Wild mirabilis-Should I save it?

[edwardyeeks]

Hi everybody, I'm bringing up this important matter to all of you.

I was cycling with my dad during this evening along a hillside road when I caught sight of a nep flower inflorescence. Excited, I quickly climbed the hill and discovered that it was a nepenthes mirabilis! It was quite a nice plant with a stem about 1.5-2 metres long. The plant also appeared to be scrambling along the grassy terrain of the hill with pitchers forming under the shady protection of the grass. There was a basal growing next to it. The flower was a male (I'm guessing as I didn't get a good look!). Unfortunately, I didn't bring my camera along, so I shall be taking pics of the plant tomorrow.

Imagine the joy I was having as this was practically my first encounter of a wild Nepenthes! However my joy was short-lived when my dad told me that the road around this area would be extended and the plant will be removed during the process due to a housing construction that will commence soon. This would mean the plant would have only another year or two before it's demise! Thus it has led me to this dilemma: should I save it?

I'm thinking of leaving it to grow naturally until the time arrives when the road is to be extended. What do you think?

Plus, it's quite a nice looking mirabilis. The peristome was around half a centimetre thick with a reddish ring at the outer side. All opinions will be most appreciated!

[kentosaurs]

Noooo never seen mirabilis before...IMHO i guess leave it there growing wild till the construction comes then save it...

Was there only 1 plant?

[kepikimut]

I think you should save it.
although there is the proverb says "let nature find the way", that may apply when there is no human intervention deleterious habitat

[kevyn chan]

by the time the construction is about to commence, the area will be fence up and all sorts of people will be around, wild animal such as snakes etc will be disturbed and seeks shelter thus you might bump into them while you are "trying" to rescue the plant......long story short...rescue it. you might want to peel back your eyes to find "other neps" there waiting for the rescue effort......

[edwardyeeks]

Only one plant. There might be more, but I didn't notice. This mirabilis was very close to the road, at the top of the hill was a jungle which would not be disturbed. Tomorrow I'll be searching for other plants while planning how to save this poor mirabilis

[edwardyeeks]

Originally Posted by kevyn chan

by the time the construction is about to commence, the area will be fence up and all sorts of people will be around, wild animal such as snakes etc will be disturbed and seeks shelter thus you might bump into them while you are "trying" to rescue the plant......long story short...rescue it. you might want to peel back your eyes to find "other neps" there waiting for the rescue effort......

Good point, but the housing project that is being planned to be built hasn't even started yet. The land has not even been flattened yet. I'd give it about 6 months before saving the plant. And I WILL certainly look out for more neps along the way.

[winterkid]

I have an idea...
why dont you find all the neps and donate them to members here.....like me. . . I currently dont have a mirabilis at home....
i think the neps will find a better home . . .

[edwardyeeks]

Pictures are taken at last


The hillside road.


The hill where I saw the plant, notice the nep foliage?


The whole plant




Pitchers of the plant, note the nice reddish colour on the lower pitchers.


Inflorescence. Definitely a male.

[jimmy0123]

It is quite sad to see the surrounding in pic 1 were heavily removed and changed for development. It wont be long till this happen to the nep site. Definitely you should save it while you still can.

[kevyn chan]

by looking the the 1st picture, it wouldn't be long before the land will be developed. a developer wont lay a nice tar road leading to nowhere....

pick it up, do cuttings, collect the pollens and give it to members here in the forum that need to add in into their collection. i will do it eventhough it is not a very sought after species nor a best looking mirabilis form though....