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Nepenthes bicalcarata


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A classic: The carnivorous/ant-plant!

 

The tendril of the pitcher is swollen and hollow, and house ants (Camponotus schmitzii).

Other particularities, the liquid of the pitcher is not so acid (about 5 pH) and not viscous and the inner side of the pitcher is not slippery. Ants come into the pitcher, swin in the liquid to catch big preys! Studys prove that the removal of big insects is benefitic for the plant: such preys couldn't be digest, so pitcher's life is increased. More, Nepenthes bicalcarata's specimen which house Camponotus schmitzii wear a biggest number of pitchers, and each pitcher is more big than pitchers from a plant who doesn't have associated ants.

 

Lower pitcher:

 

807673DSC0536.jpg

 

Upper pitcher:

 

456592Nepenthesbicalcarata1.jpg

 

 

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