Comparison Of N. Burkeii &N. Ventricosa

The following is a comparison of N. burkeii and N. ventricosa plants I have in cultivation. I am not saying with any certainty that either of these plants are correct. But these are the way the plants were sold to me, and the sources are very reputable. That still doesn't mean that the plants are correct. This is just the difference I see in my plants which I have obtained from several different sources.

burkei leaf           ventricosa leaf

The leaf of N. burkei is more narrow and angles in toward the tip. N. ventricosa has wider leaves (although just slightly) and is more rounded toward the leaf tip.

This is an unopened pitcher of N. ventricosa which came from a source in Japan. The pitcher color resembles the description of N. ventricosa in Jebb & Cheeks Skeletal Revision Of Nepenthes.

N. ventricosa pitcher. Notice the complete lack of any "wings" in the mature upper pitchers. Also, the peristome is slightly flaring. The pitcher is rather strongly constricted in the middle.

N. burkei pitcher. Notice the less constriction, shorter and squatter pitcher. The peristome does not flare at all. Also notice the two wing ribs that run down the front of the pitcher. These can be felt, as they are slightly raised. But the are greatly reduced.

In small plants, both ventricosa and burkei have the ribs. In fact, ventricosa can have a single fringe hair attached to each rib immediately below the peristome. But as the plants mature, ventricosa loses all aspects of the ribs, whereas they are maintained in burkei.