Nepenthes rajah is an insectivorous pitcher plant species of the monotypic Nepenthaceae
family. It is endemic to Mount Kinabalu and neighbouring Mount Tambuyukon in Sabah,
Malaysian Borneo. N. rajah grows exclusively on serpentine substrates, particularly in areas of
seeping ground water, where the soil is loose and permanently moist. Nepenthes rajah, the
most famous of all pitcher plants, produces traps up to 40 cm in height and has been known to
catch prey as large as rats, frogs and lizards. MYTH- Another myth surrounding this species is that it occasionally catches small monkeys
and other large animals in its pitchers. Such tales have persisted for a very long time, but can
probably be explained as rodents being mistaken for other species. It is interesting to note
that one common name for Nepenthes plants is 'Monkey Cups'. The name refers to the fact
that monkeys have been observed drinking rainwater from these plants. Thus, in a sense, this
mythology may have some basis in fact.
family. It is endemic to Mount Kinabalu and neighbouring Mount Tambuyukon in Sabah,
Malaysian Borneo. N. rajah grows exclusively on serpentine substrates, particularly in areas of
seeping ground water, where the soil is loose and permanently moist. Nepenthes rajah, the
most famous of all pitcher plants, produces traps up to 40 cm in height and has been known to
catch prey as large as rats, frogs and lizards. MYTH- Another myth surrounding this species is that it occasionally catches small monkeys
and other large animals in its pitchers. Such tales have persisted for a very long time, but can
probably be explained as rodents being mistaken for other species. It is interesting to note
that one common name for Nepenthes plants is 'Monkey Cups'. The name refers to the fact
that monkeys have been observed drinking rainwater from these plants. Thus, in a sense, this
mythology may have some basis in fact.
