Re: photographs
Jan Schlauer (zxmsl01@studserv.zdv.uni-tuebingen.de)
Tue, 19 Oct 93 10:17:11 +0100
Phil,
The details most frequently ignored in _Nepenthes_ photographs are on the
lower (inner) surface of the pitcher lid.
The characters used for species determination are:
Inflorescence paniculate (even middle and upper pedicels with more than 2
flowers) vs. inflorescence racemose (pedicels with 2 flowers or simple)
Lowermost pedicels with bracts vs. inflorescence w/o bracts
Length of pedicel in flower/fruit
Leaf base decurrent/amplexicaul or not
Leaves with
pronounced petiole vs. leaves w/o petiole
Number and distribution of lateral nerves of the leaves
Morphology of the leaf tip
Morphology of the pitchers (on short *and* long shoots) tubular, ventricose,
ovoid, infundibuliform, campanulate, etc.
Glandular portions of inner surface of pitcher zonate vs. confluent
Size and morphology of peristone ridges
Distribution and size of glands on lower surface of pitcher lid
Presence vs. absence of appendages on lower surface of lid
Spur at back of pitcher inserted close to vs. distant from point of lid
emergence.
But even if you have determined all these characters it will not be possible
to determine the species in all cases. Even experts sometimes have different
interpretations for herbarium material (as can be seen on the determination
labels by Turnbull/Middleton vs. Adam etc.). things are even more complicat-
ed by the fact that hybridization does occur quite frequently.
Kind regards
Jan