Heliamphora heterodoxa

Heliamphora heterodoxa (Greek: heteros = other, doxa = opinion, belief) is a species of marsh pitcher plant native to Venezuela[2] and adjacent Guyana.[3] It was first discovered in 1944 on the slopes interlinking Ptari-tepui and Sororopan-tepui and formally described in 1951.[2]

Heliamphora heterodoxa
Heliamphora heterodoxa in cultivation
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Sarraceniaceae
Genus: Heliamphora
Species:
H. heterodoxa
Binomial name
Heliamphora heterodoxa
Native range
Synonyms

This Heliamphora is closely related to H. glabra and the latter was for a long time considered a form of H. heterodoxa. It is one of four Heliamphora taxa formally described by Julian A. Steyermark.[4]

Heliamphora heterodoxa is known to tolerate slightly higher temperatures compared to other Heliamphora species, due to its habitats being located in upland wetlands and lower elevation Pantepui habitats (approx. 1200m - 1500m a.s.l.). The plant grows vigorously and exhibits a large, overhanging nectar spoon.

Etymology

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The name "heterodoxa", meaning "variable", was given to the species by J.A. Steyermark who had observed that "considerable variation occurs within this species".[2] An expedition to the locus classicus of H. heterodoxa on the southwestern slopes of Ptari-tepui undertaken in May 2018 confirmed occurrences of one other species of Heliamphora, H. collina, as well as a H. collina x purpurascens hybrid swarm being present at the very same location.[5]

Infraspecific taxa

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  • Heliamphora heterodoxa var. exappendiculata Maguire & Steyerm. (1978) [=H. exappendiculata]
  • Heliamphora heterodoxa var. exappendiculata f. glabella Steyerm. (1984) [=H. minor]
  • Heliamphora heterodoxa var. glabra Maguire (1978) [=H. glabra]
  • Heliamphora heterodoxa f. glabra (Maguire) Steyerm. (1984) [=H. glabra]

References

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  1. ^ Steyermark, J.A. et al. (May 18, 1951). Sarraceniaceae. [pp. 239–242] In: Contributions to the flora of Venezuela. Botanical exploration in Venezuela - 1. Fieldiana: Botany 28(1): 1–242.
  2. ^ a b c Steyermark, Julian A. (1951). Contributions to the flora of Venezuela /. Vol. v.28:no.1 (1951). Chicago, Ill.: Chicago Natural History Museum. pp. 239–242.
  3. ^ Wrazidlo, M. (September 2021). "Waukauyengtipu and Uchii River Uplands Expedition 2019 - report with photographic observations of carnivorous flora of the Paruima territory in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni Region of Guyana". Carnivorous Plant Newsletter. 50 (3): 141–152. doi:10.55360/cpn503.mw783. S2CID 246971484.
  4. ^ Taylor, M.S. (1989). Plant taxa described by Julian A. Steyermark. Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 76(3): 652–780. doi:10.2307/2399648
  5. ^ Wrazidlo, M. (December 2019). "Quest for the origin of Heliamphora heterodoxa. Report of May 2018 expedition to Venezuela with carnivorous flora occurrences in the base areas of Ptari-tepui" (PDF). Carnivorous Plant Newsletter. 48 (4): 183–187. doi:10.55360/cpn484.mw500. S2CID 247018527.

Further reading

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