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White Collar Rednecks

Hi y'all,

I received this N. albomarginata red, back in November of last year from CZ Plants. This plant is growing in a five inch pot.

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At first the pitchers didn't make the white collars that this plant is known for. But as larger pitchers were made, the white collar became more prominent on each successive pitcher.

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This is an easy and worthwhile plant to grow that does quite well in intermediate conditions. :)

dvg
 
Massmorels should be in here drooling any second now.....;)


I have to say that I've never seen a more beautiful albo than that one. :hail:
 
Interesting... why would a plant make any part specifically white? White means no chlorophyll, so what's the point in making a tiny section un-photosynthetic?

Edit: Whoops!
 
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Interesting... why would a plant make any part specifically white? White means no chlorophyll, so what's the point in making a tiny section un-photosynthetic?

Some people think that it attracts termites, which are one of the plants main prey items.
 
idk why it does that, but im sure glad it does. spectacular plant you got there dvg. and yea im surprised mass hasnt already posted.
 
Pitchers don't photosynthesize.
 
Pitcher Plants Of The Old World Volume One & Two state that the white collar is used for termites. The book also says that the white band is called "trichomes."

"Nepenthes albomarginata has evolved a highly specialized (woah.. spelled specialised in the book) trapping process that is adapted specifically to the trapping of termites. The collar of trichomes below the peristome acts as edible bait and lures termites to the trap." (259, Pitcher plants of the old world volume one, Stewart McPherson)
 
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Pitchers don't photosynthesize.

That's news to me. o_O


A lot of pitchers have green color... is it just pigments and not chlorophyll?
 
I've read leucophylla sarrs are white to attract bugs, and they're REALLY good at it.

Maybe a similar adaptation with this plant- ie white-around-the-collar to draw flying insects in? Just a guess...???

Beautiful nep though! I've never seen one of those.

Interesting... why would a plant make any part specifically white? White means no chlorophyll, so what's the point in making a tiny section un-photosynthetic?

Edit: Whoops!
 
  • #10
I'm not gonna lie, I didn't know a thing about Albo's until I read this thread. I always thought the white collar was just like an impression left by the lid when it came off and would go away as the pitcher develops.

I'm a silly noob.
 
  • #11
:drool::clap::drool:

Gorgeous! I've got some 'Red' (Penangs) coming from Damon and some 'Red' (Gunung Jerai).. (which is basically across the street from Penang) coming from Dodge. My purple/black 'Kuching Spotted' is inflating a couple pitchers right now. I CAN'T WAIT!!
 
  • #12
Pitchers don't photosynthesize.

Has that ever been proven?
I remember reading something about that years ago..but I dont think its a confirmed fact that nep pitchers dont photosynthesize *at all*..

a quick google search didnt bring up much..just this:

http://aob.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/100/3/527

which says:

Nepenthes possesses a cluster of characters that could result in reduced photosynthesis in the pitcher and be responsible for carnivorous function of the leaf: replacement of chlorophyll-containing cells with digestive glands, low chlorophyll and nitrogen concentration, compact mesophyll with a small portion of intercellular spaces, absence of palisade parenchyma and low stomatal density.

(emphasis mine)

Scot
 
  • #13
Not all green pigment is evidence of chlorophyll. Cucumbers are green but don't photosynthesize for example.
Also, red leaved plants can still photosynthesize as can variegated leaves with white in them.
 
  • #14
Thanks for the comments guys,

This is considered a lowland plant but grows under lights in my basement in intermediate conditions. It isn't under high level lighting and actually sits off to the side from any direct fluorescent lighting.

The white collar is made up of edible trichomes, that termites apparently love to munch on. However, the odd clumsy termite does manage to stumble over the edge of some of these peristomes and drop down into the pitchers, making this a win/win feeding proposition for both species.

dvg
 
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  • #15
BTW, that's a beautiful plant, foliage and pitchers. (adds to want list)
 
  • #16
BTW, that's a beautiful plant, foliage and pitchers. (adds to want list)

Thanks Justjack,

I thoroughly endorse getting this plant. You'll be happy you did.

It's not only very easy to grow, but it's easy on the eyes as well.

dvg
 
  • #17
Thanks Justjack,

I thoroughly endorse getting this plant. You'll be happy you did.

It's not only very easy to grow, but it's easy on the eyes as well.

dvg

Oooooh, that's how I likey my plants, women, art...
 
  • #18
You can grow women and art?
 
  • #19
Gorgeous!!! Quite nice, indeed!
I think one of those with a nice green one would make a cute Christmas arrangement :jester:
 
  • #20
Thanks i<3carnivores,

That arrangement would certainly be fitting for seasonal decor indeed.:-D

You can grow women and art?

Ngantnier, I think Justjack cultivates his plants, but has also cultivated a taste for fine wine, fine art and mighty fine women.;)

dvg
 
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