Exotic Plant Pictures: Carnivorous Pitcher Plants in Padawan, Borneo

Pitcher plants are carnivorous plants that feed on insects that fall into their open pitcher cups. The digestive juice and slippery walls of the pitchers make it difficult for the insects to climb out once they fall in. Pitcher plants are also called monkey cups because monkeys have been seen drinking rainwater from these plants.

Majority of the world's exotic pitcher plants are found in the tropical countries like Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. Pitcher plants thrive well in bright indirect sunlight and much needed humidity. Daytime temperatures should ideally be 20° to 35°C.

On the island of Borneo, a place that is famous for its orangutan habitat rainforests where most of the world's endangered orangutans are, there is a small town called Kota Padawan in East Malaysia. There, I came across a huge collection of pitcher plants on display at the Pitcher Plant Garden which is run by the local council. Most of the plants on display are native Borneo rainforest plants. They were collected from the jungles and rainforests of Borneo or donated by pitcher plant collectors. Visitors will enjoy a relaxing stroll through the garden and view some impressive collections of pitcher plants. A must-visit place for carnivorous plant collectors.

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