Nepenthes ephippiata

Description & Care

Tom Bennet

By Tom Bennet

Last updated on Nov 28, 2024

I've been growing a wide variety of carnivorous plants for over 2 decades. I got my first Venus flytrap at age 10 and now have an entire greenhouse full of carnivores.

Nepenthes ephippiata is a very hard-to-find species, both in the wild and in cultivation. Native to some of the most remote parts of Borneo, the species is named for the huge, saddle-shaped lids found on its upper pitchers.

The species is closely related to Nepenthes lowii. Pitchers on both species are tough and woody in texture, with long bristly hairs growing on the underside of the lids of the lowers. Both species have dramatically distorted upper pitchers that produce copious amounts of exudate. It’s likely that N. ephippiata, like its close relative, uses this as bait to attract shrews and other small mammals that leave their droppings in the pitchers, but this has yet to be confirmed.

There are two forms circulating in cultivation. The first is from Mount Raya in Kalimantan (this one’s often available from tissue culture, including from Borneo Exotics), and the second is from the Hose Mountains of central Sarawak. The latter is - in my experience - easier to cultivate. It also produces larger pitchers with striking red/purple coloration. Some experts believe these two forms will one day be separated by taxonomists into separate genera - I’m yet to grow the Raya form to maturity, so cannot comment.

The Hose Mountains form is particularly easy to cultivate, at least compared to other highland species like N. lowii. It’s tolerant of intermediate through to highland conditions, and grows steadily year-round as long as humidity and light remain optimal. Overall, a stunning species and one of my favourites - highly recommended!