Nepenthes lowii 3834534 217817366 2008-06-07T20:37:24Z Mgiganteus1 808022 expanded (carnivory section to be expanded later) {{Taxobox | color = lightgreen | name = ''Nepenthes lowii'' | status = VU | status_system = iucn2.3 | image = Murud N. lowii 30.jpg | image_width = 200px | image_caption = An upper pitcher of ''Nepenthes lowii'' from [[Mount Murud]] | regnum = [[Plant]]ae | divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]] | classis = [[Magnoliopsida]] | ordo = [[Caryophyllales]] | familia = [[Nepenthaceae]] | genus = ''[[Nepenthes]]'' | species = '''''N. lowii''''' | binomial = ''Nepenthes lowii'' | binomial_authority = [[Joseph Dalton Hooker|Hook.f.]] (1859) | synonyms = *''Nepenthes macfarlanei''<br><small>''auct. non'' [[William Hemsley (botanist)|Hemsl.]]: [[Bertram Evelyn Smythies|Smythies]] (1965)</small> }} '''''Nepenthes lowii''''' ({{pronEng|nəˈpɛnθiːz ˈləʊwiːaɪ}}), or '''Low's Pitcher-Plant''',<ref name=P&L>Phillipps, A. & A. Lamb 1996. ''Pitcher-Plants of Borneo''. Natural History Publications (Borneo), Kota Kinabalu.</ref> is a tropical [[pitcher plant]] [[endemism|endemic]] to [[Borneo]]. It is named after [[Hugh Low]], who discovered it on [[Mount Kinabalu]]. This species is perhaps the most unusual in the [[genus]], being characterised by its strongly constricted upper pitchers, which bear a greatly reduced [[peristome]] and a reflexed lid with numerous bristles on its lower surface.<ref name=Clarke>Clarke, C.M. 1997. ''Nepenthes of Borneo''. Natural History Publications (Borneo), Kota Kinabalu.</ref> ==Botanical history== ===Discovery and naming=== ''N. lowii'' was discovered in March [[1851]] by [[United Kingdom|British]] colonial administrator and [[natural history|naturalist]] [[Hugh Low]] during his first ascent of [[Mount Kinabalu]]. Low wrote the following account of his discovery:<ref name=P&L /> <blockquote>A little way further we came upon a most extraordinary ''Nepenthes'', of, I believe, a hitherto unknown form, the mouth being oval and large, the neck exceedingly contracted so as to appear funnel-shaped, and at right angles to the body of the pitcher, which was large, swollen out laterally, flattened above and sustained in an horizontal position by the strong prolongation of the midrib of the plant as in other species. It is a very strong growing kind and absolutely covered with its interesting pitchers, each of which contains little less than a pint of water and all of them were full to the brim, so admirably were they sustained by the supporting petiole. The plants were generally upwards of 40 ft long, but I could find no young ones nor any flowers, not even traces of either.</blockquote> The [[type specimen]] of ''N. lowii'', designated as ''Low s.n.'', was collected by Hugh Low on Mount Kinabalu and is deposited at the [[Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew]].<ref name=Schlauer>Schlauer, J. 2006. [http://www.omnisterra.com/bot/cp_home.cgi?name=Nepenthes+lowii&submit=Submit+Query&search=all ''Nepenthes lowii'']. Carnivorous Plant Database.</ref> ''N. lowii'' was formally described{{Ref_label|A|I|none}} in 1859 by [[Joseph Dalton Hooker]].<ref name=Hooker>Hooker, J.D. 1859. On the origin and the development of the pitchers of ''Nepenthes'', with an account of some new Bornean plants of that genus. ''The Transactions of the Linnean Society of London'' '''22'''(4): 415–424.</ref> Hooker's original description and illustration were reproduced in [[Spenser St. John]]'s ''Life in the Forests of the Far East'', published in 1862.<ref name=John>St. John, S. 1862. ''Life in the Forests of the Far East; or, Travels in northern Borneo''. 2 volumes. Smith, Elder & Co., London.</ref> St. John wrote the following account of ''N. lowii'' on Mount Kinabalu:<ref name=John /> <blockquote>We soon came upon the magnificent pitcher-plant, the ''Nepenthes Lowii'', which Mr. Low was anxious to obtain. We could find no young plants, but took cuttings, which the natives said would grow. [...] We at last reached a narrow, rocky ridge, covered with brushwood, but with thousands of plants of the beautiful ''Nepenthes Lowii'' growing among them. [...] We sent our men on next morning to wait for us at the cave, while we stayed behind to collect specimens of the ''Nepenthes Lowii'' and the ''Nepenthes Villosa''. The former is, in my opinion, the loveliest of them all, and its shape is most elegant. [...] The outside colour of the pitchers is a bright pea-green, the inside dark mahogany; the lid is green, while the glandular are mahogany-coloured. A very elegant claret jug might be made of this shape.