Nepenthes pudica
Nepenthes pudica Dančák & Majeský
Nepenthes pudica is a tropical pitcher plant from North Kalimantan, Borneo, distinguished by its subterranean stems that bear functional underground pitchers. It grows at elevations of 1100–1300 m and produces few pitchers above ground. The species was described in 2022 by Dančák & Majeský.
Description
Nepenthes pudica is a terrestrial climber with climbing shoots up to 20 m long and underground basal shoots bearing reduced, achlorophyllous leaves with well-developed lower pitchers. Rosette leaves are chartaceous, up to 16 cm long, with uncoiled tendrils, while climbing shoot leaves are coriaceous, with coiled tendrils. Lower pitchers, produced exclusively on underground shoots, are 7–11 cm high, 3–5.5 cm wide, ventricose, and infundibular above. They are red, glabrous, and concealed from direct view. The species differs from N. hispida in having subterranean shoots, glabrous stems, and male flowers in pairs. The specific epithet refers to the hidden nature of the lower pitchers.
