N. smilesii in Kampot, Cambodia

[Sockhom]

Hello,

I returned from Cambodia 2 days ago. It was an interesting trip.
I spent three weeks there searching for carnivorous plants. It is now my intention to write a book on the CP of that country.
I have observed 12 CP species that I will show throughout some internet field reports.
Initially, my goal was to relocate N. kampotiana in Cambodia and in the true N. thorelii in Vietnam. Unfortunately, due to some logistic problems, I could not make it to Vietnam so I will look after N. thorelii on my next trip. I did not find N. kampotiana either (not enough time).
However, my trip has been very rewarding as I have found many places for Nepenthes, Drosera and Utricularia, including one new taxon.
In this first post, I want to introduce you to the most widespread Indochinese species: Nepenthes smilesii.
The Indochinese Nepenthes have been a source of confusion for many decades and until very recently, no research has been undertaken.
For a very long time, Nepenthes enthusiasts were used to know two species from Indochina: N. anamensis and N. thorelii.
I'll make it short:
All the plants known as thorelii in cultivation do not fit the type description of N. thorelii nor do they fit the lectotypes of that species.
The "thorelii" in cultivation are either other Indochinese species (some might be undescribed species) of hybrids between them.
N. anamensis has been this year synonymised with N smilesii (Mey 2009; McPherson, Robinson, Fleischmann 2009).This name is the right one to be used
N. smilesii is widespread and is clearly recognisable in the field
Although it can exhibits some variations, it is quite uniform and reports of N smilesii (anamensis) to be a very variable species are simply false because such assertion were made at a time where Indochina was thought to only host two species (ie N. anamensis (smilesii) and N thorelii).

I found N. smilesii in several places in Cambodia. One of them was in Kampot, in southern Cambodia.
The plant grows in dry savannah like meadow. They are exposed to full sun and to a very dry season. They are sometimes exposed to fire and can recover easily.
Humidity can be very low during the day.
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N. smilesii is mostly found in intermediate locations but can be found in true lowland conditions. This very population has been found at 16 m, almost sea level.
So how does one recognize N. smilesii from the other Indochinese species as this group includes similar species?
It's actually easy. You just need to take the time to eaxmine some features.
In short, N. smilesii is hairy, has short tendrils, and is often a compact species. It flowers readily at a rosette stage and climbing plants are not very common.
when you're used to look after Indochinese species in the wild, you can often distinguish them by looking at the pitchers but, to the untrained eye, most pitchers of that group of species are similar.
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[Sockhom]

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François.

[NepNut]

Hi François,
Thankyou very much for sharing your findings, it's very interesting to see N. smilesii growing insitu in Cambodia. I wonder if Marcello has come across any N. smilesii in Thailand now, would be interesting to know if they'll be similar in appearence. Please keep us updated with your reports. Keep up the good work, I know it's not easy !!

[plantlover]

Beautiful cute neps. Wild neps always look so gorgeous.

[TS]

Hi François,
Thanks for sharing the pictures, I always enjoy pictures from the habitat. I was surprise that the place is so dry and exposed
Great pictures!

[kentosaurs]

Man nice pics......1st pic looks like it was stranded in nowhere island..Some of th beggining pics if you look at the pitchers only they do resemble slightly to a N sanguinea

[atmccmn]

Thank you forthe habitat pictures. It definetely will help us further understand on this sp and its' requirements.
Anyway, the plants look very healthy and green despite the barren landscape!

[Sockhom]

Hello,

Glad you appreciate.
I forgot to mention the plants grow in full sand.


François.