What insects do pitcher plants rely on for pollination? How to distinguish males from females?

1. What insects do they rely on for pollination?

Nepenthes is a dioecious plant, and pollination is carried out by two plants of different sexes. Generally speaking, in the wild, male plants account for 70% and the rest are female. It is usually pollinated by wind, but the calyx of the small flowers will secrete nectar, which will attract some insects for pollination.

2. How to distinguish male from female

To distinguish the sexes of pitcher plants, they are usually identified by their stamens.

1. Female flowers: The female flowers of Nepenthes have only one pistil, and the stigma is green and has a certain stickiness, which is how it sticks to pollen. Its calyx is very small, and the pistil is black and oval in shape. When its capsule grows mature, it will split open and form four lobes with many seeds inside.

2. Male flowers: The male flowers of Nepenthes also have one stamen, and its anthers have yellow pollen. It has four sepals, which are oval or oblong in shape and about 5-7cm in length.