Nepenthes rafflesiana
Nepenthes rafflesiana is a heavy-hitting lowland species with broad variability and even broader size. Leaves reach one to two feet (0.3-0.6 m) in length, and thrive in humid greenhouses with hot days and warm nights. Hailing from Malaysia, Sumatra, Singapore, and Borneo (Brunei, Sabah, and Sarawak) at an elevation of 3,900 feet (1,200 m) and below, N. rafflesiana has several named forms that may vary in size and color, but are all united by their beauty. It is neighbors (and hybridizes) with other lowland Nepenthes like N. ablomarginata, N. ampullaria, N. bicalcarata, N. gracilis, and N. mirabilis.
Nepenthes rafflesiana was named in honor of Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, a British explorer, colonial leader, and founder of Singapore. The plant has gone by many other names in the past, like N. sanderiana, N. sanderi, N. raflesea, N. nigro-purpurea, or N. hemsleyana.
Dr. William Jack discovered Nepenthes rafflesiana in 1819 writing about the plant and its discovery:
It is impossible to conceive anything more beautiful than the approach to Singapore, through the Archipelago of islands that lie at the extremity of the Straits of Malacca. Seas of glass wind among innumerable islets, clothed in all the luxuriance of tropical vegetation and basking in the full brilliance of a tropical sky… I have just arrived in time to explore the woods before they yield to the axe, and have made many interesting discoveries, particularly of two new and splendid species of pitcher-plant [Nepenthes rafflesiana and Nepenthes ampullaria], far surpassing any yet known in Europe. I have completed two perfect drawings of them with ample descriptions. Sir S. Raffles is anxious that we should give publicity to our researches in one way or other and has planned bringing out something at Bencoolen. He proposes sending home these pitcher-plants that such splendid things may appear under all the advantages of elegant execution, by way of attracting attention to the subject of Sumatran botany.
Unique biology of Nepenthes rafflesiana
Trap characteristics
Most forms have chunky lower pitchers with robust wings, a tall neck formed by a beautifully striped peristome itself comprised of fine spine-like teeth. Atop the neck is a large lid that could be used as an umbrella for mice…. Or big ol’ pitchers.
Smaller varieties have lower pitchers around 5 inches (12.5 cm) in size that act a canvas for beautiful red and purple splotching. Remember, Nepenthes rafflesiana is a variable species, and pitchers vary in color and size, with some over 1 foot (0.3 m) in length. The showiest forms will drop these massive pitchers down on 5 foot (1.7 m) tendrils and beg you to drop last night’s leftovers in them.
Nepenthes rafflesiana peristomes are also variable, but generally share a characteristic shape with a long neck, ovalish mouth and, what I can only describe as, a strong “chin” at the bottom. This is especially pronounced in upper pitchers which tend to lose some darker coloration in lieu of a greenish-yellow hue.
This plant’s beauty was prized by Victorian botanists and horticulturists, being described by Houlston;
South America may boast of its gigantic water lily, Sumatra of its stupendous Rafflesia arnoldii, or Trinidad of its curious vegetable butterfly, all of which are alike vegetable wonders; but not less amazing than any of these in the estimation of horticulturists, is this singular and most superb species of Nepenthes. Whoever has seen this plant in a living stat must undoubtedly be constrained to consider it as one of the most astonishing productions of the whole vegetable kingdom. The resemblance which a portion of it bear to our more familiar domestic utensils leaves a lasting impression on the minds of spectators that is not easily eradicated.
Other notable characteristics
Nepenthes rafflesiana is a terrestrial Nepenthes – no tree-climbing for this pitcher plant. It does produce long, branched stems up to about 50 feet (15 m) that scramble across low-lying vegetation on forest floors. The plant is hearty, and adapted to thrive in generally lower light conditions and numerous soil types. You’ll want to grow it in conditions brighter than 50% shade in cultivation to avoid spindly leaves and floppy pitchers. You’ll find it naturally growing in humus, peat, clay, sand, and laterite. This makes it a great candidate to experiment with, but you can keep it simple and stick to the long-fibered sphagnum moss.
Some unique characteristics of the multiple forms of Nepenthes rafflesiana:
• The form Nepenthes rafflesiana var. nigropurpurea, as described by Maxwell Masters in 1882, has pitchers that are deep red with lime green speckling and green wings.
• N. rafflesiana var. nivea, collected by Frederick Burbidge, has pitchers that are creamy with red speckling and white stem hairs.
• N. rafflesiana var. nivea elongata is similar to the above, but with narrower, taller pitchers.
• N. rafflesiana var. alata has fun wings that run all the way down the pitcher and continue into the upper portion of the tendril. This variety contains variations with pitcher color ranging from green, touched with purple peristome and wing highlights, to red-blotched.
This list likely to grow due to the variability of Nepenthes rafflesiana. I will add more varieties in the future.
Other Nepenthes 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
This tropical pitcher plant has black pitchers and a branched spur on the backside of where the lid and peristome meet. - Kind of like cowboy spurs, but less pokey.
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
Nepenthes truncata A grand lowland Nepenthes, N. truncata is known to swallow entire rats whole. How can you tell? The smell, unfortunately. And the bones. They don't digest the calcium-heavy bones. Nepenthes truncata is [...]