Re: CP & orchids

Jim Croft (jrc@anbg.gov.au)
Mon, 2 Aug 1993 20:07:15 +1000 (EST)

> Jim, interesting! Am I to assume then that ALL highland Nepenthes originate
> from Mt. Kinabalu?
> -Michael

No, I do not think you can make any assumptions about the origins of the
genus Nepenthes. I am not sure where the centre of diversity of the
genus is - a place of high diversity may be a centre of evolutionary
radiation, not necesarily a center of origin.

Mathew Jebb, director of the Christensen Research Institute in Madang,
PNG, prepared a treatment/revision of the genus in New Guinea and
surrounding islands . I do not recall, off hand, the publication
details, but I remember it had descriptions of each species, botanical
keys and line drawings.

I am not sure if he is still working on the genus.

Mathew's main interest was on mutually beneficial associations between
plants and insects, rather than the one-sided affair of Nepenthes,
Drosera, etc. He was working on the ant-plant genera of the Rubiaceae,
Myrmecodia, Hydnophytum and new genus (whose name escapes me for the
moment) that he described, and the structure and function their swollen
and excavated homes for ants. Althogher more sensitive and new-age
than rapacious carnivourous plants :-)

jim
___________________________________________________________________________
Jim Croft [Herbarium CBG] internet: jrc@anbg.gov.au
Australian National Botanic Gardens voice: +61-6-2509 490
GPO Box 1777, Canberra, ACT 2601, AUSTRALIA fax: +61-6-2509 599
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