</blockquote> In subsequent years, ''N. lowii'' was featured in a number of publications by eminent botanists such as [[Friedrich Anton Wilhelm Miquel]] (1870),<ref>Miquel, F.A.G. 1870. ''Nepenthes''. ''Illustrations de la flore l'Archipel Indien'' '''1''': 1–48.</ref> [[Joseph Dalton Hooker]] (1873),<ref>Hooker, J.D. 1873. Nepenthaceae. In: A. De Candolle. ''Prodromus systematis universalis regni vegetabilis'' '''17''': 90–105.</ref> [[Frederick William Burbidge]] (1882),<ref name=Burbidge>Burbidge, F.W. 1882. Notes on the new ''Nepenthes''. ''The Gardeners' Chronicle'' '''17'''(1): 56.</ref> [[Odoardo Beccari]] (1886),<ref>Beccari, O. 1886. Rivista delle specie del genere ''Nepenthes''. ''Malesia'' '''3''': 1–15.</ref> [[Ernst Wunschmann]] (1891),<ref>Wunschmann, E. 1891. Nepenthaceae. In: A. Engler & K. Prantl. ''Die natürlichen Pflanzenfamilien'' '''3'''(2): 253–260.</ref> [[Otto Stapf]] (1894),<ref>Stapf, O. 1894. On the flora of Mount Kinabalu, in North Borneo. ''The Transactions of the Linnean Society of London'' '''4''': 96–263.</ref> [[Harry James Veitch]] (1897),<ref>Veitch, H.J. 1897. ''Nepenthes''. ''Journal of the Royal Horticultural Society'' '''21'''(2): 226–255.</ref> [[Jacob Gijsbert Boerlage]] (1900),<ref>Boerlage, J.G. 1900. ''Nepenthes''. In: ''Handleiding tot de kennis der flora van Nederlandsch Indië'', Volume 3, Part 1. pp. 53–54.</ref> and [[Elmer Drew Merrill]] (1921).<ref>Merrill, E.D. 1921. A bibliographic enumeration of Bornean plants. ''Journal of the Straits branch of the Royal Asiatic Society'', special number. pp. 281–295.</ref> However, most of these publications made only passing mention of ''N. lowii''. The first major taxonomic treatment was that of [[Günther von Mannagetta und Lërchenau Beck]] in 1895, who placed ''N. lowii'' in its own subgroup (''Retiferae'') on account of its unusual pitcher morphology.<ref name=Beck>Beck, G.v.M.u.L. 1895. Die Gattung ''Nepenthes''. ''Wiener Illustrierte Gartenzeitung''.</ref> A revised description and illustration of ''N. lowii'' were published in [[John Muirhead Macfarlane]]'s 1908 monograph.<ref name=Macfarlane>Macfarlane, J.M. 1908. Nepenthaceae. In: A. Engler. ''Das Pflanzenreich IV'', III, Heft 36: 1–91.</ref> Macfarlane also wrote about ''N. lowii'' in the ''Journal of the Linnean Society'' in 1914<ref>Macfarlane, J.M. 1914. Nepenthaceae. In: L.S. Gibbs. A contribution to the flora and the plant formations of Mount Kinabalu and the Highlands of British North Borneo. ''Journal of the Linnean Society'' '''42''': 125–127.</ref> and ''The Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture'' in 1919.<ref>Macfarlane, J.M. 1919. ''Nepenthes''. In: L.H. Bailey. ''The Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture'', Volume 4. pp. 2122–2130.</ref> In 1927, a new illustration of ''N. lowii'' was published in an article by [[Netherlands|Dutch]] botanist [[B. H. Danser]] in the journal ''De Tropische Natuur''.<ref>Danser, B.H. 1927. Indische bekerplanten. ''De Tropische Natuur'' '''16''': 197–205.</ref> The following year Danser provided a further emended [[Latin]] diagnosis{{Ref_label|B|II|none}} and botanical description of ''N. lowii'' in his seminal monograph "[[The Nepenthaceae of the Netherlands Indies]]".<ref name=Danser>Danser, B.H. 1928. The Nepenthaceae of the Netherlands Indies. ''Bulletin de Jardin de Botanique, Buitenzorg'', Série III, '''9'''(3–4): 249–438.</ref> ===New localities=== {| align=right style="margin: 0 0 0 1em" | [[Image:Nepenthes lowii Life in the forests of the Far East.png|thumb|center|201px|Upper pitchers of ''N. lowii'' from ''Life in the forests of the Far East'']] | [[Image:Nepenthes lowii Macfarlane illustration.jpg|thumb|center|180px|A line drawing from Macfarlane's monograph on the Nepenthaceae]] |} ''N. lowii'' was discovered on Mount Kinabalu and later found on [[Bukit Batu Lawi]]. It was first recorded from [[Mount Murud]] by [[Eric Mjöberg]] during his first ascent of the mountain in 1922.<ref name=Mjoberg>Mjöberg, E. 1925. An Expedition to the Kalabit Country and Mt. Murud, Sarawak. ''Geographical Review'' '''15'''(3): 411–427. {{DOI|10.2307/208563}}</ref> Mjöberg wrote the following account of the Mount Murud summit area:<ref name=Mjoberg /><ref name=Beaman>Beaman, J.H. 1999. {{PDFlink|[http://www.arbec.com.my/pdf/art3mayjun99.pdf Preliminary Enumeration Of The Summit Flora, Mount Murud, Kelabit Highlands, Sarawak.]|99.4&nbsp;[[Kibibyte|KiB]]<!-- application/pdf, 101826 bytes -->}} ''ASEAN Review of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation'': 1–23.