ Mey, F. S. (2015-08-28). "Nepenthes holdenii is now in cultivation!". Strange Fruits: A Garden's Chronicle.
  5. ^ Mey, F. S. (2010-12-10). "Nepenthes holdenii and some ant-plants in the Cardamom mountains". Strange Fruits: A Garden's Chronicle.
  6. ^ Foges, R. (2010-11-15). "'New species of carnivorous plant discovered in Cambodia". Fauna & Flora International.

Further reading

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