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The Native
Nepenthes Species of Brunei
All
photography by Glyn and Gina Constant
| Visitor: |
The following
photographs and comments have been shared with us by Glyn
Constant, a hobby naturalist/photographer who is resident in
Brunei. His photographs represent many trips into the swamps and
back country of that beautiful land. We are indebted to Glyn and
Gina for sharing their work with the Internet community. Many of
the comments presented are taken directly from Glyn's
descriptions. Habitat information is supplied wherever possible.
We hope you will enjoy the work presented.
Your comments, corrections and questions are encouraged, bickell@idirect.com .
Please
note:
Export of Nepenthes seed, plants and cuttings from Brunei is not
permitted.
 N. ampullaria "Speckled" |
|
N. mirabilis var. echinostoma
This variation is the only type of mirabilis to be found in
Brunei and is
easily distinguishable form the normal species by the wide flared
peristome.
It invariably grows in swampy areas as it seems to prefer having
its roots
in wet conditions. A roadside plant in one of our towns was
growing from a
ditch and had spread out to climb up two or three nearby trees to
a height
of over 30 feet. The upper pitchers looked huge, at least 15
inches high.
Can be found in green and red variations.
 N. mirabilis peristome |
 N. mirabilis lower pitcher |
N. rafflesiana
Next to N. gracilis the most prolific species found in
Brunei. There are so many variations from the stunted dwarf
(var.minor) the stretched (var. elongata) to the huge (var.
giant). Pitcher colors vary from cream, green, speckled and red
with different colors of peristome and a different shaped lip all
adding to the confusion. The biggest I have seen was a giant 41
cm(17 inches) with a capacity of almost 2 liters. Upper pitchers
vary much in shape there although there is little variation of
the lower pitchers.
 N. rafflesiana color variation |
The species grows almost anywhere; swamp, silical sand, hillsides with poor soil etc. and, like gracilis seems to prefer growing in direct sunlight.
 N. rafflesiana upper pitcher |
 N. rafflesiana habitat and habit - upper pitchers |
 N. rafflesiana var. elongata upper pitcher |
 N. rafflesiana var. giant upper pitcher |
 N. hirsuta upper pitcher |
N.
hirsuta.
A highland species in
Brunei. The particular plant above was found at 1000ft growing in
damp mossy conditions and in complete shade. ( Although others report it
growing from sea level to 800 feet in Sarawak - Al)
N.
gracilis
Gracilis grows like a weed
and can be found on most roadsides. It grows in almost any
conditions, swamp, silica sand, barren hillsides with little
soil, etc. Pitchers are up to 6 inches high. An interesting
variation found rarely here is a dark red variety. The photo of
gracilis below was taken from about 12 inches away from this
small clump in a dry swamp. The biggest pitchers are no more than
1/2 inch high.
 N. gracilis clump in a dry swamp |
 N. gracilis lower pitcher |
N.
biclacarata. Easily
distinguished by the two fangs growing underneath the lid and by
the large hook growing on the back of the pitcher midway between
the peristome and the lid. The lower pitchers grow up to 10
inches high. A great delicacy for the villagers here used to be
rice cooked in the lower pitchers.
Bicalcarata grows in swampy conditions and in areas of poor soil.
It seems to like the sunlight.
 Biclacarata ground pitcher |
 Close up of fangs on upper pitcher. Thought to limit access to the pitcher contents by monkeys and other raiders. The hook on the back is thought to be the tip of the leaf petiole. |
 Bicalcarata upper pitcher |
Next,
find Nepenthes Natural Hybrid photography, page 2
Forward to Nepenthes page 2
Forward to Nepenthes page 3
Forward to Nepenthes page 4
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