In nature there are innumerable different selective forces that act on the existence of Nepenthes species. One of the largest ones is hybridization. I believe that many of the unique endemic species we see today are actually the product of ancient hybridization events. Some species even today are theorized to basically just be complex hybrids. Humans are just the next best greatest force of selection on Nepenthes and we are doing what they have always done: hybridizing.
What is this plant?
or this one?
How about this?
Or this?
All of these plants are growing basically right next to each other. And amongst all of them are there alleged parents. But many of the parents, too, are dubious themselves.
If this is N. pulchra,
Then what is this?
Some even say that N. pulchra itself is not really a species as much as it is an ancient and ongoing mess of an offspring between N. truncata, N. cecilae and N. surigaoensis. And after seeing its habitat, I have to say that I agree.
My point being in all this that hybridization is totally natural and really what we call a species and what we call a hybrid has never been concrete. Splitters no doubt claim a dozen new species a year that others would say are just hybrids, but at the same time, the plants exist, they grow where they do and they look unique enough, so why is it not a species? I think any one of the plants photoed above, if put onto a mountain top with no existing Nepenthes and then later disovered, would be described as a new species by at least somebody.
That being said, I think it is extremely important that we keep plentiful supply of the "true" species around in cultivation and also be very strict with our labeling. I like a hybrid that I know the parents of. Its when we get into the realm of plants just being cool plants, and not having a written history about their lineage that the lines truly start to blur and the meaning behind a plants genes are lost. I think that is what happened in the orchid trade. Too many pretty flowers with pretty names, not enough people who care about where the plants come from.
I would hope that the Nepenthes hobby is a little more conscious, but who's to say these days.
Honestly that is why I am no big fan of the "Poi Dogs" from Hawaii. That's just a lot of muts and confusion added to an industry which is already wrought with tons of debate and contention. But of course the other plants he grows...
Anyway that's my two cents.