| Nepenthes aenigma | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Nepenthaceae |
| Genus: | Nepenthes |
| Species: | N. aenigma |
| Binomial name | |
| Nepenthes aenigma | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Nepenthes aenigma is a tropicalpitcher plant known from two mountains inIlocos Norteprovince on thePhilippine island ofLuzon, where it grows at an elevation of around 1200 mabove sea level.[1] The species is notable for growing among dense vegetation in deep shade.[1] It shows similarities toN. burkei andN. ventricosa.[2]
They are mostly hairless plants, but do have small brown hairs on traps that are undeveloped. These plants also have buds that are dormant and sit above each leaf. This species has been seen preying on ants, spiders, mosquito larvae, and roaches in stages of decomposition.
The species was originally discovered in April 2002 byornithologist Herman Nuytemans[2] and was only relocated in the wild just over 10 years later.[3] Prior to itsformal description the species was known under the placeholder name "Nepenthes sp. Luzon".[1]
Thespecific epithetaenigma isLatin for "enigma" or "riddle" and refers to the species' "very unusual ecological preferences" of growing in deep shade.[1]
