This is the largest Australian carnivorous plant.

Tropical Pitcher Plant - Nepenthes mirabilis - Photo by Bill Hinton

It is wide spread in the tropical north of Queensland, and variable in form. TROPICAL PITCHER PLANT is a climbing plant, attaining considerable height in damp situations.

The thick glossy leaves almost strap-like narrowing to a long tendril which terminates in a pitcher. Numerous nectar producing glands are on the under-surface of the lid and within the rim of the pitcher. The inner surface of the pitcher is waxy.

Ants and insects attracted by the nectar are apt to lose a foothold on the waxy surface and consequently fall into the liquid which partially fills the pitcher. The movements of the wet, struggling insect stimulate glands to secrete a strong digestive fluid. The soluble particles of the insect are absorbed by the plant and the remainder accumulates in the bottom of the pitcher. We have examined dead pitcher and found many hundreds of ant "husks" in them.

TROPICAL PITCHER PLANT can be cultivated successfully in areas with high humidity. There are male and female plants and the small green flowers, which are quite separate from the pitchers, form in racemes. The seed is contained in small capsules, and germinate readily.