Nepenthes of Gunung Tahan

[kltower]

Hi All,

Some outdoor friends had asked me to identify the nepenthes they had shot. The photos were taken at various peaks around Gunung Tahan. These places, I was told, can be reached after taking 4 wheel drives from Cameron Highland and of course ......... great deal of hiking. Definitely not recommended for an old softie like me.


Here we have red variations of what we currently called N. gracillima, as described in Dr Charles Clarke books.










These creamy coloured variations N. gracillima, however, will be called N. alba in Stewart McPherson's new book - "Pitcher Plants of the Old World Volume Two".








Note that both the red and cream coloured N. gracillima are very small stature plants, as can be seen in these two habitat photos. Also, N. gracillima are high altitude plants as they grow amongst stunned vegetation.






Now, these two darked coloured pitchers is what I think Stewart McPherson called the true N. gracillima.






Since the book is not available yet, you can check photos of his N. alba and N. gracillima here: http://www.redfernnaturalhistory.com...erms=nepenthes


Choong

[shawnintland]

Thanks loads for posting these shots and your notes. Interesting to see the variation in the gracillima! That open habitat was unexpected as well, guess the cooler temps make it possible.

[Betta Fantasy]

Cameron Highlands got gracillima meh? I ve not seen one before.

How high is the altitude?

[NepNut]

Simply stunning !! Wanted to try growing it in LL condition but not sure will be acceptable for it? Choong, do you the elevation where the pics were taken?

[plantlover]

Wow!! Gorgeous plants.

[kltower]

Cpnut,

Gunumg Tahan at the highest point is 2,187 m. Since the plants are found growing above the TREE-LINE, I would guess the elevation to be above 1800m.

So, if I were you, I would contemplate growing it unless you can generate night temperature of 15°C or less.

Choong

[kltower]

The reasons alot of you have not heard or seen the plant is because you need to do alot of hiking to get there. For those who want to see the plant in situ, I got this info from Wikipedia:

"All climbers can reach the peak from the most popular trails - the Kuala Tahan classic trail. This return trail typically takes seven days. Climbers have to trek across undulating ridges and make several river crossings before finally reaching the foot of the mountain to make the final ascent.

Climbers without adequate physical fitness or training are not advised to attempt Gunung Tahan.

The other two trails are Merapoh (Sungai Relau) and via Kelantan. An average climber on these trails would take five days."

Good Luck.

Choong

[edwardyeeks]

Interesting, thanks for sharing! love those varieties of plants

Cheeers

[David]

Thanks Choong for sharing these pictures. It is always refreshing to see neps in the wild and it is an added bonus when we can see something rare, something that is not easy to find or reach.

It's interesting to see them grwoing so low to the ground among low grases in a wide open field.

[NepNut]

Thanks for your advice Choong, as of now, I don't think I'm ready to tackle a "true" higlander yet...

May be you can try?? Fauzi just got a shipment of seed grown gracilima from BE.