Nepenthes lowii x truncata
A beast of a tropical pitcher plant, Nepenthes lowii x truncata adopts the most remarkable characteristics of both parents – huge, peristomed N. truncata-esque pitchers and gaping N. lowii mouth and lid. As many hybrids tend to be, it is remarkably robust, and does well as an intermediate plant. While you might be able to adapt it to windowsill conditions, I wouldn’t recommend it. N. lowii x truncata gets massive and will take over any room when given tender love and care! I’ve witnessed specimens clocking in at over 3 feet (1 meter) in diameter petiole-tip-to-petiole-tip.
Nepenthes lowii x truncata is a manmade hybrid. The parent plants don’t naturally come into contact in the wild, with N. lowii found on Mt. Kinabalu in Sabah Malaysia, and N. truncata on the islands of Mindanao, Leyte, and Dingat in the Phillipines. The original cross of N. lowii x truncata was created in 2001 and put on sale in 2003. This batch of plants yielded N. lowii x truncata giant, a variant larger than the rest and only about 4 entered collections at the time. From there, N. lowii x truncata wide peristome and N. lowii x truncata squat were selected for.
All of the variants are remarkable, and below you’ll find upper pitcher photos of N. lowii x truncata wide peristome.
Unique biology of Nepenthes lowii x truncata
Trap characteristics
There is variation even among the specific large, wide peristome, and squat crosses with some plants producing deep purple lower pitchers and others producing green pitcher bodies.
Upper pitcher shape of Nepenthes lowii x truncata is obviously an internal struggle between the oblong, bending N. lowii mother and the vertically oriented, ribbing of N. truncata father. The pitcher mouth is oblong, tends to be more structured than pure N. lowii, and inherits a striped red peristome from N. truncata. All plants produce a beautiful, deep wine red interior which begs prey to come take a closer look.
Like N. lowii, the plants produce the white snail-egg-looking exudate on the underside of their lids, though quantities seem to be reduced when compared to pure lowii. Underlid hairs are also produced, with some variants being fuzzier than others.
Other notable characteristics
As previously highlighted, this tropical pitcher plant grows well in intermediate conditions. Rosettes are slow growing until they hit about 5 inches (12.7 cm) in diameter, and that’s when they kick into overdrive, rapidly reaching those 3+ feet (1 m) diameters. They enjoy bright, indirect light – which is needed to penetrate their canopy of thick leaves
As with many Nepenthes, they respond well to light fertilization – even of the roots.
*Photos 3 and 4 featuring N. lowii x truncata ‘Giant’ and a lower pitcher of N. lowii x truncata ‘squat’ graciously provided by Domonick Gravine of Red Leaf Exotics!
Other Nepenthes varieties, species & hybrids
Nepenthes aristolochioides
With unique domed pitcher shape and outwardly-facing mouth, Nepenthes aristolochioides is instantly recognizable, and with pitfall, lobster, and flypaper traps, the tropical pitcher plant is a jack of all traps. So beautiful, so deadly.
Nepenthes alata
Nepenthes alata is a highly variable, widely grown, and hugely rewarding tropical pitcher plant. It's great for beginners looking to cut their teeth on an easy-to-grow and pitcher-prolific species.
Nepenthes rafflesiana
A heavy-hitting lowland Nepenthes species with broad variability and even broader size. It was treasured by Victorian-era botanists for its beauty and it's easy to see why, even today.
Nepenthes ampullaria
To say Nepenthes ampullaria is unique, among a sea of unique Nepenthes, would be an understatement. The plant leans heavily on a vegetarian diet, playing host to critters that help it digest debris that falls from the forest canopy above.
Nepenthes albomarginata
Nepenthes albomarginata looks like it’s going on a date, all dressed up with a classy white collar. The characteristic band of white under the peristome serves a unique purpose, though - and it’s not for attracting the ladies or gents - rather, a specific type of prey.
Nepenthes edwardsiana
Known as the "splendid pitcher plant" for good reason. It combines the most beastly characteristics of a flanged, spikey peristome with the handsome refinement of a cylindrical pitcher shape. It's like a lion in a tuxedo - it will bite your face off, but will do it with style.
Nepenthes robcantleyi x hamata
This gorgeous hybrid Nepenthes is what happens when you take two beauties, N. robcantleyi and N. hamata, and make a celebrity baby.
Nepenthes ramispina
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Nepenthes lowii x truncata
This robust Nepenthes hybrid adopts the huge peristome of N. truncata pitchers and gaping mouth and lid of N. lowii. It's truly one beast of a tropical pitcher plant!
Nepenthes hamata
With knife-sharp hooks for a peristome, Nepenthes hamata is insect nightmare fuel and, hands-down, the most vicious looking tropical pitcher plant. If I were an insect, I'd refer to this as a Nope-enthes.
Nepenthes bicalcarata
Ever imagine what would happen if a vampire bit a Nepenthes? Really? Me too! Well, wonder no more. Nepenthes bicalcarata is our fanged tropical pitcher plant.
Tropical Pitcher Plant
The Tropical Pitcher Plant, or Nepenthes, is an exotic and refined bug catcher. Some even grow large enough to catch small mammals.
Nepenthes lowii
The ol' toilet bowl for tree shrews. This tropical pitcher plant is famous for its odd upper pitchers that are not only shaped like toilets, but also act as actual toilets to climbing critters lucky enough to stumble across their secrets.
Nepenthes inermis
With upper pitchers like dainty cocktail glasses filled with honey, Nepenthes inermis is a fascinating carnivorous plant that uses both flypaper and pitfall trapping mechanisms.
Nepenthes robcantleyi
With a peristome you can serve dinner off of, pitcher volume you can cary 2 liters of soda in, and a hunger that will decimate annoying insects, it's the perfect picnic guest
Nepenthes sanguinea
Translation of sanguinea is "blood red" - suiting name for a Nepenthes with pitchers so red that they almost appear purple.
Nepenthes x ventrata
The name is a combination of "ventricosa" and "alata," like "Brangelina" but with Nepenthes. Because it's easy to grow, popular in cultivation, and has a celebrity name, it's a star in my book.
Nepenthes veitchii
is an extravagant, fuzzy tropical pitcher plant that hugs and climbs tree trunks as an epiphyte.
Nepenthes mikei
Nepenthes mikei Nepenthes mikei is a beautiful highland tropical pitcher plant discovered in 1989 by Bruce Salmon, Ricky Maulder, and Mike Hopkins on an expedition to Mount Pangulubao in Sumatra. The plant was first [...]
Nepenthes truncata
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