Nepenthes (genus, tropical pitcher plants, "Utsubokazura")

Japanese name: ウツボカズラ （靫葛、靫蔓）
Scientific name: Nepenthes

[Overview]
Mostly climbing, herbaceous or woody carnivorous plants that grow on the ground or as epiphytes.
The roots are shallow and not well developed.
The leaves are alternate, sword-shaped to elliptic, and entire. The midrib extends from the tip, and a small bud forms at its end and gradually swells into a trap pitcher.
The midrib sometimes becomes a tendril and coils around other objects.
The pitcher contains a liquid (digestive fluid) secreted by the plant. It digests prey that falls in and absorbs the nutrients through glands in the lower part of the pitcher.
The mouth of the pitcher has a lid. When the pitcher matures, the lid opens, which prevents rainwater from entering the pitcher and diluting the digestive fluid, and also acts as a trap: prey taking shelter from the rain slips and falls into the pitcher.
The mouth of the pitcher forms a collar-like rim, and some are brightly colored.
The inner wall of the pitcher is slippery and the digestive fluid is viscous, making it difficult for prey to escape.
The shape and color of the pitchers vary. Some plants are dimorphic, bearing pitchers of different shapes and colors on the upper and lower parts of the stem, even on the same plant.
It is dioecious.
A raceme, rarely a panicle, appears at the stem tip and bears small, inconspicuous flowers.
The fruit is a capsule.

[Cultivation]
Propagate by cuttings or layering.
Keep it at 15°C or higher throughout the year; it prefers an environment with high air humidity.
Plant it in sphagnum moss, or use a humus-rich, well-drained soil made of Kanuma soil or Hyuga soil mixed with peat.
It is best placed in a sunny spot, but move it to partial shade to keep it out of the strong midsummer sun.
Some kinds are suited to shade.
Water thoroughly when the planting medium begins to dry, and also mist the leaves frequently.
From spring to autumn, apply oil cake or liquid fertilizer once every 2 months.
Pests and diseases include leaf spot, spider mites, scale insects and aphids.

[Notes]
The Japanese name compares the trap pitcher to the utsubo, a quiver for holding arrows.

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