Heliamphora heterodoxa

Heliamphora heterodoxa (Greek: heteros = other, doxa = opinion, belief) is a species of marsh pitcher plant native to Venezuela^[2] and adjacent Guyana.^[3] It was first discovered in 1944 on the slopes interlinking Ptari-tepui and Sororopan-tepui and formally described in 1951.^[2]

Heliamphora heterodoxa
Heliamphora heterodoxa in cultivation
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Ericales
Family:	Sarraceniaceae
Genus:	Heliamphora
Species:	H. heterodoxa
Binomial name
Heliamphora heterodoxa Steyerm. (1951)[1]
Native range
Synonyms
Heliamphora heterodoxa auct. non Steyerm.: G.Cheers (1992) [=H. nutans]

This Heliamphora is closely related to H. glabra and the latter was for a long time considered a form of H. heterodoxa. It is one of four Heliamphora taxa formally described by Julian A. Steyermark.^[4]

Heliamphora heterodoxa is known to tolerate slightly higher temperatures compared to other Heliamphora species, due to its habitats being located in upland wetlands and lower elevation Pantepui habitats (approx. 1200m - 1500m a.s.l.). The plant grows vigorously and exhibits a large, overhanging nectar spoon.

Etymology

The name "heterodoxa", meaning "variable", was given to the species by J.A. Steyermark who had observed that "considerable variation occurs within this species".^[2] An expedition to the locus classicus of H. heterodoxa on the southwestern slopes of Ptari-tepui undertaken in May 2018 confirmed occurrences of one other species of Heliamphora, H. collina, as well as a H. collina x purpurascens hybrid swarm being present at the very same location.^[5]

Infraspecific taxa

• Heliamphora heterodoxa var. exappendiculata Maguire & Steyerm. (1978) [=H. exappendiculata]
• Heliamphora heterodoxa var. exappendiculata f. glabella Steyerm. (1984) [=H. minor]
• Heliamphora heterodoxa var. glabra Maguire (1978) [=H. glabra]
• Heliamphora heterodoxa f. glabra (Maguire) Steyerm. (1984) [=H. glabra]