Inventory of Pitcher Plant (Nepenthes sp.) and Its Existence in North Sumatra Indonesia

Abstract

Nepenthes sp. is a carnivorous plant with unique shape and color shades. This unique plant has a special leaf modification called a pitcher which has the capability in catching insects and small animals. The purpose of this research was to know the types and habitat of Nepenthes sp. that found in six regencies in North Sumatra. The pitcher plants inventoried from South Tapanuli, Central Tapanuli, Humbanghasundutan, Toba Samosir, Dairi and Samosir regency in North Sumatra. The research type and method were conducted by descriptive qualitative and survey method research. The morphology data of Nepenthes sp. used to identify the types of Nepenthes sp. in North Sumatra. Inventory result of Nepenthes sp. from six regency showed that there were five original species in North Sumatra namely Nepenthes tobaica, Nepenthes gracilis, Nepenthes ampullaria, Nepenthes eustachya, Nepenthes rhombicaulis and one natural hybrid species Nepenthes reinwardtiana x spectabilis. Nepenthes tobaica, Nepenthes gracilis had upper and lower pitchers while Nepenthes ampullaria, Nepenthes eustachya, Nepenthes rhombicaulis and Nepenthes reinwardtiana x spectabilis just had an upper or lower pitcher. All species lived in low or high lands and most of them found in peat area, high humidity, and high light intensity.