</ref> <blockquote>We found ourselves in a strange landscape where low bushes with thick leathery leaves constituted the predominating vegetation. Here and there smaller trees were seen, among them a conifer with trunk and larger branches practically covered with the yellow blossoms of a small, richly flowering, epiphytic orchid. Bright scarlet or snow-white flowers of rhododendron and similar plants were met with everywhere; and most noticeable were the enormous and characteristically shaped pitchers of ''Nepenthes lowii'', hitherto recorded only from Kinabalu and Batu Lawi.</blockquote> During the expedition, Mjöberg collected a single specimen of ''N. lowii'' from Mount Murud, which has been designated as ''Mjöberg 115''.<ref name=Beaman /> In 1926, Mjöberg found ''N. lowii'' on the north-eastern slope of [[Bukit Batu Tiban]], although he did not collect any specimens.<ref name=Danser /> Another specimen, ''Beaman 11476'', was collected by John H. Beaman between [[April 10]] and [[April 17]], [[1995]], from the summit ridge of Mount Murud at an elevation of between 2300 and 2400 m above sea level.<ref name=Beaman /> This latter specimen was collected as part of the eighth botanical expedition to Mount Murud since Eric Mjöberg's first ascent in 1922.<ref name=Beaman /> ===Misidentification=== Despite its unique pitcher morphology, ''N. lowii'' has been misidentified at least once in the literature; [[Bertram Evelyn Smythies]] tentatively assigned a specimen of ''N. lowii'' to ''[[Nepenthes macfarlanei|N. macfarlanei]]'',<ref name=Schlauer /> a species endemic to [[Peninsular Malaysia]], although he suggested that it might represent a new species.<ref name=Kurata /> This misidentification was published in 1965 in the proceedings of the UNESCO Humid Tropics Symposium, which was held in [[Kuching]] two years earlier.<ref>Smythies, B.E. 1965. The distribution and ecology of pitcher-plants (''Nepenthes'') in Sarawak. UNESCO Humid Tropics Symposium, June–July 1963, Kuching, Sarawak.</ref> It was based on a specimen collected by [[Iris Sheila Darnton Collenette]] from the [[Mesilau East River]]<ref name=Kurata /> in July 1963.<ref>van Steenis-Kruseman, M.J., ''et al.'' 2006. [http://www.nationaalherbarium.nl/FMCollectors/D/DarntonIS.htm Cyclopaedia of Malesian Collectors: Iris Sheila Darnton Collenette]. Nationaal Herbarium Nederland.</ref> This plant bore several pitchers, each with a well developed [[peristome]] and long bristles on the underside of the lid. The confusion resulted from the fact that the peristome in upper pitchers of ''N. lowii'' is usually present only as a series of ridges and that ''N. macfarlanei'' also has bristles on the underside of the lid (although they are much shorter than those of ''N. lowii'').<ref name=Kurata /> ==Description== ===Stem and leaves=== ''N. lowii'' is a climbing plant. The stem may attain a length of more than 10 m<ref name=P&L /> and is up to 20 mm in diameter. [[Internode]]s are cylindrical in cross section and up to 8 cm long.<ref name=Clarke /> [[Image:Murud N. lowii 5.jpg|thumb|left|A rosette plant with lower pitchers]] The leaves of this species are [[wikt:coriaceous|coriaceous]] in texture. The [[lamina]] or leaf blade is [[wikt:petiolate|petiolate]], oblong-[[wikt:lanceolate|lanceolate]] in shape, and up to 30 cm long by 9 cm wide.<ref name=Kurata>Kurata, S. 1976. ''Nepenthes of Mount Kinabalu''. Sabah National Parks Publications No. 2, Sabah National Parks Trustees, Kota Kinabalu.</ref> It has a rounded apex and an abruptly contracted base. The [[petiole (botany)|petiole]] is [[wikt:canaliculate|canaliculate]] and up to 14 cm long.<ref name=Kurata /> It forms a flat sheath that clasps the stem for two-thirds to four-fifths of its circumference.<ref name=Kurata /> Three to four longitudinal veins are present on either side of the [[midrib]]. [[wikt:pinnate|Pinnate]] veins run straight or obliquely with respect to the lamina. [[Tendril]]s are up to 20 cm long and are not usually curled.<ref name=Clarke /> ===Pitchers=== Rosette and lower pitchers are bulbous in the lower part and [[wikt:ventricose|ventricose]] in the middle, becoming wider towards the mouth. They are smaller than their aerial counterparts, reaching only 10 cm high by 4 cm wide. Lower pitchers are rarely seen, as the plant quickly enters the climbing stage. A pair of fringed wings runs down the front of each pitcher, although these are often reduced and only present in the upper portion of the pitcher cup. The [[peristome]] is cylindrical in cross section and widens towards the rear. It is up to 12 mm wide and bears prominent teeth and ribs. On the inner surface, the [[gland]]ular region covers the basal half of the pitcher. The pitcher lid or [[operculum (botany)|operculum]] is approximately [[wikt:orbiculate|orbiculate]] in shape. On its underside it possesses a number of very dense fleshy bristles measuring up to 2 cm in length. Other than these distinctive structures, the lid has no appendages. An unbranched [[spur (biology)|spur]] is inserted near the base of the lid.