Rediscovered Species - Nepenthes deaniana
Species:
Nepenthes deaniana
Locality:
Philippines
Date discovered:
July 2008
Discovery Details
This spectacular species was first encountered during a botanical expedition to central Palawan in 1907. The specimens which were collected were unfortunately lost in a catastrophic fire that destroyed the Manila Herbarium in 1945, and for the remainder of the 20th century this taxon was lost to science. After an intensive search, Alastair Robinson, Stewart McPherson and Volker Heinrich rediscovered this species growing on a remote peak in Central Palawan.
The only mountain where this plant occurs is located within the grounds of a prison. In order to refind Nepenthes deaniana, Alastair, Stewart and Volker were guided through the penal colony by inmates and embarked on a difficult journey up a little known peak. The re-discovery of this species is accounted in Pitcher Plants of the Old World Volume Two.
Nepenthes deaniana is a spectacular plant - it produces robust pitchers are among the largest in the genus. While related to Nepenthes attenboroughii, Nepenthes mantalingajanensis and Nepenthes mira, the structure of the leaves, pitchers and flowers distinguishes this plant from all other Nepenthes species.
Further information and several photos of Nepenthes deaniana feature in Redfern's recently released book titles Pitcher Plants of the Old World Volume One and Pitcher Plants of the Old World Volume Two by Stewart McPherson. Both volumes are available online for immediate dispatch - Please see Redfern book catalogue (left) for more details or to place an order.
Please view our stock image and stock video libraries (links to the left) for photographs and video clips of this exciting little known plant!