2004 Volume 55 Issue 3 Pages 181-197
Taxonomy of Nepenthes has been exclusively based on pitcher morphology that well characterizes the carnivore. In order to understand the morphological diversity and to re-examine taxonomical diagnosis of the Nepenthes taxa in New Caledonia, the pitcher morphology was carefully studied based on 221 matured upper pitchers of 124 individuals from seven localities of the island. For this purpose, we investigated size of pitchers and of their lids, number and density of nectar glands on lids, number and density of digestive glands in pitchers and ratio of digestive zone vs. waxy zone in pitchers. These morphological features varied widely between the populations though they are mostly stable within an individual plant. Statistical analyses did not segregate any population and supported the taxonomical treatment to unite several taxa into an insular endemic, Nepenthes vieillardii Hook. f. in New Caledonia. The number of digestive glands and area of digestive zone in pitcher varied greatly between populations suggesting that some ecological factors do affect the morphological diversity of pitchers.
