Sun Pitcher Plant

← NEXT →

Scientific name: Heliamphora chimantensis.

Heliamphora chimantensis is a species of carnivorous pitcher plant native to the tepuis, the stunning table-top mountains of Venezuela. It is a highland plant, typically found at elevations above 2,000 meters (6,600 feet) in the mist-shrouded cloud forests of the region. This species is characterized by its elegant pitchers, which feature a slender and elongated shape, often with distinct veining and intricate patterns. The pitchers of Heliamphora chimantensis serve as specialized traps, attracting insects with sweet nectar secreted by glands on the inner surface of the pitcher. Once insects enter the pitcher, downward-pointing hairs prevent them from escaping, and digestive enzymes break down their bodies, providing essential nutrients to the plant. Heliamphora chimantensis is a captivating example of a carnivorous plant adapted to thrive in the nutrient-poor soils of its highland habitat, where it plays a vital role in the local ecosystem as an insectivorous species.