Nepenthes Bellii
About
A notable climbing species, *Nepenthes bellii* is endemic to the Philippine islands of Mindanao and Dinagat. It is characterized by its robust growth habit, reaching heights of up to 10 meters, and its pitchers, which display striking color variations and detailed structures.
Field notes
Morphology
The plant is a climbing species, growing up to 10 m high, with a terete or slightly angular stem up to 5 mm in diameter. Leaves are coriaceous, linear to slightly lanceolate, measuring up to 18 cm by 3 cm. Lower pitchers are cylindrical or ellipsoidal, reaching 9 cm high by 5 cm wide, featuring a bulbous peristome up to 10 mm wide with ribs and teeth. Upper pitchers are infundibular, reaching 7.5 cm high by 3 cm wide, with a peristome up to 5 mm wide. The lid is elliptic to ovate, measuring up to 4 cm by 3.5 cm.
Distribution & habitat
Endemic to the Philippine islands of Mindanao and Dinagat, with an altitudinal range of 0–800 m above sea level.
History & etymology
Formally described by Katsuhiko Kondo in 1969. The specific epithet bellii honors American botanist Clyde Ritchie Bell.
Conservation
Assessed as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List.
Habitat
- Altitude
- 0–800 m
- Altitude class
- lowland
- Native to
- Philippines, Mindanao
- IUCN status
- Least Concern
Taxonomy
- Described
- 1969
- Authority
- K.Kondo
Cultivation
- Difficulty
- intermediate
- Temperature
- Varies by altitude
- Humidity
- 70–95%
