Question
Hi!
    I have received incredible news from an internet article. I have heard that although Nepenthes rajah takes 10 years to flower from seed, it can take 100 years to reach absolute full size. I also read that the full-sized pitchers can be 40cm (16 1/4 in) tall, and are capable of holding about 3.5 liters of liquid, and in excess 2.5 liters of digestive fluid. In that same article, I read that if climatic conditions do not change, Nepenthes rajah has an indefinite lifespan, and it is reported to have caught monkeys. I have also heard that N. rajah has no slippery zone in the pitchers and is entirely covered on the inside with large digestive glands. Is any of this true? If it would help, visit www.wikipedia.org (Nepenthes rajah) where I found the information.

Dave

Answer
Hi Dave,

The general information such as size, longevity, etc... are accurate.  This is pretty well known and can be found in many books.  Before this totally leaves you in awe about N. rajah, however, many Nepenthes have very long lifespans which can be indefinite.  It wouldn't surprise me at all if many of the slower growing highlanders could exceed 100 years in age, especially when you see pictures of their massive vines.  We have plants that are over 20 and going strong.

The part about the monkeys.  Be sure to go back and read the article again.  Here's a quote from that article:  "Another myth surrounding this species is that it occasionally catches small monkeys and other large animals in its pitchers."

Wikipedia tends to be a good place to get started when trying to find out information on a subject, but always check sources.  If it sounds outlandish, it often is.  If you are looking for more in-depth information on Nepenthes, books by Charles Clarke are excellent.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com