Nepenthes gracilis Korth.

Naming and Common Name

Nepenthes gracilis Korth., whose specific epithet gracilis means "slender" in Latin, is commonly called the slender pitcher-plant.

General Distribution Overview

This is a common lowland pitcher plant that is widespread across the Sunda region.

Recorded Range Countries and Regions

It has been recorded growing in Borneo, Cambodia, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Sulawesi, Sumatra, and Thailand.

Altitudinal Distribution Range

Its altitudinal distribution ranges from 0 to 1,100 metres above sea level, and may reach as high as 1,700 metres.

Population Elevation Patterns

Most populations of the species occur below 100 metres, and plants are rare above 1,000 metres.

Natural Hybrid Occurrence

Even though N. gracilis is a widespread species, natural hybrids between it and other Nepenthes species are quite uncommon.

Formal Taxonomic Description

Pieter Willem Korthals formally described this species in his 1839 monograph titled "Over het geslacht Nepenthes".

Etymology of Related Species

Nepenthes abgracilis, a species from the Philippines, gets its name from its superficial similarity to N. gracilis.

Native Range

As one of the most widespread Nepenthes species, N. gracilis is native to Borneo, Cambodia, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra, central Sulawesi, and southernmost Thailand.

Small Island Distribution Records

It has also been documented on many smaller islands, including Bangka, the Batu Islands, Belitung, Bengkalis, Ko Lanta, Ko Tarutao, Labuan, Langkawi, Mendol, the Mentawai Islands (specifically Siberut), the Meranti Islands (Padang, Rangsang, and Tebing Tinggi), Musala, Nias, Penang, Phuket, the Riau Islands (Lingga Islands, Natuna Islands, and Riau Archipelago), and Rupat.