<ref name=Clarke /> [[Image:Murud N. lowii 55.jpg|thumb|An upper pitcher]] The upper pitchers of ''N. lowii'' are very distinctive, being globose in the lower part, strongly constricted in the middle, and highly [[wikt:infundibular|infundibular]] above. Aerial pitchers are relatively large, growing up to 28 cm high<ref name=P&L /> by 10 cm wide. Wings are reduced to ribs in upper pitchers and the peristome is present only as a series of ridges on the edge of the mouth. The inner surface of the pitcher is glandular throughout and has no waxy zone.<ref>Cheek, M.R. & M.H.P. Jebb 2001. Nepenthaceae. ''Flora Malesiana'' '''15''': 1–164.</ref> The vaulted lid is reflexed away from the mouth and is oblong-ovate in shape. It is up to 15 cm long by 9 cm wide<ref name=Kurata /> and lacks appendages. Numerous bristles, reaching up to 2 cm in length, are present on the lower surface of the lid. As in lower pitchers, the spur is unbranched.<ref name=Clarke /> The upper pitchers of ''N. lowii'' are extremely rigid and almost woody in texture. After drying, the pitchers retain their shape better than those of any other species in the genus.<ref name=P&L /> ===Inflorescence and indumentum=== ''N. lowii'' has a [[raceme|racemose]] [[inflorescence]]. The [[peduncle (botany)|peduncle]] reaches 20 cm in length, while the [[rachis]] measures up to 25 cm. Partial peduncles are two-flowered, up to 20 mm long, and lack [[bract]]s.<ref name=Kurata /> [[Sepal]]s are oblong in shape and up to 5 mm long.<ref name=Clarke /><ref>Kaul, R.B. 1982. Floral and fruit morphology of ''Nepenthes lowii'' and ''N. villosa'', montane carnivores of Borneo. ''American Journal of Botany'' '''69'''(5): 793–803. {{DOI|10.2307/2442970}}</ref> Most parts of the plant are virtually [[wikt:glabrous|glabrous]]. However, an [[indumentum]] of short brown hairs is present on inflorescences, developing parts, and the edges of rosette leaves.<ref name=Clarke /> ==Ecology== ===Habitat and distribution=== ''N. lowii'' is [[endemism|endemic]] to a number of isolated peaks in [[Borneo]]. In [[Sabah]], ''N. lowii'' has been recorded from [[Mount Kinabalu]],<ref name=Clarke /> [[Mount Tambuyukon]],<ref name=Kurata /> [[Mount Mentapok]],<ref name=P&L /> [[Mount Monkobo]],<ref name=Clarke /> and [[Mount Trus Madi]].<ref name=P&L /> In northern [[Sarawak]], the species is known from [[Mount Buli]],<ref name=IUCN>Clarke, C.M., R. Cantley, J. Nerz, H. Rischer & A. Witsuba 2000. [http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/39669/all ''Nepenthes lowii'']. ''2006 [[IUCN Red List|IUCN Red List of Threatened Species]]''. [[World Conservation Union|IUCN]] 2006. Retrieved on 10 May 2006. Listed as Vulnerable (VU D2 v2.3).</ref> [[Mount Mulu]],<ref name=Clarke /> [[Mount Murud]],<ref name=IUCN /> [[Bukit Batu Lawi]],<ref name=Sarawak /> [[Bukit Batu Tiban]],<ref name=Danser /> the [[Hose Mountains]],<ref name=IUCN /> the [[Tama Abu Range]],<ref name=IUCN /> and [[Bario]].<ref name=IUCN /> The species has also been recorded from peaks in [[Brunei]], including [[Bukit Pagon]].<ref name=P&L /> ''N. lowii'' has an altitudinal distribution of 1650<ref name=P&L /> to 2600 m above sea level.<ref name=Clarke /><ref name=J&C>Jebb, M.H.P. & M.R. Cheek 1997. A Skeletal Revision of ''Nepenthes'' (Nepenthaceae). ''Blumea'' '''42'''(1): 1–106.</ref> [[Image:Murud N. lowii 52.jpg|thumb|left|271px|''N. lowii'' growing amongst ridge-top vegetation on Mount Murud]] ''N. lowii'' grows in nutrient-deficient soils<ref name=Collins>Collins, N.M. 1980. The distribution of soil macrofauna on the west ridge of Gunung (Mount) Mulu, Sarawak. ''Oecologia'' '''44'''(2): 263–275. {{DOI|10.1007/BF00572689}}</ref> of the upper montane zone. The species occurs both terrestrially and as an [[epiphyte]]. Its typical habitat is [[mossy forest]] or stunted ridge-top vegetation.<ref name=Clarke /> ''N. lowii'' often grows in a thick layer of [[peat moss]] over [[ultramafic]], [[sandstone]], [[granite]], and [[limestone]] substrates.<ref name=P&L /> ''N. lowii'' has a scattered distribution around the Mount Kinabalu summit trail,<ref>Toyoda, Y. 1972. {{PDFlink|[http://carnivorousplants.org/cpn/articles/CPNv01n4p62_63.pdf ''Nepenthes'' and I - Mt. Kinabalu (Borneo, Malaysia) Trip.]