Date: Mon, 17 Aug 1998 16:09:53 -0400 From: Steven Stewart <steven.stewart@worldnet.att.net> To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg2711$foo@default> Subject: _Nepenthes bicalcarata _
Has anyone on the list growing _Nepenthes bicalcarata_ noticed nectar
dripping from the thorns in the early morning hours? It looks very much
like drool! Have there been any studies in detail of the physiology of
_Nepenthes bicalcarata_ thorns? I am aware of the myramicodial aspects
of this plant with ants in Borneo.
The plants I am growing have Floridian ants (ants in Florida,
unidentified to date) of many types acting opportunistically on this
species, none have yet begun to drill into the plant, but like on other
_Nepenthes_ spp. they are gathering the nectar, and a fair number are
acting as plant food. FWIW some individuals have more nectar than
others, at this point in time I don't know if nocturnal animals are
collecting nectar on some and not others or if there is a difference on
an individual level. All are numbered for easy observation.
Please let me know if anyone else has any interesting aspects of this
facinating species.
Take care,
Steven Stewart
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