pitcher plants at macritchie's water edge

found these pitcher plants growing by the water edge not far from the bandstand at macritchie reservoir.

the nepenthes plant, commonly known as the tropical pitcher plant captures its prey by means of the pitfall method. nepenthes are strikingly different in appearance from other passive varieties of carnivorous plants. pitchers are located growing from the ends of some leaves by what could appear to be an umbilical cord, called a tendril. nepenthes pitchers also contain water and digestive enzymes like the sarracenia and darlingtonia.

the prey is attracted to the pitcher in much the same manner, by colour and odour. downward pointing hairs inside the pitcher also make it very difficult for the visitor to escape.

some species of nepenthes can grow pitchers large enough to capture small animals such as frogs, etc. for instance, the pitcher of the n. rajah can grow to be as large as a rugby football!