Nepenthes leyte explained

Nepenthes leyte is a tropical pitcher plant native to the Philippines. It appears to be endemic to the island of Leyte, after which it is named. It has been recorded from submontane mossy forest at 900 m altitude.

This species belongs to the informal "N. alata group", which also includes N. alata, N. ceciliae, N. copelandii, N. extincta, N. graciliflora, N. hamiguitanensis, N. kitanglad, N. kurata, N. mindanaoensis, N. negros, N. ramos, N. saranganiensis, and N. ultra.^{[1] [2] [3]} These species are united by a number of morphological characters, including winged petioles, lids with basal ridges on the lower surface (often elaborated into appendages), and upper pitchers that are usually broadest near the base.

It has been suggested that N. leyte might fall within the natural variability of N. ramos, though field studies would be needed to confirm this.^[4]

References

• Smith, L. (2014). Pitcher perfect - but carnivorous plants are at risk. The Independent, January 5, 2014.

Notes and References

1. Cheek, M. & M. Jebb (2013). Typification and redelimitation of Nepenthes alata with notes on the N. alata group, and N. negros sp. nov. from the Philippines. Nordic Journal of Botany 31(5): 616–622.
2. Cheek, M. & M. Jebb (2013). Nepenthes ramos (Nepenthaceae), a new species from Mindanao, Philippines. Willdenowia 43(1): 107–111.
3. Cheek, M. & M. Jebb (2013). Nepenthes ultra (Nepenthaceae), a new species from Luzon, Philippines. Blumea, published online on October 24, 2013.
4. Gronemeyer, T., W. Suarez, H. Nuytemans, M. Calaramo, A. Wistuba, F.S. Mey & V.B. Amoroso (2016). Two new Nepenthes species from the Philippines and an emended description of Nepenthes ramos. Plants 5(2): 23.