View source for Nepenthes mollis

{{short description|Tropical pitcher plant endemic to Borneo}}
{{update|reason=to reflect rediscovery of N. mollis and synonymisation of N. hurrelliana.|date=October 2019}}
{{Speciesbox
|image = Nepenthes mollis Endert 4282.jpg
|image_caption = Figure 14 of "[[The Nepenthaceae of the Netherlands Indies]]", showing the [[holotype]] of ''Nepenthes mollis'' (''Endert 4282'').
|status = DD
|status_system = IUCN2.3
|status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Clarke, C. |author2=Cantley, R. |author3=Nerz, J. |author4=Rischer, H. |author5=Witsuba, A. |date=2000 |title=''Nepenthes mollis'' |volume=2000 |page=e.T39679A10255591 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2000.RLTS.T39679A10255591.en |access-date=19 November 2021}}</ref>
|genus = Nepenthes
|species = mollis
|authority = [[B. H. Danser|Danser]] (1928)
|}}
{{Location map
 |Borneo
 |label=
 |lat=1.866667
 |long=116.183333
 |position=left
 |width=300
 |float=right
 |caption=Location of Mount Kemul
}}
[[Image:Gunung Kongkemul.png|thumb|300px|Satellite image centered on Mount Kemul]]

'''''Nepenthes mollis''''' ({{IPAc-en|n|ᵻ|ˈ|p|ɛ|n|θ|iː|z|_|ˈ|m|ɒ|l|ɪ|s}}; from [[Latin]]: ''[[wikt:mollis|mollis]]'' = soft; referring to the covering of hairs),<ref name=P&L>Phillipps, A. & A. Lamb 1996. ''[[Pitcher-Plants of Borneo]]''. Natural History Publications (Borneo), Kota Kinabalu.</ref> or the '''velvet pitcher-plant''',<ref name=P&L /> is a tropical [[pitcher plant]] species natives to [[Kalimantan]], [[Borneo]]. It used to be known only from a single dried [[herbarium]] specimen<ref>McPherson, S.R. & A. Robinson 2012. ''[[Field Guide to the Pitcher Plants of Borneo]]''. Redfern Natural History Productions, Poole.</ref> and is the sole recognised species in the [[genus]] ''[[Nepenthes]]'' of which the pitchers are unknown. In 2019 Global Wildlife Conservation announced the rediscovery of the species.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.globalwildlife.org/velvet-pitcher-plant/|title=Velvet Pitcher Plant|work=Global Wildlife Conservation|language=en-US}}</ref>

The habitat of ''N. mollis'' is listed as dense forest on a steep slope at an elevation of 1,800 m.<ref name=Danser>Danser, B.H. 1928. [[The Nepenthaceae of the Netherlands Indies]]. ''Bulletin du Jardin Botanique de Buitenzorg'', Série III, '''9'''(3–4): 249–438.</ref> The species is only known from [[Mount Kemul]], the [[Type locality (biology)|type locality]], although a wider distribution is possible, as several higher neighbouring mountains remain unexplored.<ref name=Clarke>Clarke, C.M. 1997. ''[[Nepenthes of Borneo]]''.  Natural History Publications (Borneo), Kota Kinabalu.</ref> [[Charles Clarke (botanist)|Charles Clarke]] suggests that it may occur in [[mossy forest]].<ref name=Clarke />

''Nepenthes mollis'' has no known [[natural hybrid]]s.<ref name=McPherson>McPherson, S.R. 2009. ''[[Pitcher Plants of the Old World]]''. 2 volumes. Redfern Natural History Productions, Poole.</ref> No [[Infraspecific taxon|infraspecific taxa]] of this species have been described.<ref name=McPherson /> ''Nepenthes mollis'' has no nomenclatural or taxonomic [[Synonym (taxonomy)|synonyms]].<ref name=McPherson /> Its [[conservation status]] is listed as [[Data Deficient]] on the [[IUCN Red List|2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species]].<ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021" />

