Hello,


This is my pleasure to introduce you to a new species of Nepenthaceae from the Cardamom Mountains, a remote range in Cambodia which has just recently been open to scientists (since the late 1990's). Before, those mountains were a Khmer rouge stronghold zone filled with landmines and tigers. The landmines are still there but the tigers are far less numerous...
It has been discovered by photographer and biologist Jeremy Holden while he was on expedition for Flora Fauna International (FFI) in the early 2000's.

I have been to the Cardamom Mountains with Jeremy a few weeks ago to check that undiagnosed taxon which will be described as a new species.
Herbarium samples have been legally collected and the plant is now on the process of being described. I hope to publish it in the near future. Until then, people will be asked to refer to it as Nepenthes spec. Pursat (from the Pursat province of Cambodia).

The plant belongs to the pyrophytic group of Indochinese Nepenthaceae (ie smilesii, kongkandana ined, bokorensis, thorelii, kampotiana) and like the other species of the group develop underground tubers and grow in places which are frequently exposed to fires and drought.

It is easily recognizable in the wild.

Both male and female inflorescences develop partial peduncles of two flowers which is unique in this group of species and reminiscent of the Malaysian Nepenthes sanguinea.
This species develop broadly infundibular upper pitchers (not cylindrical and there's no hip).
The mature lower pitchers are clearly ovoid and look like N. gymnamphora 's.
You will find below a selection of pictures but a complete field report will be available in the future through Marcello Catalano's site: Nepenthes of Thailand:
http://www.nepenthesofthailand.com/















This last picture has been taken by Jeremy Holden:


Truly,

François Mey.

It is great to see these areas getting explored at last. I can't wait to seee what other wonders will be found :)

Cheers
George

That's a nice one François. At last, one that looks really different to all the other IC Neps.

Do let us know when Marcello posts the field report.

Excellent find!

It looks like the uppers are quite variable, and - in my eyes - the similarity with its related species is evident. However, had I only seen the photos of the lowers without any info, I would have thought that it could be an sumatran species, very nice. Thanks for posting the photos.

Regards,

Christer

That one has to g on the wish list! Nice one Francois!

Another great find François, and Jeremy Holden, It looks like a spendid plant

Glad you like the plant.
It was very hard to go up there. ;-))


François.

Good thing you're not the kind to give up!
Must have been a fun trip.
(ps. How do I type ç on a keyboard....?)

nice find!!

I'd love to go out for once and explore the mountains of java or sumatra or somewhere there!

great job!
and goooooooood that you didn't give up!

All the best

ben

Amazing pictures! Thank you for sharing!

Thanks you!Is very important for the world de found of new species, thanks!!

Hello,

Here are pics of some ant-plants growing with this Cambodian Nepenthes.
Can someone, please confirm me the IDS of those.
I think there are Hydnophytum sp., Dischidia sp (one of them being D. rafflesiana).
Thanks a lot!


The habitat:

Great find François! Nice to see that you're becoming a well seasoned botanist getting into all these other amazing plants! heh heh, I must admit that I get off on ferns and orchids too, especially the smaller and unusual ones. Sometimes I'm like a kid in a candy store for the first time! ;) - Rich

Nice plant, perhaps in some years this plant can be in cultivation.

Thanks!

Can someone please confirm the ID of the Hydnophytum and the Dischidia (especially the non mymecophyle one)?


François.