Nepenthes alata, a rare carnivorous plant

If, as Baudelaire said, the beautiful is the bizarre, then Nepenthes alata is magnificent. With its deep urns and hairy stems, this plant native to the Philippines is like no other.

Nepenthes alata is an epiphytic or terrestrial carnivorous plant. In its natural habitat, this climbing shrub reaches several meters in height. Its lianas can even exceed four meters. Potted in temperate climates, it reaches a maximum height of 30 centimetres with a spread of 50.

Scattered leaves grow on hairy stems. The lanceolate blades are up to 20 centimetres long and five centimetres wide. White or red hairs may adorn the glossy green foliage.

The trap is located at the tip of the leaf. Depending on the variety, it can be any shade of green, red, orange or violet. It takes the form of a rounded urn crowned by a sloping lid. This prevents rainwater from entering the tank and diluting the digestive fluid. The smallest traps, located close to the foot, are 18 centimetres long. The larger, upper ascidians are over 20 centimetres long.

Nepenthes alata flowers in summer. The green and red flowers have four tepals. Each plant has both male and female flowers. In autumn, they turn into tough, seed-filled capsules.

Ruthless to insects, Nepenthes alata is harmless to humans and pets. Its foliage and urns are non-toxic, and the entrance to the traps is too small for a dog or cat to taste the nectar.

In garden centers and on the Internet, most carnivorous plants sold under the name Nepenthes alata are actually hybrids, Nepenthes ventrata. But don't panic! Both can be grown in the same way. But there are many ways to tell them apart. If you want to know which variety of Nepenthes you have, look at the peristome. In Nepenthes alata, the neck of the trap is green and regular in shape. In Nepenthes ventrata, it's wavy and bright red.