| Nepenthes holdenii | |
|---|---|
| |
| A lower pitcher of N. holdenii | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Nepenthaceae |
| Genus: | Nepenthes |
| Species: | N. holdenii
|
| Binomial name | |
| Nepenthes holdenii Mey (2010)[1]
| |
Nepenthes holdenii is a tropical pitcher plant from western Cambodia, where it grows at elevations of 600–800 m above sea level.[1][2] The species was originally known from only two peaks in the Cardamom Mountains, but the discovery of a new population was reported in October 2011[3][self-published source?]. Seeds were collected in 2014 and the species was successfully introduced into cultivation[4][self-published source?].
Leaves are coriaceous, subpetiolate, lamina linear to linear-lanceolate, 25-40 cm long, 3.5-6 cm wide, apex acute, clasping the stem by 1/2 of its circumference, decurrent on rosette and on climbing stem on 3-4 cm projecting from the stem as wings.[1] There are three longitudinal nerves (rarely 4) on each side of the midrib in the outer third of the leaf.[1] In the dry season, the leaves are modified into pitchers to capture and digest insects.[5] The pitchers can reach up to 30cm long.[6] In contrast to other closely related species, it has long tendrils and globose lower pitchers.[1]
Nepenthes holdenii occurs in localities situated in the transitional zone between lowland evergreen forest and low montane evergreen forest.[1]
It was previously collected and diagnosed by Lecomte in the 1909 as Nepenthes thorelii, which is now considered an aggregate of Indochinese Nepenthes species.[1] It was photographed by biologist Jeremy Holden in 2006; Mey used these photographs, in situ examination of closely related species, and the previously collected specimen to distinguish N. holdenii from N. thorelii.[1]
These species are considered to be part of the Nepenthes thorelii aggregate.[1]