Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Climber |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Local Conservation Status | Native hybrid |
|---|
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | This lowland hybrid is a climber. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Glossy, leathery leaves are spirally arranged. The leaf tip is modified to form a pitcher trap which catches insects. Pitchers will be more colorful and larger in bright light, compared to filtered light. The rim of the pitcher (known as a peristome) is wide, while the oval lid is erect or angled upwards. The color varies from green with red spots to dark red with green spots. |
| Habitat | It occurs in lowland tropics where its parent species Nepenthes rafflesiana and Nepenthes ampullaria co-exist. |
| Taxonomy | This hybrid is a cross between Nepenthes rafflesiana and Nepenthes ampullaria. It occurs naturally in the wild where there is overlap in the range of the parent species. |
| Cultivation | This plant should not be fertilized regularly, because it inhibits the production of pitchers. In the absence of insect prey, the pitchers can be fed tiny dabs of fish food paste (fish food ground into powder and mixed with a little water to form a paste). |
| Etymology | The specific epithet hookeriana honors Joseph Hooker, director of Kew Gardens from 1865-1885. Hooker travelled widely, collecting many tropical species which were added to Kew Gardens. |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast to Moderate |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Glossy / Shiny |
| Foliar Modification | Pitcher Trap |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Spiral |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
| Foliar Venation | Recticulate |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Acute |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 32776 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 7188 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
