Dear all!
I am currently researching on the diversity of the very widespread N.rafflesiana in the wild.
Here on the northwest coast of Borneo, at least 4 different morphological forms can be seen
N.raflesiana typical
N.rafflesiana "Giant" (similar to typical, but very much bigger in all parts, reddish underside of leaf)
N.rafflesiana var. alata (very much like typical, but wings of lower pitcher extending over tendril and fusing to leaf blade)
N.rafflesiana var. elongata (waxy zone in lower and especially upper pitchers)
and within these, there is some smaller morphological variation and many different colour forms again.
Actually, until now it is quite unknown how far spread these "varieties" are, or how stable they are over their range.
Unfortunately, I do not have the time and money to go all around the Sunda region to investigate the diversity within N.rafflesiana elsewhere.
But fortunately, you guys are already out there or have visited the region!
So, please post your photos and observations (location (not precise of course), habitat types, dates, flowering, anything really) here so we can discuss, or send me emails to spinneman[at]gmx.de
This could be a really productive attempt to record N.rafflesiana diversity over its entire range.
Special interest is on N.rafflesiana with waxy zones in upper pitchers. Are these in Kalimantan, in Sumatera, in the Peninsula?
Here are some examples from northern Borneo:
N.rafflesiana typical, degraded kerangas Brunei
N.rafflesiana typical, mixed dipterocarp forest landslide Brunei
N.rafflesiana "Giant", roadside near Kuching
N.rafflesiana var. elongata, degraded kerangas Brunei
best wishes, Mathias