|116&nbsp;[[Kibibyte|KiB]]<!-- application/pdf, 118897 bytes -->}} ''[[Carnivorous Plant Newsletter]]'' '''1'''(4): 62–63.</ref><ref>Malouf, P. 1995. {{PDFlink|[http://carnivorousplants.org/cpn/articles/CPNv24n3p64_69.pdf A visit to Kinabalu Park.]}} ''[[Carnivorous Plant Newsletter]]'' '''24'''(3): 64–69.</ref><ref>Malouf, P. 1995. {{PDFlink|[http://carnivorousplants.org/cpn/articles/CPNv24n4p104_108.pdf A visit to Kinabalu Park.]}} ''[[Carnivorous Plant Newsletter]]'' '''24'''(4): 104–108.</ref> occurring in a narrow band between elevations of 1970 and 2270 m above sea level.<ref name=P&L /> Specifically, it has been recorded from the mountain's east ridge, the [[Mesilau East River]], and an area below [[Kambarangoh]].<ref name=Kurata /> Many of the ''N. lowii'' plants growing along the Kinabalu summit trail died as a result of the [[El Niño]] climatic phenomenon of 1997 to 1998 and others have been destroyed by climbers. It is now difficult to find the species on Mount Kinabalu.<ref name=Sabah>Clarke, C.M. 2001. ''A Guide to the Pitcher Plants of Sabah''. Natural History Publications (Borneo), Kota Kinabalu.</ref><ref>Taylor, D.W. 1982. {{PDFlink|[http://www.carnivorousplants.org/cpn/articles/CPNv11n4p89_92.pdf Once In a Lifetime.]}} ''[[Carnivorous Plant Newsletter]]'' '''11'''(4): 89–92.</ref> The form of ''N. lowii'' from Mount Trus Madi<ref>Kitayama, K., J. Kulip, J. Nais & A. Biun 1993. Vegetation Survey on Mount Trus Madi, Borneo a Prospective New Mountain Park. ''Mountain Research and Development'' '''13'''(1): 99–105. {{DOI|10.2307/3673647}}</ref> produces significantly larger pitcher than that of nearby Mount Kinabalu.<ref>Marabini, J. 1984. {{PDFlink|[http://www.carnivorousplants.org/cpn/articles/CPNv13n2p38_40.pdf A Field Trip to Gunong Trusmadi.]|442&nbsp;[[Kibibyte|KiB]]<!-- application/pdf, 453522 bytes -->}} ''[[Carnivorous Plant Newsletter]]'' '''13'''(2): 38–40.</ref> On Mount Murud, ''N. lowii'' occurs at elevations above 1860 m. Plants growing near the mountain's summit are very stunted due to the harsher climatic conditions and lack of protecting vegetation.<ref>De Witte, J. 1996. {{PDFlink|[http://carnivorousplants.org/cpn/articles/CPNv25n2p41_45.pdf ''Nepenthes'' of Gunung Murud.]|567&nbsp;[[Kibibyte|KiB]]<!-- application/pdf, 581107 bytes -->}} ''[[Carnivorous Plant Newsletter]]'' '''25'''(2): 41–45.</ref> Mount Mulu is now the easiest place to see ''N. lowii''.<ref name=Sabah /> On Mount Mulu, the summit vegetation is greatly stunted, rarely exceeding a metre in height. It is dominated by [[rhododendron]]s (particularly ''[[Rhododendron ericoides]]''),<ref name=Steiner>Steiner, H. 2002. ''Borneo: Its Mountains and Lowlands with their Pitcher Plants''. Toihaan Publishing Company, Kota Kinabalu.</ref> as well as species of the genera ''[[Diplycosia]]'' and ''[[Vaccinium]]''.<ref>Hanbury-Tenison, A.R. & A.C. Jermy 1979. The Rgs Expedition to Gunong Mulu, Sarawak 1977-78. ''The Geographical Journal'' '''145'''(2): 175–191. {{DOI|10.2307/634385}}</ref> ===Conservation status=== The [[conservation status]] of ''N. lowii'' is listed as [[Vulnerable species|Vulnerable]] on the [[IUCN Red List|2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species]] based on an assessment carried out in 2000.<ref name=IUCN /> This agrees with the informal classification of the species made by botanist [[Charles Clarke (botanist)|Charles Clarke]] in 1997, although Clarke noted that it is [[Conservation Dependent]] if populations in protected areas are taken into account.<ref name=Clarke /> However, it differs from the assessment by the [[World Conservation Monitoring Centre]], which classified ''N. lowii'' as "rare", placing it between "vulnerable" and "[[endangered species|endangered]]".<ref>Simpson, R.B. 1995. ''Nepenthes'' and Conservation. ''Curtis's Botanical Magazine'' '''12''': 111–118.</ref> ==Carnivory== {{see also|Protocarnivorous plant}} ''N. lowii'' is known to catch very few prey items compared to other ''Nepenthes''.<ref name=Adam>Adam, J.H. 1997. Prey spectra of Bornean ''Nepenthes'' species (Nepenthaceae) in relation to their habitat. ''Pertanika Journal of Tropical Agricultural Science'' '''20'''(2–3): 121–134.</ref> Preliminary observations suggest that this particular species may have moved away from a solely (or even primarily) carnivorous nature and be adapted to "catching" the droppings of birds feeding at its nectaries.<ref name=Clarke /><ref name=Clarke2001>Clarke, C.M. 2001. ''Nepenthes of Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia''. Natural History Publications (Borneo), Kota Kinabalu.