Nepenthes - the carnivorous plant which drowns its victims

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Nepenthes is a type of carnivorous pitcher plant which inhabits the tropical rainforests of Madagascar, Asia and Australia. These plants use a specialised cup-like structure (or pitcher) on the end of their long tendrils to trap insects and then slowly digest them.

The seventy or so types of Nepenthes are usually found in damp places where the soil is acidic and there is a deficiency in essential nutrients such as nitrogen. The extra nutrients needed to survive the poor conditions are provided by the trapped insects as the nitrogen-rich fluids in their bodies are absorbed by the Nepenthes.

Nepenthes have adapted a distinctive and specialised cup structure (or pitcher) that grows on tendrils on the end of their leaves. The pitcher is often capped by a colourful lid. The mouth or rim of the pitcher has a layer of crumbly wax. Nectar glands around the rim and lid attract insects. The insects slide into the liquid at the bottom of the pitcher because they cannot steady themselves on the waxy rim. The digestive glands of the Nepenthes then fill the liquid with acids and enzymes so the victim can be dissolved.

The smallest species of Nepenthes, such as Nepenthes argentii, have very small pitches measuring no more than two inches (or two centimetres) long. The larger forms, such as the Nepenthes rafflesiana, have pitchers that are thirty feet (or nine meters) tall and rims which are three to twelve inches (or eight to thirty centimetres) wide. Insects as well as scorpions and sometimes reptiles can be lured into these large pitchers.

The Nepentes have adapted extremely well to their harsh environment and are some of the most efficient killers of the carnivorous plants.