Nepenthes monticola
Synonymy
Nepenthes monticola in McPherson, New Nepenthes 1: 543 (-553; figs. 483-491). 2011 [The specific epithet is derived from the Latin montanus (mountain) and -cola (dweller), with reference to the high montane forest habitats from which this taxon is known.B]. sec. Robinson & al. 2011
- Holotype (designated by Robinson, A.S., Nerz, J., Wistuba, A., Mansur, M. & McPherson, S. R. 20111): van Leeuwen 19834 (BO)
- 1. Robinson, A.S., Nerz, J., Wistuba, A., Mansur, M. & McPherson, S. R. 2011: Nepenthes lamii Jebb & Cheek, an emended description resulting from the separation of a two-species complex, and the introduction of Nepenthes monticola, a new species of highland pitcher plant from New Guinea, pp. 522-555. – In: McPherson, S. R., New Nepenthes 1. – Poole: Redfern Natural History Productions, Poole
Description
Stems generally up to 4 m tall, strongly climbing, angular in cross section, up to 6 mm in diameter, internodes up to 2 cm long in rosettes, up to 15 cm long in climbing stems. The stem is generally red in colour. Leaves of rosettes thinly coriaceous, lanceolate to linear, 7-12 cm long and 1.8-3 cm wide. Apex of lamina generally acuminate, with a sessile base, clasping the stem by up to ½ its circumference and slightly decurrent. Leaves of climbing stems similar, but more markedly linear, up to 15 cm long, with an attenuate base that becomes strongly decurrent for up to 2 cm, meeting as convergent wings on the opposite side. Longitudinal veins generally inconspicuous, 2(-3) in outer ¼ of lamina. Tendrils generally shorter than pitcher height, 5-12 cm long and uncoiled in rosettes, 10-20 cm long and strongly coiling in climbing stems, up to 2 mm in diameter and not glandular. The foliage is generally dark green, with a reddish midrib and pinkish to red colouration on the adaxial surface of the leaves.
Lower pitchers narrowly ovate in the lower half, narrowing to form a marked waist, cylindric above with a slight constriction below the pitcher opening, up to 12 cm tall and 3.5 cm wide. Wings narrow, to 4 mm wide, with fringe elements up to 7 mm long, spaced 1-3 mm apart. The pitcher opening is positioned at an oblique angle ca. 40° from horizontal, slightly concave in profile, orbicular to broadly ovate and up to 2.5 cm across. The peristome is cylindric, when narrow, to slightly flattened, 2-5 mm across, and of relatively uniform width, but occasionally widening slightly towards the sides and rear of the pitcher where it rises to meet the lid without forming an appreciable column. The peristome is striate, with fine ribs up to 0.1 mm high and 0.2 mm apart, with very fine, almost inconspicuous teeth on the inner margin. The lid is planiform to frequently concave, broadly elliptic with an obtuse to rounded apex and cordate base, up to 4 cm long and 3 cm wide, lacking appendages but with very numerous glands, up to 0.1 mm across, at a density of ca. 1400-2000 cm-². The spur is simple and 2-4 mm long. The pitcher exterior in generally yellowish green, liberally speckled or suffused with red, or entirely red with darker red blotching. The peristome is usually orange to red in colour and not generally striped.
Upper pitchers narrowly ovate in the basal 1/5-1/4, narrowing to form a slight hip and cylindrical above, becoming narrowly infundibular towards the pitcher opening, up to 18 cm tall and 5 cm wide, but usually smaller. The ventral surface is flattened, particularly from the midsection towards the tendril, and punctuated on either side by the wings, which are reduced to prominent ridges. The peristome is of a more uniform width than in the lower pitchers, slightly flattened and up to 5 mm across. The lid is similar to that of the lower pitchers, but proportionally larger, up to 5 cm long and 4 cm wide. The pitcher exterior ranges from pale, yellow with a reddish peristome to pure reddish, the former being much more common. The ventral ridges and the peristome often suffuse dark red with age.
Inflorescence a racemose panicle. Male inflorescence up to 20 cm long, 1.5-3 mm in diameter, peduncle 3-8 cm long, rachis up to 17 cm long, with ca. 65-80 flowers borne on 1-flowered partial peduncles up to 10 mm long, lacking bracts. Tepals elliptic, with an acute apex, up to 3 mm long and 2 mm wide, androphore 1-1.5 mm long. Female inflorescence up to 14 cm long, 1.5-3 mm in diameter, peduncle up to 8 cm long, rachis 3-6 cm long, with ca. 15-20 flowers borne on 1-flowered partial peduncles up to 6 mm long, lacking bracts. Tepals narrowly elliptic, with an acute apex to obtuse apex, up to 2 mm long and 1 mm wide.
