Brown Spots on Nepenthes

Description

• Nepenthes plants develop large, stiff, waxy foliage on vines with shallow roots. The plants are found in cool, moist highland forest as well as warm, dry lowland areas. As the plants mature, they develop specially modified leaves that have a vase-like shape and variable colors. The colors of the pitchers vary from solid green, red or yellow to a mottled, striped or spotted color pattern. Brown spots on the pitcher of Nepenthes plants are common. Unlike most plants, Nepenthes plants obtain most of their nutrients from animals trapped in the pitcher.

Function

• Different coloration of pitcher plants helps to attract several different species of insects to the plant, according to biologists at Harvard University. In addition to the coloration and pattern of the pitcher, insects are drawn to the nectar secreted around the rim of the pitcher. The nectar contains chemicals that intoxicate the insect, causing it to lose its balance and fall into the pitcher, where the insect is slowly digested by the liquid syrup produced by the plant.

Care

• Nepenthes are delicate plants that require specific growing conditions to thrive as a houseplant. Since the plants receive most of their nutrients from organic matter collected in the pitcher, they do not require direct sunlight and grow best in bright, indirect light. A potting mix composed of 1 part sphagnum moss and 1 part perlite works well for most Nepenthes species. Water pitcher plants regularly with distilled water or rainwater. Do not use tap water since the minerals and chlorine in most tap water can burn the roots of the plant, causing the foliage to turn brown and die back. Drop a few insects into the pitcher of the plants once monthly.

Interesting Facts

• Though insects compose a large portion of a Nepenthes diet, the plants also trap and consume larger animals such as scorpions, frogs and small rodents. Not all animals are prey for pitcher plants; some insects, such as ants, live peacefully with pitcher plants and feed on the nectar produced around the rim of the pitcher during periods of drought without becoming intoxicated. Some ants cooperate with one another and construct long ant chains that allow them to reach down into the mouth of a pitcher plant and fish out trapped insects for an easy meal. Nepenthes are commonly called monkey cups since several monkeys have been observed drinking water out of the pitchers on the plant.