Lower pitchers in habitat

Nepenthes bicalcarata is certainly one of the most impressive members of the genus. The plant is unique for its vampire-fang like outgrowths of the peristome. Nepenthes bicalcarata is a shade loving plant normally growing in peat swamp forests of Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei. The plants are also noteworthy for a symbiotic relationship with a highly specialised species af ants. The little colonies live in a hollow of the tendril and under the peristome. They "fish" for the plant's victims in the pitcher fluid. By giving away a part of it's diet the plant is protected from insect pests by the ants. The photographs were taken in Mulu National park (Sarawak).

Copyright by Andreas Wistuba. The photograph may be downloaded for private use and may be used by the ICPS. The photograph may not be used commercially or for publications without permission by Andreas Wistuba (andreas.wistuba@rhein-neckar.de)