==Discovery and type material==

''Nepenthes mollis'' has only been collected once, on October 17, 1925 by [[Frederik Endert]] on [[Mount Kemul]]{{Ref_label|A|note a|none}} in [[East Kalimantan]]. The plant was collected near the summit of the mountain, at an elevation of approximately 1,800 m. It was discovered during an expedition to central Borneo by the Forest Research Institute of [[Bogor]] (then known as Buitenzorg), on which Endert also collected ''[[Nepenthes fusca|N. fusca]]'' for the first time.<ref>{{in lang|nl}} Endert, F.H. 1927. Botanisch en floristisch verslag. In: D.W. Buijs, H. Witkkamp, F.H. Endert, H.C. Siebers & D.F.K. Bosch. ''Midden-Oost-Borneo Expeditie 1925''. G. Kolff & Co., Weltevreden.</ref>{{Ref_label|B|note b|none}}

''Nepenthes mollis'' was [[Species description|formally described]] in 1928 by [[B. H. Danser]] in his seminal monograph "[[The Nepenthaceae of the Netherlands Indies]]".{{Ref_label|C|note c|none}} Danser wrote of this species:<ref name=Danser />

<blockquote>Though from this plant, collected by Endert on the last Borneo expedition, the pitchers are unknown, the other parts are so peculiar and differ from all other species in such a striking manner, that it seems allowed to me to base a new species on it. It was found on a steep mountain slope, covered with dense forest at 1800 m above sea level. It reminds one to the other species, discovered by Endert on the same mountain, ''viz. [[Nepenthes fusca|N. fusca]]'', by its colour and its red-brown indumentum, but it differs by its quite other leaf shape and nervation, and its still denser indumentum.</blockquote>

The [[Type (botany)|type specimen]] of ''N. mollis'', ''Endert 4282'', is deposited at Herbarium Bogoriense (BO), the [[herbarium]] of the [[Bogor Botanical Gardens]]. It consists of a stem with leaves and a male [[inflorescence]]. The pitchers and female flowers of this species are unknown.<ref name=P&L />

==Description==

Danser's original description of ''N. mollis'' and all subsequent descriptions are based on the single specimen of this species deposited at the herbarium of the Bogor Botanical Gardens.

''Nepenthes mollis'' appears to be a climbing plant. The stem grows to at least 4 m in length<ref name=Clarke /> and is 6 to 9&nbsp;mm thick. The section bearing adult leaves is cylindrical or "somewhat obtusely angular or flattened". [[Plant stem|Internodes]] are 10 to 15&nbsp;cm long. Short stems and rosettes are unknown.<ref name=Danser />

Leaves on the climbing stem are [[wikt:coriaceous|coriaceous]], scattered, and [[wikt:sessile|sessile]]. [[Leaf|Laminae]] are [[wikt:lanceolate|lanceolate]] or spathulate-lanceolate in morphology, approximately 18 to 20&nbsp;cm long, and 3.5 to 4.5&nbsp;cm wide. The apex of the lamina is acute. Margins are parallel to the [[wikt:midrib|midrib]] near the base, becoming [[wikt:decurrent|decurrent]] into two wings. The wings are gradually [[wikt:attenuate|attenuate]], 1&nbsp;cm wide at the top, and 4 to 6&nbsp;cm long. The base of the lamina is about 2&nbsp;cm wide. The leaves possess indistinct nervation. [[wikt:pinnate|Pinnate]] veins are at first [[wikt:oblique|oblique]], before curving towards the leaf margin and forming one, or rarely two, longitudinal veins on each side.<ref name=Danser />

[[Tendril]]s are up to 10&nbsp;cm long,<ref name=Clarke /> about 1.5 to 2&nbsp;mm wide near the lamina, and up to 2.5&nbsp;mm wide towards the pitcher. Developed tendrils seem to always possess a loop. The pitchers themselves are unknown.<ref name=Danser />

