Giant Pitcher Plant

Nepenthes rajah forms the largest pitchers of any carnivorous plant, capable of holding over three litres of fluid. It traps insects — and occasionally small vertebrates — to supplement nutrients in poor mountain soils.

It shares a remarkable mutualism with tree shrews and rats, which feed on its nectar and deposit nutrients in return. Cibodas's highland collection preserves several Nepenthes species.

Key traits