nepenthes graciliflora vs alata

[liua]

I'm always confused between the two. Is graciliflora a new name for alata? Or was graciliflora a part of nepenthes alata before they got seperated? And is there a difference between the two?

 

[sangrocks101]

According to Wikipedia, they used to be considered synonymous, but back in 2013 they were separated as separate species.

 

[Tanukimo]

Nepenthes graciliflora was separated from Nepenthes alata. Nepenthes alata refers to only plants from Luzon so by the new classification most alata in cultivation are probably graciliflora.

 

[liua]

Thanks for the clarification, but is there any visible differences between the two?

 

[hcarlton]

N. graciliflora is glabrous, typically highly bulbous in the lower portion of the pitcher, loses its wings in upper pitchers, has a less constricted petiole, and typically has more solid colorations or blushing appearances among other traits. N. alata is specifically an intermediate-highland species from northern Luzon with pubescent pitchers and often stems, wings on most uppers, a less bulbous base to the pitcher in most forms, typically either one solid color or notably spotted/mottled, and has narrow, constricted petioles and often a more obtuse apex to the leaf. It was always distinct from true alata, just lumped in with that species before the differences were bothered to be noted.