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Nepenthes

Nepenthes are a genus if carnivorous plants from Southeast Asia including the Philippines, Borneo New Guinea, Indonesia, Malaysia and North Australia. This unusual genus has a number of species from lowland to highland types that are able to grow in warm to cool conditions depending on elevation. The tip of the leaf produces a pitcher or trap that has a comb or peristome around the top that allows insects in but doesn’t allow them out. The enzymes produced inside the pitcher dissolve the insect and the resulting nutrients are absorbed by the plant which allows it to grow and reproduce. These plants are generally easy to grow but require some modifications of the environment including higher humidity, pure water and the right light and temperatures.