''Nepenthes mollis'' has a [[raceme|racemose]] [[inflorescence]]. The female inflorescence is unknown. The male inflorescence is densely covered with flowers and is described by Danser as "not robust" and "at last seemingly lateral". The [[Peduncle (botany)|peduncle]] is approximately 7.5&nbsp;cm long, 4&nbsp;mm wide at the base, and 3&nbsp;mm wide at the top. The [[rachis]] is gradually [[wikt:attenuate|attenuate]] and 10 to 15&nbsp;cm long. Lower partial peduncles are about 12&nbsp;mm long, the upper ones being slightly shorter. All are two-flowered and do not possess a [[bract]]. [[Sepal]]s are elliptic, obtuse, and approximately 4&nbsp;mm long. The [[stamen|staminal]] column is about 4.5&nbsp;mm long, including the singly [[wikt:seriation|seriate]] [[anther]]s.<ref name=Danser /> A study of 120 [[pollen]] samples taken from the [[type specimen]] (''Endert 4282'') found the mean pollen diameter to be 37.2&nbsp;[[Micrometre|μm]] ([[Standard error (statistics)|SE]] = 0.4; [[coefficient of variation|CV]] = 6.1%).<ref>Adam, J.H. & C.C. Wilcock 1999. {{cite web|url= http://psasir.upm.edu.my/3779/1/Palynological_Study_of_Bornean_Nepenthes_%28Nepenthaceae%29.pdf |title=Palynological study of Bornean ''Nepenthes'' (Nepenthaceae). }} ''Pertanika Journal of Tropical Agricultural Science'' '''22'''(1): 1–7.</ref>

All parts of the plant are covered in an [[indumentum]] of very dense brown hairs. The stem has a velvety coating of dense, coarse, brown, spreading hairs. These hairs are up to 2&nbsp;mm long, some being shorter and branched, others longer and unbranched. A similar, though longer and much denser, covering of hairs exists on younger parts of the stem and near the [[wikt:axil|axils]], on the underside and top of the [[wikt:midrib|midrib]], and on the undeveloped pitchers. The underside of the leaves is densely [[wikt:hirsute|hirsute]] and bears short branched and longer unbranched, softer hairs. The upper surface is also densely hirsute, but has short, simple, whitish hairs. The peduncle and axis are entirely covered in an indumentum of red-brown hairs. The partial peduncles, sepals, and staminal column bear short, crisp hairs.<ref name=Danser />

Danser describes the colour of herbarium specimens as "fallow-dun to ochraceous-brown, the indumentum dark-red-brown".<ref name=Danser />

==Taxonomy==

Danser placed ''N. mollis'' in the [[clade]] ''[[Nepenthes classification|Regiae]]'', together with 14 other species: ''[[Nepenthes boschiana|N. boschiana]]'', ''[[Nepenthes burbidgeae|N. burbidgeae]]'', ''[[Nepenthes clipeata|N. clipeata]]'', ''[[Nepenthes ephippiata|N. ephippiata]]'', ''[[Nepenthes fusca|N. fusca]]'', ''[[Nepenthes klossii|N. klossii]]'', ''[[Nepenthes lowii|N. lowii]]'', ''[[Nepenthes maxima|N. maxima]]'', ''[[Nepenthes maxima|N. oblanceolata]]'' (now considered a [[Synonym (taxonomy)|junior synonym]] of ''N. maxima''), ''[[Nepenthes pilosa|N. pilosa]]'', ''[[Nepenthes rajah|N. rajah]]'', ''[[Nepenthes stenophylla|N. stenophylla]]'', ''[[Nepenthes truncata|N. truncata]]'', and ''[[Nepenthes veitchii|N. veitchii]]''. With regards to the classification of ''N. mollis'', Danser wrote:<ref name=Danser />

<blockquote>The taxonomic place of ''N. ephippiata'' and ''N. mollis'' is uncertain, as the pitchers are unknown, but the coarse stems and leaves, the yellowish colour of the former and the abundant hirsute indumentum and red-brown colour of the latter leave hardly any doubt whether both are ''Regiae''.</blockquote>

