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Nepenthes holdenii with Francois Mey. (Credit: Jeremy Holden) |
ScienceDaily (Nov. 15, 2010) — A new species of carnivorous pitcher plant has been found by Fauna and Flora International (FFI) in Cambodia's remote Cardamom Mountains. The discovery of Nepenthes holdenii is an indicator of both the stunning diversity and lack of research in the forests of the Cardamom Mountains.
The large red and green pitchers that characterize Nepenthes holdenii are actually modified leaves designed to capture and digest insects. The pitchers can reach up to 30 centimeters long. The carnivorous strategy allows the plants to gain additional nutrients and flourish in otherwise impoverished soils.
A further unusual adaptation seen in this new species is its ability to cope with fire and extended periods of drought. Cambodia's dry season causes forests to desiccate and forest fires are common. Nepenthes holdenii exploits the clearings caused by these regular blazes by producing a large underground tuber which sends up a new pitcher- bearing vine after the fires have passed.
British photographer Jeremy Holden, who first found the plant on the FFI survey and after whom it is named, said: "The Cardamom Mountains are a treasure chest of new species, but it was a surprise to find something as exciting and charismatic as an unknown pitcher plant."
This discovery is the latest in a series of new species described from the Cardamom Mountains, including a green-blooded frog and a number of new reptiles. Jenny Daltry, FFI Senior Conservation Biologist said: "The flora of Cambodia is still poorly known and potentially holds many new species for researchers to discover."
François Mey, the French botanist and Nepenthes expert who described the plant said: "This amazing species may be the most drought-tolerant of the genus. Thanks to a large underground tuber, it has the ability to endure extended periods of drought and fires."
Francois Mey and Jeremy Holden are currently working on a book devoted to the carnivorous plants of Cambodia.
10 comments:
Cardamom mountains should be reserved before flora and fauna are being depleted by greedy people.There are more than that along cardamom mountains.
The greedy knows nothing better but dollars.Spiritual being are dwelling in this area and Kulen mountain.
Please protect our forest and our environments,balace of fire,living water,living soil,living breathable air.When these no longer exist,human will no longer habitable.
Peasant
All Khmers,
This plant carnivorous were found during a Biological excursion of the Faculty of Sciences lead by Mme Dy Phon in 1966. We had found a lot on Kirirom mountain.
Ex- student of Fac.Sciences
Hin, Sithan
There are many new kind of whores in Cambodia too
in cambodia jungle, there are a lot of new species of plants, animals, etc. also a lot of medicinal plants local people used to treat common ailments, injuries, etc... please come and capture them in cambodia to show on american tv to show the world.
scientists should also film the underwaters in cambodia in areas like the tonle sap lake in central cambodia, the mekong river, etc.
cambodia's tonle sap lake is considered one of the largest fresh water lakes in asia if not the world. it was the key to the birth of the great khmer angkor civilization, you know.
ye, birthplace of many Khmer whores. I know
hey, no money, to honey, ok!
Thank you Mr Hin Sithan for your most informative post.
It is amazing that this New Species of Carnivorous Plant exist in Cambodia. How interesting!
Vanna
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