What's new
TerraForums Venus Flytrap, Nepenthes, Drosera and more talk

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

My Aristolochia is going crazy with flowers. Since they looked very similar to the pitchers of N. lowii (even though N. aristolochioides is named after this genus) I decided to half one. This brought me to this set of conclusions.
But first a brief discription of the flower. The flower has a large landing pad that is normally perpindicular to the ground. it protudes slightly out at the opening to the flower which insects must crawl inside to pollinate the flower. Short, semi-stiff white downward pointing hairs line this passage as if to prevent escape. Since it has been raining for a couple days some water entered the bulbous chasm this passage leads too. Several small crawling and flying insects were seen floating in this (all were dead). The hairs line every inch of this chasm also and all face the bottom of it. Once the insect has struggled through this it must reach the downward pointing stigma, stamens, etc. But reight before this is the "prize". Dark brown dectar glands secrete a sticky nectar just below the stigma, etc. The area around the stigma is slightly glabrous (waxy). Two small flying insects (gnats?) were seen glued to this nectar.
With this information at hand I see no reason to believe that it would be a major jump for the plants to become carnivorous. They are acually quite amazing with a semi-leaf (rounded pressed against the stem) where ever a flower grows from the stem. I beleve these plants may catch insects on purpose, other wise what would be the purpose of the downward pointing hairs and bulbous bottom? I do not beleve they are true carnivores but further tests may prove them to be capturing insects or perhaps the circumstances surrounding my plant my be unique. I will of course keep studying this plant.
Tre Bond
 
I have Aristolochia grandiflora
 
They use insects in an elaborate manor to pollinate the flowers. Very different from Nepenthes however.
 
nope. alot of orchids are like that too.

i'd love to see a slideshow of the evolution of nepenthes from the most primitive to the most modern. that would be awesome!
 
Back
Top