[[Matthew Jebb]], in his account of ''Nepenthes'' in [[New Guinea]], suggests that ''N. mollis'' "may have a similar growth-form to that of ''[[Nepenthes ampullaria|N. ampullaria]]'', with the climbing stems rarely, if ever, producing pitchers".<ref name=P&L /><ref>Jebb, M.H.P. 1991. [[An account of Nepenthes in New Guinea|An account of ''Nepenthes'' in New Guinea]]. ''Science in New Guinea'' '''17'''(1): 7–54.</ref>

In ''[[Nepenthes of Borneo]]'', [[Charles Clarke (botanist)|Charles Clarke]] notes that "from Fig. 14 in Danser (1928), [''N. mollis''] looks somewhat like ''[[Nepenthes hirsuta|N. hirsuta]]''", although he states that it seems to be larger than that species.<ref name=Clarke /> [[Jan Schlauer]] also suspects it is related to ''N. hirsuta''.<ref name=email>Schlauer, J. 1994. [http://www.omnisterra.com/botany/cp/list/cp94alld/2354.htm NEPENTHES comments for Flora Malesiana]. Carnivorous Plant Mailing List, September 9, 1994.</ref>

==Possible rediscovery==

In 1999, an article by Bruce Salmon entitled "''Nepenthes mollis'' (Nepenthaceae)—Rediscovered?" was published in the ''[[Carnivorous Plant Newsletter]]''. In the article, Salmon describes male specimens of an unidentified ''Nepenthes'' species, referred to as ''N.'' sp.,{{Ref_label|D|note d|none}} collected on [[Mount Lumarku]] at an altitude of 1,700 m in "tall dense forest on an exposed ridge line". Based on close morphological similarities and plausible geographical overlap, he suggests that the unidentified [[taxon]] may represent ''N. mollis''. Salmon compares the two as follows:<ref name=Salmon>Salmon, B.[R.] 1999. {{cite web|url= http://www.carnivorousplants.org/cpn/articles/CPNv28n1p24_26.pdf |title=''Nepenthes mollis'' (Nepenthaceae)—Rediscovered? }}&nbsp;{{small|(561&nbsp;[[Kibibyte|KiB]])}} ''Carnivorous Plant Newsletter'' '''28'''(1): 24–26.</ref>

<blockquote>While describing the stems and leaves [of ''N.'' sp.] I came across a drawing of ''N. mollis'' in Danser's monograph (Danser, 1928). It looked exactly like the pressed specimen that I had in front of me. I then began to compare the two and found that they matched exactly, including the hairiness, except for the following differences.

{| class="wikitable" text-align: left;"
! !! ''N. mollis'' !! ''N.'' sp.
|-
| Leaf Base: || Decurrent into 2 wings, 1 cm broad at the top, 4-6 cm long, gradually attenuate. || Decurrent for 1-2 cm.
|-
| Pedicels: || Without bract. || Bract originating from the base of the pedicel 3-4 mm long.
|}

To bring these differences into perspective, remember that the differences above are both from pressed herbarium specimens and that Danser never saw a live specimen of ''N. mollis''.

In living specimens of ''N.'' sp. the base of the leaf is petiolate in the lower 4-5 cm with the leaf edges curled upwards. When pressed they are flattened and the leaf is narrowly lanceolate as in Danser's drawing of ''N. mollis''. The leaf-sheathing on pressed plants of ''N.'' sp. is also flattened and looks decurrent instead. Without reference to a living plant you would be none the wiser. Could this be the same with Danser's ''N. mollis'' specimen? The degree of supposed leaf decurrence and the bracts on the pedicels can be explained by natural variation within the range of this species. There are enough high mountains between those that contain ''N.'' sp. (G. Lumarku, G. Murud, Meligan Range) in the northwest and ''N. mollis'' (G. Kemul) in the southeast to provide a link between the two.</blockquote>

