Nepenthes attenboroughii

Nepenthes attenboroughii
A lower pitcher of N. attenboroughii showing the characteristic bell-shaped pitchers and upright lid of this species
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Nepenthaceae
Genus: Nepenthes
Species:
N. attenboroughii
Binomial name
Nepenthes attenboroughii

Nepenthes attenboroughii (/nɪˈpɛnθiːz ˌætənˈbʌriaɪ, - ˌætənbəˈroʊɡiaɪ/), or Attenborough's pitcher plant,[3] is a montane species of carnivorous pitcher plant of the genus Nepenthes. It is named after the celebrated broadcaster and naturalist Sir David Attenborough,[4][5] who is a keen enthusiast of the genus. The species is characterised by its large and distinctive bell-shaped lower and upper pitchers and narrow, upright lid.[2] The type specimen of N. attenboroughii was collected on the summit of Mount Victoria, an ultramafic mountain in central Palawan, the Philippines.[2]

In May 2010, the International Institute for Species Exploration at Arizona State University selected N. attenboroughii as one of the "top 10 new species described in 2009".[6][7] The species appeared on the 2012 list of the world's 100 most threatened species compiled by the IUCN Species Survival Commission in collaboration with the Zoological Society of London.[3]

  1. ^ Robinson, A.S.; Madulid, D.A. (2012). "Nepenthes attenboroughii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012. IUCN: e.T159126A790335. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012-1.RLTS.T159126A790335.en.
  2. ^ a b c Robinson, A.S., A.S. Fleischmann, S.R. McPherson, V.B. Heinrich, E.P. Gironella & C.Q. Peña 2009. A spectacular new species of Nepenthes L. (Nepenthaceae) pitcher plant from central Palawan, Philippines. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 159(2): 195–202. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8339.2008.00942.x
  3. ^ a b Baillie, J.E.M. & E.R. Butcher 2012. Priceless or Worthless? The world's most threatened species. Archived 2012-10-21 at the Wayback Machine Zoological Society of London, United Kingdom.
  4. ^ George, A. & K. Austen 2009. #AskAttenborough: Your questions answered. New Scientist, May 15, 2009.
  5. ^ Smyth, C. 2009. Giant rat-eating nepenthes plant named after David Attenborough[dead link]. Times Online, August 18, 2009.
  6. ^ Scientists select new species for top 10 list; issue SOS. ASU News, May 20, 2010.
  7. ^ Top 10 - 2010: Attenborough's Pitcher Archived 2010-05-25 at the Wayback Machine. International Institute for Species Exploration.