N. ephip-pi-ippi-ippi-ata

[Dave Evans]

Hello Doug,

With Nepenthes, most of the species are very similar structure-wise, they are all lianas with long leaves. It is the details about stems, leaves and flowers which are the most important for understanding relationships within the genus. For example, all the members of the maxima-group have similar stems, similar leaves and are hairy; most of the flowers are doubles. The shared similarities indicate more recent speciation from a common ancestor when compared against the rest of the species in the genus.

N. lowii and N. ephippiata seem too similar to have developed their common traits independently; and so the logical conclusion is they both share a more recent common ancestor and the rest of species in the genus do not share this ancestor.

[dvg]

Mar 27, 2010 17:58:30 GMT -10 Dave Evans said:

Hello Doug,

With Nepenthes, most of the species are very similar structure-wise, they are all lianas with long leaves. It is the details about stems, leaves and flowers which are the most important for understanding relationships within the genus. For example, all the members of the maxima-group have similar stems, similar leaves and are hairy; most of the flowers are doubles. The shared similarities indicate more recent speciation from a common ancestor when compared against the rest of the species in the genus.

N. lowii and N. ephippiata seem too similar to have developed their common traits independently; and so the logical conclusion is they both share a more recent common ancestor and the rest of species in the genus doesn't share this ancestor.

Thanks for the reply Dave.

I've noticed your skill with identifying Nepenthes species just from online photos.

Now I'm guessing that no doubt some of your ability has come from your experience with growing and seeing some of these plants live. And a part of it may have come from seeing the plants live in situ. And I've noticed that by growing a plant in my collection for a while, that before too long I can recognize it just by sight, without having to check with the plant label.

Do you also rely on Nepenthes plant identification keys? And if so, which ones do you tend to rely on the most.

I am looking at this from the point of view of the hobbyist/amateur enthusiast. I would like to gain some more expertise or knowledge anyway, in Nepenthes species identification and was wondering where to start in regards to using the Nepenthes plant key identifiers.

I hope I was clear enough on this. The reason I am suggesting keys, is because I know that they are used by the mushroom fanciers of foraged edible mushrooms...because in that hobby, one has to be very careful with what they ingest.

As the saying in that hobby goes,

There are old mushroom hunters
And there are bold mushroom hunters,
But there are no
OLD, bold mushroom hunters

Now with Nepenthes identification, it isn't necessarily life critical that the identification always be correct, but I'd still like to learn more, and would appreciate any help with this.

regards,

Doug
dvg

[Robiii]

Well Done!

[dvg]

Thanks for the compliment viridis6animus.

[Dave Evans]

Mar 28, 2010 5:37:22 GMT -10 dvg said:

Now I'm guessing that no doubt some of your ability has come from your experience with growing and seeing some of these plants live. And a part of it may have come from seeing the plants live in situ. And I've noticed that by growing a plant in my collection for a while, that before too long I can recognize it just by sight, without having to check with the plant label.

Do you also rely on Nepenthes plant identification keys? And if so, which ones do you tend to rely on the most.

No, not particularly. I have a semi-photographic memory, which I've trained to note details about plants. I'm sure one can do the same for automobiles too, but they are just too boring to me. I'd have to use keys to ID plants I'm not familiar with, but I've been studying Nepenthes and other CP's for about 15 years. I've also started a collection of lilac (Syringa) cultivars and have been learning about the different species.

[rainforest]

;D