New Species - Nepenthes gantungensis
Species:
Nepenthes gantungensis
Locality:
Philippines
Date discovered:
February 2010
Discovery Details
On the summit of Mount Gantung, in the south of Palawan, Jehson Cervancia, Ch’ien Lee, Mark Jaunzems, and Stewart McPherson discovered a spectacular new species of Nepenthes (pitcher plant). The plant bears similarity to N. mira, known from the north of the island of Palawan, but produces pitchers with a more pronounced peristome, and different colouration. The narrower foliage of the new discovery, and its inflorescence, which may be entirely 1-flowered, distinguishes it from N. mira, and also the closely related N. deaniana.
The new plant was named N. gantungensis in honour of the mountain where it endemically occurs. Since no other Nepenthes taxa occur at high altitudes on the upper slopes of Mount Gantung, N. gantungensis may easily be recognised in the wild.
Nepenthes gantungensis grows mainly in low growing upper montane scrub above 1650 m on the summit and summit ridge of Mount Gantung. Etiolated climbing plants also grow in shrubby montane forest above 1600 m. When growing in shade, plants form a climbing stem to canopy level. Specimens growing on the exposed summit and summit ridge form stunted and compact growths, but flower profusely. The most vigorous populations grow in sheltered scrub, amongst boulders just below the summit of Mount Gantung.
The formal description of Nepenthes gantungensis is published in Carnivorous Plants and their Habitats Volume Two by Stewart McPherson.
Detailed information and several photos also feature in both volumes of Carnivorous Plants and their Habitats. 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 new plant!