</ref><ref>Hansen, E. 2001. [http://discovermagazine.com/2001/oct/featplants Where rocks sing, ants swim, and plants eat animals: finding members of the ''Nepenthes'' carnivorous plant family in Borneo]. ''Discover'' '''22'''(10): 60–68.</ref><ref>Rice, B. 2007. Carnivorous plants with hybrid trapping strategies. ''[[Carnivorous Plant Newsletter]]'' '''36'''(1): 23–27.</ref> ==Related species== {|border="1" cellpadding="1" align="right" style="float: right; margin: 0em 0em 1em 1em; border: 1px #bbbbbb solid; border-collapse: collapse;" |- align="center" bgcolor=limegreen |colspan=9| <center>'''''Regiae''''' '''clade'''<ref name=Danser /></center> |- align="left" bgcolor=#ffffff |colspan=3|''[[Nepenthes maxima|N. maxima]]'' |colspan=3|''[[Nepenthes pilosa|N. pilosa]]'' |colspan=3|''[[Nepenthes clipeata|N. clipeata]]'' |- align="left" bgcolor=#ffffff |colspan=3|''[[Nepenthes maxima|N. oblanceolata]]''&nbsp;* |colspan=3|''[[Nepenthes burbidgeae|N. burbidgeae]]'' |colspan=3|''[[Nepenthes truncata|N. truncata]]'' |- align="left" bgcolor=#ffffff |colspan=3|''[[Nepenthes veitchii|N. veitchii]]'' |colspan=3|''[[Nepenthes rajah|N. rajah]]'' |colspan=3|''[[Nepenthes fusca|N. fusca]]'' |- align="left" bgcolor=#ffffff |colspan=3|''[[Nepenthes ephippiata|N. ephippiata]]'' |colspan=3|''[[Nepenthes boschiana|N. boschiana]]'' |colspan=3|''[[Nepenthes stenophylla|N. stenophylla]]''&nbsp;** |- align="left" bgcolor=#ffffff |colspan=3|''[[Nepenthes klossii|N. klossii]]'' |colspan=3|''[[Nepenthes mollis|N. mollis]]'' |colspan=3|''N. lowii'' |- align="left" bgcolor=lightgreen |colspan=9| <div style="font-size: 85%">&nbsp;<nowiki>*</nowiki> Now considered a heterotypic synonym of ''N. maxima''.<br>&nbsp;<nowiki>**</nowiki> Danser's description was based on the type specimen of ''[[Nepenthes fallax|N. fallax]]''.</div> |} In his 1928 monograph, [[B. H. Danser]] placed ''N. lowii'' in the ''[[Nepenthes classification|Regiae]]'' [[clade]], together with 14 other species. This differed from the sub-genus classfication published by [[Günther von Mannagetta und Lërchenau Beck]] in 1895, which placed ''N. lowii'' in its own subgroup: ''Retiferae''.<ref name=Beck /> Danser explained his assignment of ''N. lowii'' to ''Regiae'' as follows:<ref name=Danser /> <blockquote>Most abberant is ''N. Lowii'', the leaves and the stem of which are coarse, whereas the indumentum is almost absent and the pitchers show a peculiar form and have no peristome, the lid is vaulted, the midrib is keeled but has no appendage, the lower surface is covered with thick hairs, the glands of the inner surface of the pitcher are so large, that the interspaces are reduced to lines. All these characters, however seem to have little taxonomic value. The form of the pitcher is analogous to that of ''[[nepenthes inermis|N. inermis]]'' of the ''Montanae'' group, which also has no peristome. The peculiar bristles on the lower surface of the lid are found less developed in ''[[Nepenthes macfarlanei|N. Macfarlanei]]''. The large, flat glands on the inner surface of the pitchers are also found in the lower part of the pitchers of ''[[Nepenthes rajah|N. Rajah]]''. This is the reason why I have not distinguished a separate group for this species.</blockquote> ''N. lowii'' is thought to be most closely related to ''[[Nepenthes ephippiata|N. ephippiata]]''.<ref name=Clarke /> [[B. H. Danser]], who described the latter species in 1928,<ref name=Danser /> considered these [[taxon|taxa]] similar to the point where he could find few reasons to distinguish them in a 1931 article.<ref>Danser, B.H. 1931. Nepenthaceae. ''Mitteilungen aus dem Institut für Allgemeine Botanik in Hamburg'' '''3''': 217–221.</ref> More recent treatments have retained ''N. ephippiata'' as a distinct species and outlined a number of morphological features that distinguish it from ''N. lowii''.<ref name=J&C /><ref name=Clarke /> [[Image:Murud N. lowii 9.jpg|thumb|271px|The upper pitchers of ''N. lowii'' are more strongly constricted than those of ''N. ephippiata'']] The most obvious differences between these species are seen in the upper pitchers; those of ''N. ephippiata'' are less constricted in the middle and have a more developed peristome. In addition, ''N. ephippiata'' has short tubercles on the underside of the lid, as opposed to the long bristles of ''N. lowii''.<ref name=Sarawak>Clarke, C.M. & C.C. Lee 2004. ''Pitcher Plants of Sarawak''. Natural History Publications (Borneo), Kota Kinabalu.