N.northianas by the lakeside

[Robert]

northianas were synonymous with limestone habitat and are found on hillsides and cliffs. Maybe at one time, long before development came, they were found in abundant along rural farm road, by the lakeside, etc. which could be true but present day only occuring at secluded location where they're not noticeable shy away from human interference.
This was one spot where a matured plant with 3-4 healthy offshoots, upper and lower pitchers are monsters. They're all male . N.northiana inflorescence have long spike, their flowers unlike most lowlanders arranges closely.


It was a perfect growing environment-leaves were spotless with trees shade from the harsh tropical sun, the occassional wind blowing over the lake brought a momentarily cool air plants needed most.


hand held comparison






Instead of vining up trees growing upwards northiana tend to sway near or lie close to the forest floor, probably due to the heavy pitchers. The huge pitchers contain milky fluids smell like dead fish.
The scenic lake behind,huge upper pitchers added beauty to the tranquail environment.







I took measurement of their upper and lower pitchers and leaf. Info details are visible from the photos.

















tendril length approx 28"


The ground are mostly of broken down limestone chips, sand and small amount of clay and peat, loose and very well drain.


another large plant growing to be monstrous by the edge of the lake. During heavy downpour the lake would be flooded but subsided soon as the rain gone.


pitchers were squeeze between limestones

[shawnintland]

Great report Robert. What a lucky (or diligent) find! Was this a trip especially looking for neps or were you searching out new fishing holes?

[kentosaurs]

Hi Robert,already said this in the other forum anyways copy pasting it for fun

Wow Robert nice pictures and plants you found there.I always thought that N northiana only lives on steep limestone cliffs where the plant hangs for its life.Those pitchers do get to monstrous size in the wild...even the uppers are almost as big as the lower pitchers.....but i prefer the peristrome on the upper pitchers than the lowers.

Some of the plants seem to be growing under a lot of sunlight and still doesn't have any burn marks on it.The 2nd last pic seems like its in a exhibition or something with the pretty fake sky.And also is that your proton saga at the 5th pic??Anyway nice pictures truly one of the spectacular lowland species.Oh yeah just to tell u the bical is doing fine and is going to pitcher on its upcoming leaf soon the one that came with it had a broken tendrill.

Ken

[Aliamyz]

Oh my god..Robert!
I doubt we can grow them like that in our house..can we?
You're really lucky to see and hold the 'monsters' in your hand.
So lucklah you!

[David]

Some of it are really huge pitchers. Goodness me... 6 inches across the peristome and 13 inches high pitchers. The height is longer than my forearm.

Thanks Robert for the pictures.

[Victoria]

Beautiful pics Robert! Those are excellent looking northianas! Thanks for sharing!

[NepNut]

Wow... impressive find Robert,thanks for showing.

Looking foward to you next discovery and report, documenting wild neps in their habitat will let us understand how mother nature work and hopefully learn something from her.

[TS]

Woah, my goodness.... such a huge northiana pitcher! This is my first time seeing northiana upper pitchers!
How I wish my northiana grow as big as this, thanks so much for your sharing Robert, appreciated. I hope I'm there personally to admire all these lovely plants.
My heart still bumping.....

[Jonathan]

Wow robert nice N.northiana.... wish i could make a field trip there one day
haiz.. still waiting for my trip to sabah... anyway nice nice photo and great huge pitcher my friend... thank you very much for sharing....

Regards
Jonathan

[Robert]

Hi all thanks for reading and admiring the stunnung pitchers. My friend and me were stunned when we stumble across them, firstly the huge pitchers and, secondly their unusual location.

well Shawn, it was a regular photography outing. we have heard from miners and local native who came across the pitchers that they sometimes describe doesn't resemble northiana. we search around hoping to find unusual pitchers. Fishing-we do that off the coast once in a while. There are many good fishing grounds around the coast.

ken,they are growing under trees and the shade provided must have help. I notice in the open most have brown burnt marks due to the scorching direct sun. That was my car that never fail me though it get stuck , i remember 3 times, on muddy road and i have to walk to the nearest settlement to get help.

Ali, i believe we can grow them at home bearing huge pitchers like in the wild. The answer - grow in open ground.

David, this was the 3rd encounter northianas we came across with such measurement. No all grew to this size.

Most welcome Victoria, cpnut, TS and Jonathan.