Nepenthes

The first recorded observations on Nepenthes by a westerner are those by Etienne de Flacourt, Governor of a French colony in Madagascar in 1658. The name "Nepenthes" was coined in 1737 by Linnaeus to recall a narcotic (nepenthe) with which Helen of Troy snockered her guests. Most people use the Latin name as a common name, although folks who avoid using Latin verbatim coin ad hoc names such as "tropical pitcher plants" or "monkey cups," ad nauseum.

Nepenthes plants are clambering vines with (usually) long and somewhat unremarkable sword-shaped leaves. At the tip of each leaf is a tendril that often has a little looping twist in it. This twist lets the plant hang onto surrounding vegetation for support. The tendril is tipped by a pitcher---the carnivorous pitfall trap.The details of the Nepenthes pitchers naturally varies with species. But the general plan is a watertight pitcher with slippery walls that are very difficult for prey to scale once they have fallen inside. The mouth of the pitcher is adorned with a ribbed structure called a peristome. This peristome helps retain prey, and also conducts prey into the pitcher. A pitcher lid hangs over the pitcher opening. This may help keep rain out of the pitcher, but I think its primary function is to attract prey by its attractive coloration and nectar glands. Prey hanging onto the underside of the lid are in extreme danger of plummeting into the pitcher.

It is almost certain that Nepenthes plants produce their own digestive enzymes (called nepenthesin), but this has not quite been proven despite a number of attempts to do so. One thing is certain, though. There are many species of animals that have learned how to survive in the Nepenthes pitchers, call them home, and probably help in the breakdown of prey captured by the pitchers. In fact, many types of animals, including mosquito larvae, diving ants, crab spiders, and even frogs benefit from close relationships with Nepenthes. It is an extremely interesting field of research.