Nepenthes bicalcarata x ampullaria, Mulu National Park, Borneo

This is another field report from my 2009 journey in Borneo. It especially cheers me up when I take a glance at all this snow outside. ;-)

It looks to me that this hybrid is not very widespread in cultivation. N. bicalcarata x ampullaria (or ampullaria x bicalcarata, I don't know...) is a pretty plant and, to me, it has received some of his parents' best features.

I observed this plant in Mulu National  Park while I was admiring some impressive Nepenthes bicalcarata:

 

 

 

During those days, my eyes had turned into real telescopes. I spotted many Nepenthes ampullaria though they were well hidden amongst the grass and other tall herbs. The place was very wet, almost flooded; the sun was fierce.
Here is a shot showing both parents:

All the ampullaria I saw in that place were speckled:

 





I suspected that day that I might be lucky enough to see the famous natural hybrid.
Even though the genetics barriers between Nepenthes species seem to be quite weak (the countless horticultural hybrids are good proofs), natural hybrids seem to be quite rare in the field.
But I would be lucky and quite quickly, I completely froze in front of a large plant:

I almost immediately conclude that this plant is the hybrid I was searching for: the leaves lamina was a good mix between both parents and I could see small "fangs" reminiscent of Nepenthes bicalcarata typical peristome extension. I was delighted. Once again.

 

A  few moments later, among some pretty ampullaria and rafflesiana, I found another hybrid plant. This one was younger and the ampullaria influence seemed to be stronger.













So don't you think it is a nice plant?
Hope you enjoyed this report.