Heliamphora Minor

''Heliamphora minor'' (Latin: ''minor'' = smaller) is a species of marsh pitcher plant endemic to Auyán-tepui in Venezuela. As the name suggests, it is one of the smallest species in the genus. It is closely related to '' H. ciliata'' and '' H. pulchella''.

Cultivation

''Heliamphora minor'' is one of the more widely available species in the genus for cultivation. Typically, ''H. minor'' is grown under strong fluorescent lights in a terrarium, or in a greenhouse with partial sunlight. Like other carnivorous plants, ''H. minor'' requires water free from added minerals and chemicals. It can survive a wide range of temperatures, preferably around 70–90 °F, however during the night the temperature must drop to around 10 degrees less than the day temperature.
Soil for ''H. minor'' must be low in nutrients. Combinations of washed sand, orchid bark, long fibered sphagnum moss (dried or living), peat moss, and perlite may be used.
''Heliamphora'' plants also require a high humidity level (70+%), which can be achieved in a greenhouse or terrarium.

Infraspecific taxa

Two varieties of ''H. minor'' are recognised: the autonym ''H. minor'' var. ''minor'' and ''H. minor'' var. ''pilosa'', which is characterised by conspicuous hairs on the pitcher exterior. Fleischmann, A. 2013
Neue ''Heliamphora''-Varietät
G.F.P. Forum, July 29, 2013. The purpose of the exterior indumentum is unknown, but may assist in the scaling of otherwise glabrous exterior surfaces. Another hypothesis suggests that it may discourage terrestrial arthropods from scaling the pitcher and restrict access to the nectar spoon to flying insects, thus preventing the loss of nectar to insects that tend to steal nectar. Also, the highly reflective surface of the indumenta may make foliage more visible to flying insects with light-sensitive vision.

Distinguishing factors between ''H. pulchella'' and ''H. minor'' include nectar spoon morphology; the nectar spoons of ''pulchella'' emerge directly on the back rim of the pitcher in a small depression, while the spoon of ''minor'' emerges on a narrow stalk ending in a larger nectar spoon than that of ''pulchella''.

''Heliamphora minor'' f. ''laevis'', described by Julian Alfred Steyermark in 1984, is considered a synonym of ''H. minor'' var. ''minor''.

References

Further reading

* Jaffé, K., M.S. Blum, H.M. Fales, R.T. Mason & A. Cabrera (1995)
On insect attractants from pitcher plants of the genus ''Heliamphora'' (Sarraceniaceae).
''Journal of Chemical Ecology'' 21(3): 379–384.
* McPherson, S. 2007. ''Pitcher Plants of the Americas''. The McDonald & Woodward Publishing Company, Blacksburg, Virginia.
* Nerz, J. & A. Wistuba (June 2000)

''Carnivorous Plant Newsletter'' 29(2): 37–41.
* Nerz, J. (December 2004)

''Carnivorous Plant Newsletter'' 33(4): 111–116.
* Nerz, J. & A. Wistuba (June 2006)
''Heliamphora exappendiculata'', a clearly distinct species with unique characteristics
''Carnivorous Plant Newsletter'' 35(2): 43–51.
* Steyermark, J.A. ''et al.'' (May 18, 1951)
Sarraceniaceae
p. 239–242In
Contributions to the flora of Venezuela. Botanical exploration in Venezuela – 1.
''Fieldiana: Botany'' 28(1): 1–242.
* Taylor, M.S. (1989). Plant taxa described by Julian A. Steyermark. ''Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden'' 76(3): 652–780.
* Wistuba, A., P. Harbarth & T. Carow (December 2001)

''Carnivorous Plant Newsletter'' 30(4): 120–125.
* Wistuba, A., T. Carow & P. Harbarth (September 2002)

''Carnivorous Plant Newsletter'' 31(3): 78–82.
* Wistuba, A., T. Carow, P. Harbarth, & J. Nerz (2005)
''Heliamphora pulchella'', eine neue mit ''Heliamphora minor'' (Sarraceniaceae) verwandte Art aus der Chimanta Region in Venezuela.
''Das Taublatt'' 53(3): 42–50.

Journal of Venezuela Expedition January/February 2006 by D. Bruce Means
Journals: D. Bruce Means, PhD.

{{Taxonbar, from=Q287133

minor
Endemic flora of Venezuela
Plants described in 1939
Flora of the Tepuis