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Rat-eating plant discovered in Philippines
Telegraph (U.K.) ^ | August 17, 2009 | Chris Irvine

Posted on 08/17/2009 5:55:19 AM PDT by Schnucki

A carnivorous pitcher plant that eats rats and insects has been discovered in the Philippines and named after Sir David Attenborough.

The plant is among the largest of all pitchers and is believed to be the largest meat-eating shrub, dissolving rats with acid-like enzymes.

The team of botanists, led by British experts Stewart McPherson and Alastair Robinson, found the plant on Mount Victoria in the Philippines.

They were inspired to search for the plant after word that it is existed came from two Christian missionaries who described seeing a large carnivorous pitcher in 2000 after they climbed the mountain.

Mr McPherson, of Poole Dorset, said: "The plant produces spectacular traps which catch not only insects, but also rodents. It is remarkable that it remained undiscovered until the 21st century."

The team, which found the plant in 2007 following a two-month expedition, published details of their discovery in the Botanical Journal of Linnean Society earlier this year following a three-year study of all 120 species of pitcher plant.

They decided to name the plant Nepenthes attenboroughii, after the wildlife broadcaster Sir David.

"My team and I named it in honour of Sir David whose work has inspired generations toward a better understanding of the beauty and diversity of the natural world," added Mr McPherson.

Sir David, 83, said: "I was contacted by the team shortly after the discovery and they asked if they could name it after me. I was delighted and told them, 'Thank you very much'.

"I'm absolutely flattered. This is a remarkable species the largest of its kind. I'm told it can catch rats then eat them with its digestive enzymes. It's certainly capable of that."

(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Agriculture; Outdoors; Science
KEYWORDS: attenborough; carnivorous; davidattenborough; nepenthes; pests; philippines; pitcher; pitcherplant; plant
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To: Schnucki

I don’t know that I would feel honored by having a rat eating plant named after me. Yikes!!!


21 posted on 08/17/2009 7:31:10 AM PDT by diamond6 (Is SIDS preventable? www.Stopsidsnow.com)
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To: staytrue

Thats good!!!! LOL


22 posted on 08/17/2009 7:31:36 AM PDT by diamond6 (Is SIDS preventable? www.Stopsidsnow.com)
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To: Schnucki
Nepenthes: banishing pain and sorrow

Rather a benign name, considering how the pain and sorrow is actually banished. Being dissolved to death certainly sounds rather harrowing.

23 posted on 08/17/2009 7:34:09 AM PDT by dorothy ("Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not." ~ Thomas Jefferson)
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To: Schnucki

G. Gordon Liddy has competition.


24 posted on 08/17/2009 7:36:19 AM PDT by Mr. Jazzy ("I AM JIM THOMPSON!!!")
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To: jslade

They should plant them in NY, CA, MA, and NJ. They could lure them into the trap by offering government handouts.


25 posted on 08/17/2009 7:38:45 AM PDT by kabar
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To: Schnucki
Photobucket
26 posted on 08/17/2009 8:33:34 AM PDT by yefragetuwrabrumuy
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To: Gritty-Kitty
"largest of all pitchers" Sounds more like a catcher.

Either way, that plant is still a fag.

27 posted on 08/17/2009 8:35:54 AM PDT by Lazamataz ("If they taxed condoms and toilet paper, they'd have us coming and going." - Lazamataz, 2002)
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To: Schnucki

Can we import them to DC and Des Moines and plant them right next to the State(IA) And US Capitol Bldgs.


28 posted on 08/17/2009 8:54:56 AM PDT by US Navy Vet
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