Salmon also notes that the growth habit of ''N.'' sp. is similar to that proposed for ''N. mollis'', writing "''N. mollis'' reputedly lacks upper pitchers. ''N.'' sp. also exhibits this trait especially in the upper 70 cm of a flowering stem". He suggests that plants may cease pitcher production when stressed, such as during a [[dry season]].<ref name=Salmon />

However, some authors consider the hypothesis equating these two species to be rather improbable.<ref>Steiner, H. 2002. ''[[Borneo: Its Mountains and Lowlands with their Pitcher Plants]]''. Toihaan Publishing Company, Kota Kinabalu.</ref> An editor's note by Jan Schlauer accompanying Salmon's article cautions that live specimens from the [[Type locality (biology)|type locality]] of ''N. mollis'' must be examined before the two taxa are united.<ref name=Salmon />

<blockquote>The identity of the specimens from G. Lumarku with ''N. mollis'' should be proven by comparison with authentic pitchered material from G. Kemul. Unless this is done, the data above cannot be taken as an emendation of Danser's original description of ''N. mollis'' but are only referring to north Bornean plants without doubt.</blockquote>

[[Image:Murud N. hurreliana 14.jpg|thumb|Lower pitcher of ''N. hurrelliana'' from [[Mount Murud]]]]

The unidentified species from Mount Lumarku was [[Species description|formally described]] as ''[[Nepenthes hurrelliana|N. hurrelliana]]'' in 2003 by [[Martin Cheek]] and [[Anthony Lamb (botanist)|Anthony Lamb]].<ref>Cheek, M., M.H.P. Jebb, C.C. Lee, A. Lamb & A. Phillipps. 2003. ''Nepenthes hurrelliana'' (Nepenthaceae), a New Species of Pitcher Plant from Borneo. ''Sabah Parks Nature Journal'' '''6''': 117–124.</ref> Its natural range is now known to cover northern [[Sarawak]], [[Brunei]], and southwestern [[Sabah]], although it has not been recorded from [[Kalimantan]].<ref>Clarke, C.M. & C.C. Lee 2004. ''[[Pitcher Plants of Sarawak]]''. Natural History Publications (Borneo), Kota Kinabalu.</ref> If ''N. mollis'' and ''N. hurrelliana'' were shown to be conspecific, the latter would become a [[synonym (taxonomy)|heterotypic synonym]] of the former.

Recent monographs on the genus maintain that ''N.&nbsp;mollis'' has not been relocated in the wild since Endert's original collection.<ref name=McPherson /><ref name=P&L2008>Phillipps, A., A. Lamb & C.C. Lee 2008. ''[[Pitcher Plants of Borneo]]''. Second Edition. Natural History Publications (Borneo), Kota Kinabalu.</ref> In the 2008 edition of ''[[Pitcher Plants of Borneo]]'', [[Anthea Phillipps]], [[Anthony Lamb (botanist)|Anthony Lamb]], and [[Ch'ien Lee]] write: "some climbing stems of the recently described ''N.&nbsp;hurrelliana'' appear very similar to [''N.&nbsp;mollis''], though it is uncertain if these plants are related".<ref name=P&L2008 />

The pitcher plant is among the 25 “most wanted lost” species that are the focus of Global Wildlife Conservation’s “Search for Lost Species” initiative.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lostspecies.org|title=The Search for Lost Species|work=Global Wildlife Conservation|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{refbegin}}
:a.{{Note_label|A|a|none}}The name of the mountain is variously written as Kemul, Kemoel, Kemal, Kongkemul, and Kong Kemul. In his description of ''N.&nbsp;mollis'', Danser lists the type locality as "G.&nbsp;Kemoel", short for ''Gunung Kemoel'', ''gunung'' being the [[Indonesian language|Indonesian]] and [[Malay language|Malay]] word for "mountain".<ref name=P&L /> Mount Kemul is located at the [[Geographic coordinate system|coordinates]] {{coord|1|51|37|N|116|10|35|E |region:ID-KI_type:mountain_scale:250000 |name=Mount Kemul}}.

