This is an account of my recent field trip to the highlands of West
Malaysia which I would like to share with CP enthusiasts.
According to Roger Shiva's `Pitcher Plants of Peninsular Malaysia and
Singapore' there are 12 species/hybrids that are found in these regions,
namely Ampullaria, Alata, Albomarginata, Gracilis, Rafflesiana,
Mirabilis, Reinwardtiana, Macfarlanei, Gracillima, Sanguinea, Hookeriana
and Trichocarpa. Three of the 12 species are endemic to the highlands
of West Malaysia. They are Gracillima, Macfarlanei and Sanguinea.
Cameron Highlands is tucked away serenely amidst the clouds at 1,829
metres above sea level. The cool fresh air on the highlands offers an
attractive retreat for city dwellers, like me, who would like to retreat
temporarily from the noise and pollution in the city. Verdant green
hillsides planted with tea plants greet you as you drive slowly up the
meandering road to the three townships of Ringlet, Tanah Rata and
Brinchang.
I missed the opportunity to visit the highlands late last year because
of mud/land slides. So this year during late March I decided to take a
short break and spend several days in the highlands. The bus journey to
Cameron Highlands took about 10 hours inclusive of custom clearance and
stopovers for call of nature and breaks. There are several ways you can
get to Cameron Highlands by road from Kuala Lumpur, Penang or Singapore
via the North-South highway to the town of Tapah. The distance from
Tapah to the Highlands is about 60 kilometres which a taxi could bring
you to the various townships.
There have been much development in the highlands which could attribute
to a warmer temperature now than it was 15 years ago when I made my
first trip there. Or it is due to the depleting ozone layer that could
cause these warming?
Upon arrival at 8 am and after check-in, without any delay, I started my
tracking in some of the well-marked jungle walks. Along the jungle
trail there were Begonias, ferns and many wild orchids that have fallen
from the tree branches. The trail altitude is slightly above 5,000
feet. Nepenthes Sanguinea were found on some sporadic spots. They were
found mainly on exposed slopes. They were mainly the purple form and
pitchers are between 8 - 15 cm high.
After lunch, I took a walk around the hotel. The hotel nestles in a
very nice surroundings with a manicured garden filled with flowering
plants. The most striking among them was the `Bird of Paradise' which
were growing in the hotel's front porch. About 500 metres away from the
hotel I found the purple Sanguinea again. Around the vicinity, I also
found two other forms of Sanguinea, namely pink with purple spots and
light green with red spots. They were clingling onto the steep exposed
slopes as well as among fern covered slopes.
The next day, I decided to track a higher trail. During the track, I
saw several forms of Sanguinea which I came across the previous day.
Here, the Sanguineas are much bigger. The large pitchers are between 20
- 25 cm high and mouths are as wide as 6 cm across. Most of the larger
plants require some form of climbing equipment to get close, which
unfortunately I do not have. Above 6000 feet the vegetation changes to
montane forest with moss covered trees and clouds surrounding you. It
was at this altitude that I saw my first N. Macfarlanei. I was filled
with joy and excitment and started clicking my camera away.
Two forms of Macfarlanei wer spotted. One greenish with red
spots/markings and the other was pinkish with dark purple markings. It
is a stout plant with climbing vine of about 3 - 4 metres. The lower
pitchers are between 12 - 15 cm high and the intermediate pitchers
between 15 - 20 cm high. It is a very distinct and striking plant with
hairiness on the underside of the lid.
Along the trail there were many dead nepenthes clinging onto the steep
crevices, I reckon the conditions must be very harsh on them that cause
the demise of these poor plants. By mid-day, the weather did not look
too promising and cloud was thickening. I decided to head back. Now
you know why they call it tropical rain forest.
It was an interesting trip as it was my first sighting of Macfarlanei in its habitats. However, I was
a little disapointed that I was not able to locate N. Gracillima. Hopefully, I will venture again to
the other highlands to look for this elusive highlands species.
Rick: For the the benefit of those who do not have access to the
discussion group would like to put up the article in CPN?. If so, I
will send some color prints from the trip.
Regards,
Joseph Yeo