</ref> ==Natural hybrids== At least six natural [[Hybrid (biology)|hybrids]] involving ''N. lowii'' have been recorded. ===''N. chaniana'' × ''N. lowii''=== ''[[Nepenthes chaniana|N. chaniana]]'' × ''N. lowii'' was discovered by [[Rob Cantley]] and [[Charles Clarke (botanist)|Charles Clarke]] on [[Bukit Batu Lawi]] in [[Sarawak]]. Clarke later found larger plants of this hybrid in the [[Crocker Range]] of [[Sabah]].<ref name=Clarke /> In the past, this hybrid has been listed as ''N. lowii'' × ''[[Nepenthes pilosa|N. pilosa]]'',<ref name=Clarke /> since plants representing ''N. chaniana'' were for a long time confused with ''N. pilosa''.<ref name=chaniana>Clarke, C.M., C.C. Lee & S. McPherson 2006. ''Nepenthes chaniana'' (Nepenthaceae), a new species from north-western Borneo. ''Sabah Parks Journal'' '''7''': 53–66.</ref> The pitchers of ''N. chaniana'' × ''N. lowii'' have a slight constriction in the middle and range in colour from green to dark purple throughout.<ref name=Clarke /> This hybrid differs from ''N. chaniana'' in the presence of bristles on the underside of the lid. Conversely, it has a dense [[indumentum]] on the stem and at the margins of the lamina, compared to the virtually [[wikt:glabrous|glabrous]] stem and leaves of ''N. lowii''. It also differs from ''N. lowii'' in having a more developed [[peristome]], which is cylindrical in cross section. While lower pitchers of ''N. lowii'' have prominent teeth, those of ''N. chaniana'' × ''N. lowii'' are indistinct. In addition, a glandular appendage is present on the underside of the lid, a trait inherited from ''N. chaniana''.<ref name=Clarke /> ''N. chaniana'' × ''N. lowii'' is difficult to confuse with its parent species, but is somewhat similar to ''N. chaniana'' × ''[[Nepenthes veitchii|N. veitchii]]''. The latter hybrid can be distinguished on the basis of its peristome, which is wider, more flared, and less cylindrical. In addition, this hybrid has a less [[wikt:ovate|ovate]] lid, which lacks the bristles characteristic of ''N. lowii'', and a denser indumentum covering the stem and leaves.<ref name=Clarke /> ===''N. fallax'' × ''N. lowii''=== In ''Pitcher-Plants of Borneo'', [[Anthea Phillipps]] and [[Anthony Lamb]] called ''[[Nepenthes fallax|N. fallax]]'' × ''N. lowii'' the Mentapok Pitcher-Plant<ref name=P&L /> after [[Mount Mentapok]] in [[Sabah]], from which it was collected in 1985 by John Briggs. It has since been recorded from several localities in northern Borneo, including [[Bukit Pagon]] in [[Brunei]]. Where ''N. fallax'' is considered synonymous with ''[[Nepenthes stenophylla|N. stenophylla]]'', this hybrid is listed as ''N. lowii'' × ''N. stenophylla''.<ref name=P&L /> On Mount Mentapok, this hybrid is the result of a cross between a giant form of ''N. fallax'' with pitchers measuring up to 35 cm and a form of ''N. lowii'' with a very dark, almost black, inner surface and a "very narrow, distinctly rough peristome".<ref name=P&L /> ''N. fallax'' × ''N. lowii'' has [[wikt:petiolate|petiolate]] leaves and slender, waisted pitchers up to 25 cm high. The pitcher cup bears long dark streaks similar to those of ''N. fallax'', while the striped [[peristome]] is flattened and cylindrical in cross section. The lid is ovate in shape and may be held away from the mouth, exposing dark bristles on its lower surface. As in ''N. lowii'', white secretions accumulate between these bristles.<ref name=Clarke /> The characteristic glandular crest of ''N. fallax'' is reduced to a small mound under the lid.<ref name=P&L /> ''N. fallax'' × ''N. lowii'' is only known from [[mossy forest]] along summit ridges at elevations of over 1500 m, where the upper altitudinal limit of ''N. fallax'' overlaps with the lower altitudinal limit of ''N. lowii''.<ref name=P&L /> ===''N. lowii'' × ''N. macrophylla''=== {{main|Nepenthes × trusmadiensis}} ''N. lowii'' × ''[[Nepenthes macrophylla|N. macrophylla]]'' was discovered on [[Mount Trus Madi]] by Johannes Marabini and John Briggs in 1983. Later that year, it was described as ''N. × trusmadiensis'' by Marabini.<ref>Marabini, J. 1983. Eine neue ''Nepenthes''-Hybride aus Borneo. ''Mitt. Bot. München'' '''19''': 449-452. ISSN 0006-8179</ref> Briggs returned to Mount Trus Madi in 1984, but found only one small group of plants.<ref name=P&L /> ''N. × trusmadiensis'' has [[wikt:petiolate|petiolate]] leaves measuring up to 50 cm in length. The pitchers of this hybrid are some of the largest of any Bornean ''Nepenthes'' species,<ref>Briggs, J.G.R. 1984. The discovery of ''Nepenthes × trusmadiensis''—an impressive new pitcher-plant. ''Malaysian Naturalist'' '''38'''(2): 13–15 & 18–19.