Hi Everybody! We hope you enjoy this slide share that introduces you to Nepenthes AKA Tropical Pitcher Plants. This is PART TWO of many more parts to come :-)

1. THE
WONDERFUL
NEPENTHES
PART TWO
By: Christy
Suzuki, RN

2. The Pitfall Zone

3. The Pitfall Zone
The Pitfall Zone
starts “beneath the
nectar glands at the
end of the
peristome” (Barthlott,
Porembski, Seine, &
Theisen, p. 157).
The Pitfall zone ends
at the waterline of
the digestive fluid.

4. The Pitfall Zone
There are TWO
WAXY LAYERS
The INNER
LAYER is waxy
with a Net like
structure
The OUTER
LAYER consists of
detachable wax
plates.

5. The Pitfall Zone
When the prey
falls into the
pitcher, it will try
and climb out
BUT!

6. The Pitfall Zone
The
DETACHABLE
WAX PLATES
on the outer layer
EASILY FALL OFF
when touched,
making it
impossible for bugs
to get a good grip
to climb out.

7. The Digestive Zone
The DIGESTIVE
ZONE is where all
of the digestive
FLUID resides.

8. The Digestive Zone
The WETTING AGENT
The digestive fluid
contains
substances that
completely wets
its prey…

9. The Digestive Zone
The WETTING
AGENT
… The prey loses its
ability to breathe in air
and drowns.

10. The Digestive Zone
Once the prey Drowns …

11. The Digestive Zone
… Let the Digestion begin.

12. FUN FACT # 1
Where the
PITFALL ZONE
ends and the
DIGESTIVE
ZONE begins is
also known as the
HIP.

13. FUN FACT # 2
What enzymes do
the pitcher plant’s
digestive glands
secrete?!?
Esterase
Phosphatase
Protease
Amino-peptidase
Peroxidase
Ribonuclease

14. FUN FACT # 3
The FLUID inside an unopened pitcher plant
has an ACIDIC pH of about 5.5.

15. PART THREE
COMING IN FEBURARY