:b.{{Note_label|B|b|none}}During September and October 1925, Endert explored the hilly area around Mount Kemul, climbing the summit (1,847&nbsp;m) several times, and the neighbouring valleys of the Long Mehiang, Long Kiau, and Long Petak.<ref>van Steenis-Kruseman, M.J., ''et al.'' 2006. [http://www.nationaalherbarium.nl/fmcollectors/E/EndertFH.htm Cyclopaedia of Malesian Collectors: Frederik Hendrik Endert]. Nationaal Herbarium Nederland.</ref> He collected ''N.&nbsp;fusca'' on October&nbsp;12 and ''N.&nbsp;mollis'' on October&nbsp;17.<ref name=Danser />

:c.{{Note_label|C|c|none}}The description includes a single line drawing of the [[type specimen]] (Fig.&nbsp;14), detailed botanical descriptions in both English and Latin based on the type, and additional notes on the species. The original Latin description reads:<ref name=Danser />

<blockquote>''Folia mediocria'' sessilia, lamina lanceolata v. spathulato-lanceolata, nervis longitudinalibus utrinque 0 v.&nbsp;1, raro&nbsp;2, basi in alas 2 sensim angustatas decurrente; ''ascidia'' ignota ; ''inflorescentia'' racemus magnitudine mediocria, pedicellis inferioribus c.&nbsp;12&nbsp;mm longis, omnibus 2-floris ; ''indumentum'' copiossisimum, in foliis pagina superiore parcius albidum, in foliorum pagina inferiore et caulibus densum obscure badium, in partibus iuvenilibus et inflorescentiis floribusque densissimum obscure badium.</blockquote>

:d.{{Note_label|D|d|none}}This species, later described as ''N.&nbsp;hurrelliana'', is referred to as ''N.'' sp. after its publication as such in ''[[Pitcher-Plants of Borneo]]'' by [[Anthea Phillipps]] and [[Anthony Lamb (botanist)|Anthony Lamb]].<ref name=P&L />
{{refend}}

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
* Adam, J.H., C.C. Wilcock & M.D. Swaine 1992. {{cite web |url= http://myais.fsktm.um.edu.my/8918/1/10.pdf |title= The ecology and distribution of Bornean ''Nepenthes''. |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110722233248/http://myais.fsktm.um.edu.my/8918/1/10.pdf |archive-date= 2011-07-22 }} ''Journal of Tropical Forest Science'' '''5'''(1): 13–25.
* {{in lang|id}} Handayani, T. 1999. {{cite web|url= http://repository.ipb.ac.id/bitstream/handle/123456789/24961/prosiding_penelitian_ilmu_hayat-16.pdf |title=Konservasi ''Nepenthes'' di kebun raya Indonesia. }} [Conservation of ''Nepenthes'' in Indonesian botanic gardens.] In: A. Mardiastuti, I. Sudirman, K.G. Wiryawan, L.I. Sudirman, M.P. Tampubolon, R. Megia & Y. Lestari (eds.) ''Prosiding II: Seminar Hasil-Hasil Penelitian Bidang Ilmu Hayat''. Pusat Antar Universitas Ilmu Hayat IPB, Bogor. pp.&nbsp;365–372.

==External links==
*Danser, B.H. 1928. [http://www.omnisterra.com/botany/cp/pictures/nepenthe/dansermg/dans38.htm 28. ''Nepenthes mollis'' DANS., spec. nova.] In: [[The Nepenthaceae of the Netherlands Indies]]. ''Bulletin du Jardin Botanique de Buitenzorg'', Série III, '''9'''(3–4): 249–438.

{{Nepenthes}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q5500616}}

[[Category:Carnivorous plants of Asia]]
[[Category:Nepenthes|mollis]]
[[Category:Endemic flora of Borneo]]
[[Category:Plants described in 1928]]
[[Category:Data deficient plants]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Benedictus Hubertus Danser]]
[[Category:Flora of the Borneo montane rain forests]]