Species Composition and Dispersion Pattern of Pitcher Plants Recorded from Rantau Abang in Marang District, Terengganu State of Malaysia

摘要

The study to determine the species composition and community structure of pitcher plants in Rantau Abang, Terengganu was carried out using plot method. Nepenthes gracilis was recorded in plots 1-3 at 10, 30 and 50 in, rafflesiana was recorded in P2 and N. ampullaria in P3. Nepenthes grancilis differs morphologically from the other two species by its sessile leaves, decurrent leaf base, angular stem shape, very thin peristome and partly glandular inner pitcher cavity wall. Nepenthes ampullaria differed by its panicle inflorescence, cuneate lids' shape, narrower than the mouth glandless, lower lid surface, bearing up to 6-flowered bracteolate pedicels and urceolate lower pitcher. Nepenthes rafflesiana differed by infundibulate and ellipsoid upper and lower pitcher, densely glandular lower lid surface, toothed inner peristome margin. Population structures of these species comprised of seedlings, saplings and matured plants. These species consist of 52.61% of juvenile stage (seedlings and saplings) and 47.39% of matured stage. A total 5.68 and 2.84% of these species population bear male and female inflorescence. Morisita's Index of Dispersion Pattern and Chi-square test showed that the dispersion pattern of all life stages of these species was significantly aggregated. Their I, values were from 1.12 to 3.78. Matured plants and sapling of N. gracilis recorded the lowest and biggest Id. These species grow in soil that is acidic and low organic matter content. Nepenthes gracilis grows in sandy loam, loam and sandy clay; Nepenthes ampullaria and Nepenthes rafflesiana grow in sandy clay and loam.