Sockhom Posted August 31, 2009 Report Share Posted August 31, 2009 (edited) 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. Edited August 17, 2010 by Sockhom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Binataboy Posted September 1, 2009 Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Green Posted September 1, 2009 Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christerb Posted September 1, 2009 Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manders Posted September 1, 2009 Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 That one has to g on the wish list! Nice one Francois! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan P Posted September 2, 2009 Report Share Posted September 2, 2009 (edited) Another great find François, and Jeremy Holden, It looks like a spendid plant Edited September 2, 2009 by Stefano Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sockhom Posted September 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2009 Glad you like the plant. It was very hard to go up there. ;-)) François. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Earl Posted September 3, 2009 Report Share Posted September 3, 2009 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....?) Glad you like the plant.It was very hard to go up there. ;-)) François. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benenthes Posted October 10, 2009 Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heatherly Posted October 10, 2009 Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 Amazing pictures! Thank you for sharing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Javier Fernandez Diaz Posted October 10, 2009 Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 Thanks you!Is very important for the world de found of new species, thanks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sockhom Posted March 20, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2010 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: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sockhom Posted March 20, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsivertsen Posted March 20, 2010 Report Share Posted March 20, 2010 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavindil Posted March 20, 2010 Report Share Posted March 20, 2010 Nice plant, perhaps in some years this plant can be in cultivation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sockhom Posted March 21, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2010 Thanks! Can someone please confirm the ID of the Hydnophytum and the Dischidia (especially the non mymecophyle one)? François. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sockhom Posted August 3, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2010 (edited) Hello, This species has been formerly described and the description will be published in Stewart McPherson new books. These will be available in the following days. "Nepenthes holdenii (Nepenthaceae), a new species of pyrophytic pitcher plant from the Cardamom Mountains of Cambodia. 2010. Mey F. S., M. Catalano, C. Clarke, A. Robinson, A. Fleischmann, S. McPherson. In: S.R. McPherson. Carnivorous Plants in their Habitats. Redfern Natural History Productions Ltd., Poole (Appendix). The paper also provides a definition of the "Nepenthes thorelii aggregate" - the group of all the "thorelii" related species and a key to separate them. All the best, François. Edited August 3, 2010 by Sockhom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Evans Posted August 4, 2010 Report Share Posted August 4, 2010 (edited) This species has been formerly described and the description will be published in Stewart McPherson new books. "Nepenthes holdenii (Nepenthaceae), a new species of pyrophytic pitcher plant from the Cardamom Mountains of Cambodia. Yeah! Great job François, Marcello, Charles, Alastair, Andreas and Stewart! Its fantastic to see the results, the articles and new species, from all your hard work. Thanks guys. Never had a doubt N. holdenii was a new species, but I didn't realize Jeremy Holden is/was working as part of a larger group specifically studying Cambodian wildlife. This species seems quite different, being from an area with a four month dry period, this might be the most dry-tolerate species in the genus. Edited August 4, 2010 by Dave Evans Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sockhom Posted August 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2010 The descritpion is now available online: "Nepenthes holdenii (Nepenthaceae), a new pyrophytic species of pitcher plant from the Cardamom Mountains of Cambodia. 2010. Mey F. S., M. Catalano, C. Clarke, A. Robinson, A. Fleischmann, S. McPherson. In: S.R. McPherson. Carnivorous Plants in their Habitats. Redfern Natural History Productions Ltd., Poole (Appendix). http://www.carnivorousplants.it/desc.holdenii.pdf François. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fernando Rivadavia Posted August 18, 2010 Report Share Posted August 18, 2010 Congratulations François!! ;) Fernando Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spotc Posted August 18, 2010 Report Share Posted August 18, 2010 As much as I hate to publically agree with Fernando, top effort Francois! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
numpty Posted August 18, 2010 Report Share Posted August 18, 2010 A very interesting read. I look forward to seeing your write-up on the undescribed "carpet" Nepenthes from the Cardamoms next year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Earl Posted August 19, 2010 Report Share Posted August 19, 2010 Hi François Read your papers on the new species. Well done my friend. Earl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lamde83 Posted August 20, 2010 Report Share Posted August 20, 2010 really nice trip ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sockhom Posted August 20, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2010 (edited) Thanks a lot guys! Here is a shot of the tuber rootstock that make the species of that group so peculiar: And a couple of shots showing a nice intermediate pitcher: and the average size of an upper pitcher: Cheers, François. Edited August 20, 2010 by Sockhom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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