</ref><ref>Briggs, J.G.R. 1988. ''Mountains of Malaysia—a practical guide and manual''. Longman, Malaysia.</ref> reaching 35 cm in height. They are roughly intermediate in form between those of its parent species. The lid is held away from the mouth as in ''N. lowii'' and bears short britles on its lower surface.<ref name=Clarke /> The peristome has prominent ribs and teeth, but is not as developed as that of ''N. macrophylla''.<ref name=Sabah /> The [[inflorescence]] of this species may be up to 50 cm long and has two-flowered [[pedicel (botany)|pedicels]].<ref name=P&L /> Despite the size of the pitchers, this hybrid is not large in stature.<ref name=Clarke /> ''N. × trusmadiensis'' is restricted to the summit ridge of Mount Trus Madi and has been recorded from elevations of 2500 to 2600 m above sea level.<ref name=P&L /> ===Other hybrids=== A number of other natural hybrids involving ''N. lowii'' have been recorded. These include crosses with ''[[Nepenthes hurrelliana|N. hurrelliana]]'',<ref>Lee, C.C. 2007. [http://pitcherplants.proboards34.com/index.cgi?board=nepwild&action=display&thread=1177003530&page=2#1177297305 Re: lowii and hurrelliana of Mt. Murud]. Carnivorous Plants in the tropics.</ref> ''[[Nepenthes muluensis|N. muluensis]]'', ''[[Nepenthes veitchii|N. veitchii]]'',<ref name=Clarke /> as well as a possible hybrid with ''[[Nepenthes tentaculata|N. tentaculata]]''.<ref name=Steiner /> ==Notes== <div class="references-small"> '''<small>I</small>.''' {{Note_label|A|I|none}}Hooker's original description of ''N. lowii'' from 1859 reads:<ref name=Hooker /> <blockquote> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;''Ascidia magna, curva, basi inflata, medio constricta, dein ampliata, infundibuliformia; ore maximo, latissimo, annulo O.''<br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Nepenthes Lowii, H. f.—Caule robusto tereti, foliis crasse coriaceis, longe crasse petiolatis lineari-oblongis, ascidiis magnis curvis basi ventricosis medio valde constrictis, ore maximo ampliato, annulo O, operculo oblongo intus dense longe setoso. (''Tab.'' LXXI.)<br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;''Hab.''—Kina Balu; alt. 6,000–8,000 feet (''Low'').<br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A noble species, with very remarkable pitchers, quite unlike those of any other species. They are curved, 4–10 inches long, swollen at the base, then much constricted, and suddenly dilating to a broad, wide, open mouth, with glossy shelving inner walls, and a minute row of low tubercles round the circumference; they are of a bright pea green, mottled inside with purple. The leaves closely resemble those of ''Edwardsiana'' and ''Boschiana'' in size, form, and texture, but are more linear-oblong.<br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;I have specimens of what are sent as the male flower and fruit, but not being attached, I have not ventured to describe them as such. The male raceme is eight inches long, dense flowered. Peduncles simple. Perianth with depressed glands on the inner surface, externally rufous and pubescent. Column long and slender. ''Female'' inflorescence: a very dense oblong panicle; rachis, peduncles, perianth, and fruit-covered with rusty tomentum. Capsules, two-thirds of an inch long, one-sixth of an inch broad.</blockquote> '''<small>II</small>.''' {{Note_label|B|II|none}}The [[Latin]] diagnosis for ''N. lowii'' from Danser's monograph reads:<ref name=Danser /> <blockquote>''Folia mediocria'' petiolata, lamina lanceolata v. oblonga, nervis longitudinalibus utrinque c. 3, vagina caulis c. 2/3 amplectente ; ''ascidia rosularum'' et ''inferiora'' ignota ; ''ascidia superiora'' magna, parte inferiore globosa, medio valde constricta, os versus infundibuliformia, costis 2 elevatis, ore expanso operculum versus acuto, peristomio 0, operculo oblongo facie inferiore setis crassis longis, prope basin carina crassa obtusa ; ''inflorescentia'' racemus longus pedicellis c. 25 mm longis omnibus 2-floris ; ''indumentum'' in partibus iuvenilibus parcum tomentosum v. hirsutum, denique subnullum.</blockquote> </div> ==References== {{reflist|2}} * Harms, H. 1936. Nepenthaceae. In: A. Engler & K. Prantl. ''Die natürlichen Pflanzenfamilien'', 2 aufl. band 17b. ==External links== {{commons}} * Danser, B.H. 1928. [http://www.omnisterra.com/botany/cp/pictures/nepenthe/dansermg/dans33.htm 23. ''Nepenthes Lowii'' HOOK. F.] In: The Nepenthaceae of the Netherlands Indies. ''Bulletin de Jardin de Botanique, Buitenzorg'', Série III, '''9'''(3–4): 249–438. {{Nepenthes}} [[Category:Carnivorous plants of Asia]] [[Category:Nepenthes]]