Indumentum generally absent, with very short, sparse, inconspicuous caducous black hairs 0.1-0.3 mm long sometimes present on the abaxial surface of the leaves, the pitcher exterior, tendrils and pitcher buds.A
Lower pitchers narrowly ovate in the lower half, narrowing to form a marked waist, cylindric above with a slight constriction below the pitcher opening, up to 12 cm tall and 3.5 cm wide. Wings narrow, to 4 mm wide, with fringe elements up to 7 mm long, spaced 1-3 mm apart. The pitcher opening is positioned at an oblique angle ca. 40° from horizontal, slightly concave in profile, orbicular to broadly ovate and up to 2.5 cm across. The peristome is cylindric, when narrow, to slightly flattened, 2-5 mm across, and of relatively uniform width, but occasionally widening slightly towards the sides and rear of the pitcher where it rises to meet the lid without forming an appreciable column. The peristome is striate, with fine ribs up to 0.1 mm high and 0.2 mm apart, with very fine, almost inconspicuous teeth on the inner margin. The lid is planiform to frequently concave, broadly elliptic with an obtuse to rounded apex and cordate base, up to 4 cm long and 3 cm wide, lacking appendages but with very numerous glands, up to 0.1 mm across, at a density of ca. 1400-2000 cm-². The spur is simple and 2-4 mm long. The pitcher exterior in generally yellowish green, liberally speckled or suffused with red, or entirely red with darker red blotching. The peristome is usually orange to red in colour and not generally striped.
Upper pitchers narrowly ovate in the basal 1/5-1/4, narrowing to form a slight hip and cylindrical above, becoming narrowly infundibular towards the pitcher opening, up to 18 cm tall and 5 cm wide, but usually smaller. The ventral surface is flattened, particularly from the midsection towards the tendril, and punctuated on either side by the wings, which are reduced to prominent ridges. The peristome is of a more uniform width than in the lower pitchers, slightly flattened and up to 5 mm across. The lid is similar to that of the lower pitchers, but proportionally larger, up to 5 cm long and 4 cm wide. The pitcher exterior ranges from pale, yellow with a reddish peristome to pure reddish, the former being much more common. The ventral ridges and the peristome often suffuse dark red with age.
Inflorescence a racemose panicle. Male inflorescence up to 20 cm long, 1.5-3 mm in diameter, peduncle 3-8 cm long, rachis up to 17 cm long, with ca. 65-80 flowers borne on 1-flowered partial peduncles up to 10 mm long, lacking bracts. Tepals elliptic, with an acute apex, up to 3 mm long and 2 mm wide, androphore 1-1.5 mm long. Female inflorescence up to 14 cm long, 1.5-3 mm in diameter, peduncle up to 8 cm long, rachis 3-6 cm long, with ca. 15-20 flowers borne on 1-flowered partial peduncles up to 6 mm long, lacking bracts. Tepals narrowly elliptic, with an acute apex to obtuse apex, up to 2 mm long and 1 mm wide.
Indumentum generally absent, with very short, sparse, inconspicuous caducous black hairs 0.1-0.3 mm long sometimes present on the abaxial surface of the leaves, the pitcher exterior, tendrils and pitcher buds.A
Distribution (General)
Indonesia, New Guinea, West Papua, Papua Province, west central highlands.A
Habitat
Terrestrial, occasionally epiphytic; favours bright conditions amongst stunted, mossy, upper montane vegetation 1400-2620 m a.s.l.A
Bibliography
A. Robinson, A.S., Nerz, J., Wistuba, A., Mansur, M. & McPherson, S. R. 2011: Nepenthes lamii Jebb & Cheek, an emended description resulting from the separation of a two-species complex, and the introduction of Nepenthes monticola, a new species of highland pitcher plant from New Guinea, pp. 522-555. – In: McPherson, S. R., New Nepenthes 1. – Poole: Redfern Natural History Productions, Poole
Specimens
| Country | Date | Collector + collecting number | Herbaria | Type | Scan | Derivatives | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| van Leeuwen 19834 | BO |  | |||||
| Citation: van Leeuwen 19834 Specimen summary: BO Holotype of Nepenthes monticola A.S.Rob., Wistuba, Nerz, M.Mansur & S.McPherson | |||||||