Heliamphora chimantensis
Heliamphora chimantensis
Heliamphora chimantensis is a carnivorous plant in the genus of marsh pitchers.
Features
Heliamphora chimantensis is a herbaceous plant. The tubes are 20 to 35 cm long, colored 3.5 to 5 cm wide and green in the upper part. The upper part of the tubes is completely hairless on the inside. The deep red cover is 1 to 2 cm wide, 2 to 2.5 cm long, spoon-shaped and pointed. On the inside of the lid there are irregularly shaped small glands with about 5 mm in diameter. These glands produce a lot of nectar and spread a honey-like fragrance. There is a long v - shaped incision, which serves as an overflow for the rain water on the front of the sheet. Most other Heliamphora species have for a hole-like opening.
The inflorescence has up to 5 flowers and grows up to 70 cm tall. The flat seeds is about 2 mm long, ovate and irregularly winged. The propagation through the branching rhizome plants form dense, often large colonies that can reach several meters in diameter. It is believed that its own microclimate generated by the close interaction of individual plants standing like the alpine cushion plants.
Occurrence and habitat
Heliamphora chimantensis occurs on the Chimantá - tepui in southern Venezuela near the border with Guyana. The Chimantá massif consists of eleven mesas that are difficult to achieve because of its steep flanks. The island-like isolation of the mountains has led to endemic flora that could be explored in detail only in recent decades. This vegetation is ombrotrophisch, ie of the heavy rainfall dependent, contributing to karstification and bog formation on the high plains. The peat bogs and wetlands are the habitat of Heliamphora chimantensis and many other carnivorous plants such as Heliamphora minor and Drosera kaieteurensis.
Heliamphora chimantensis grows in damp river valleys of the massif Chimantá up in 2000 meters altitude. The vegetation here is savannennartig low and consists of grasses such as Xyris and Stegolepis and bromeliads. The nutrient supply of the soil in this area is low. Heliamphora chimantensis prefers sunny locations and forms a plant community with Stegolepis ligulata ( Rapateaceae ) Adenanthe bicarpellata ( Ochnaceae ) and various Brocchinia species ( Bromeliaceae ).
Hybridization
On Chimantá there is a hybridization between Heliamphora Heliamphora pulchella and chimantensis. Heliamphora pulchella was in 2005 described as a separate species, before the population had been counted on to Chimantá Heliamphora minor.
The hybrids differ from Heliamphora chimantensis shorter hoses, red veins and coarse bristles inside the tubes. Some of the hybrids show deep red tubes, similar to the shape of Heliamphora pulchella, which occurs on Chimantá. Also the helmet shows clear influences of H. pulchella.
System
Despite the possibility of hybrid formation between Heliamphora Heliamphora minor Heliamphora chimantensis chimantensis and is closer to the south occurring species Heliamphora Heliamphora tatei and neblinae used as with those of the Gran Sabana, located in the Chimantá. All known species from this region have 10 to 15 stamens, with the exception of H. chimantensis. It has about 20 stamens as H. tatei and their close relatives H. neblinae, which was held earlier tatei for a variety of H.. H. chimantensis can be distinguished from the two species further south spread through the length of the stamens. She is 7 to 9 mm in H. chimantensis only 5 millimeters, with the other two species.