Sugar glands

[Tony Paroubek]

Here are the pics of sugar glands I promised:
Tony

N. clipeata underside of leaf
<img src="http://www.exoticplantsplus.com/temppics/Clipunder.jpg">
N. clipeata topsurface of the same leaf showing the raised bumps
<img src="http://www.exoticplantsplus.com/temppics/Cliptop.jpg">
N. merrilliana underside of leaf.. they are not always dark colored!
<img src="http://www.exoticplantsplus.com/temppics/merrunder.jpg">
N. burbidgeae underside of the leaf... These have sugar secretions.
<img src="http://www.exoticplantsplus.com/temppics/burbunder.jpg">
N. burbidgeae closeup of sugar glob
<img src="http://www.exoticplantsplus.com/temppics/burbsugar.jpg">
N. clipeata pitcher. Sugar glands can be found on the tendrils and outside of the pitchers as well.
<img src="http://www.exoticplantsplus.com/temppics/Clip2.jpg">

[Stefano1]

what are sugar glands???

[eplants02]

They are glands that secrete the nectar to lure unsuspecting insects.

[nepenthes gracilis]

I always thought those bumps were underdeveloped parts of the leave. Now I know for positive! And I now know why my fingers are sticky after touching the "thought to be dew" http://www.**********.com/iBhtml/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif I learn something about Nepenthes new everyday. http://www.**********.com/iBhtml/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[mindmaze128]

I had confusion over those little dots too for a few months. I actually thought that they were scale on my N bicalcarata! (yeah, I know, what a dunce! http://www.**********.com/iBhtml/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif ) I almost destroyed the leaves trying to pry them off with a pin! :o If I had asked sooner, my plant probably wouldn't have gone into suspended animation for the past 4 months. *But thanks alot Tony, for those pictures. I'm finally 100% sure of what those bumps are on my merrilliana.

Joel

[whispersiren]

Great images, Tony!!! These are definitely the "blackheads" i was describing in that earlier posting.

http://www.**********.com/cgi-bin....pic=166 (http://www.**********.com/cgi-bin/ikonboard/topic.cgi?forum=23&topic=166)

Mine never secreted sticky nectar, but then again the fungacide probably destroyed it. (frown) My plant thanks you for saving it from future chemical tortures. (grin)

And I've learned to be more patient AND trusting, plus, its nice to know that other people are just as nuts. (grin)

Images speak 1000 words! THANKS again

[Gafoto]

All I know is Ventricosa's must have twice the usual amount of glands bcs mine is drooling all over itself. It's absolutely disgusting to see a plant trying as hard as it can to get insects drunk as skunks on this stuff. They should be ashamed of themselves. :cheesy: