MORPHOLOGY OF Nepenthes mirabilis AND ABIOTIC HABITAT FACTORS IN THE LAKE GEGAS AREA, MUSI RAWAS, SOUTH SUMATRA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31849/zwserp81Keywords:
Nepenthes mirabilis, Lake Gegas, Vegetative Morphology, Pitcher Dimorphism, Ecological PlasticityAbstract
This study aims to identify and describe the vegetative morphological characteristics of Nepenthes mirabilis and to measure the abiotic parameters of its habitat in the Lake Gegas area, Musi Rawas Regency, South Sumatra. Data collection was conducted from August 20 to 29, 2026, using a purposive sampling method across five observation stations (P1–P5) representing varying levels of canopy openness and vegetation types. Morphological parameters were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively, while abiotic parameters were measured in-situ. The results revealed that N. mirabilis in Lake Gegas possesses diagnostic characteristics, including a stem-clasping leaf base and finely ciliated (fimbriate) margins on young leaves. The species exhibits distinct pitcher dimorphism: lower pitchers feature fimbriate wings that guide terrestrial insects, whereas upper pitchers are funnel-shaped without fimbriate wings and supported by twining tendrils for climbing. Leaves are lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate (15–40 cm long, 4–8 cm wide) ranging from light green to yellowish. External pitcher coloration ranges from light green to reddish with dark maroon spots. Abiotic measurements showed air temperatures of 29–31°C, soil temperatures of 28–29°C, relative air humidity of 68–72%, soil moisture of 71–73%, and light intensity of 0.57–0.64 lux. Remarkably, soil pH across sites was near-neutral, ranging from 6.90 to 7.20. The thriving presence of N. mirabilis on neutral substrates under stable microclimatic conditions highlights its eurytopic nature and high phenotypic plasticity. This adaptive capacity enables N. mirabilis to maintain functional carnivorous morphology and optimal growth beyond the typical acidic substrate preferences of the genus Nepenthes.
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