Wiser Posted October 1, 2011 Report Share Posted October 1, 2011 The first time I can remember Nepenthes making the FT!! Interesting article: My link Wiser Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Caldwell Posted October 2, 2011 Report Share Posted October 2, 2011 Does anyone know which surface on a Nepenthes pitcher they're talking about? Is it the peristome, or part of the inner surface of the pitcher? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James O'Neill Posted October 2, 2011 Report Share Posted October 2, 2011 I would imagine the upper part of the interior. It does seem pretty water repellent. There's an awful lot more we can learn from nature! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Green Posted October 2, 2011 Report Share Posted October 2, 2011 If you follow the link in Kiwi Earls earlier post http://www.cpukforum.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=43772 You will get a fuller and more detailed info than in this newspaper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel G Posted October 2, 2011 Report Share Posted October 2, 2011 I was sure if heard the same about Sarracenia... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Caldwell Posted October 3, 2011 Report Share Posted October 3, 2011 If you follow the link in Kiwi Earls earlier post http://www.cpukforum.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=43772 You will get a fuller and more detailed info than in this newspaper Thanks Phil, it sounds to me like they're talking about the peristome. I've read that it works much more efficiently in high humidity or when it's wet, which seems to be what they're describing in these articles. So if I understand correctly, they're saying that in addition to being smooth and inherently slippery, the peristome has water-resistant properties that work to make it even slipperier by ensuring that any moisture between an insect's foot and the peristome will slide over the peristome's surface and prevent traction. Devilishly evil. Cheers, Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Evans Posted October 3, 2011 Report Share Posted October 3, 2011 The perfect trap in a place where the air and most surfaces are almost always humid and damp. It also means Nepenthes traps don't function properly in drier places though... While still able to grow, the plants might loose one of their main advantages in drier locations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Caldwell Posted October 4, 2011 Report Share Posted October 4, 2011 (edited) The perfect trap in a place where the air and most surfaces are almost always humid and damp. It also means Nepenthes traps don't function properly in drier places though... While still able to grow, the plants might loose one of their main advantages in drier locations. True - that's what artificial fertilisers are for :-) Their trap has made an ingenious use of the most abunant local resource - water. We all know that water can make things slippery, but on this tiny scale insects have the advantage, with their ridiculous size-to-weight ratio and intricate claws. Nepenthes have maintained their own advantage by finding a way to turn water into a lubricant that even works on this minute scale. And now human scientists are proud of replicating the achievment. Cheers, Tim Edited October 4, 2011 by Tim Caldwell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manders Posted October 4, 2011 Report Share Posted October 4, 2011 (edited) I was sure if heard the same about Sarracenia... Your there was, but in the original it was nepenthes, when did journalists ever get anything right? Edited October 4, 2011 by manders Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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