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Glite Dictionary
🪴 A plant genus 🪴 A carnivorous plant
Nepenthes

Nepenthes

9.9
A group of tropical plants with cup-shaped leaves that trap and digest insects
  • noun
  • /nɪˈpɛnθiz/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Nepenthes
  • Researchers discovered a new species of Nepenthes in the remote mountains of Borneo.

Examples

  • The Nepenthes in her greenhouse require humid conditions to thrive.

  • Many gardeners are fascinated by the carnivorous nature of Nepenthes plants.

  • The Nepenthes plant is fascinating to study.

  • Many Nepenthes species thrive in humid environments.

  • Many gardeners are fascinated by the distinctive traps of Nepenthes that capture insects.

  • Researchers discovered a unique species of Nepenthes in the dense jungles of Madagascar.

  • The Nepenthes plants in the botanical garden showcase their elegant pitcher-shaped leaves.

Synonyms

family Nepenthaceae
vsNepenthes
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of tropical plants that catch insects in cup-shaped leaves

has identical meaning but uses the genus label instead of the family label
Nepenthaceae
vsNepenthes
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of tropical plants with pitcher-shaped leaves that catch and eat insects

has the same sense but names the single genus rather than the family

Surface Forms

Nepenthes singular
Nepentheses plural

Etymology

Nepenthes comes from the Greek idea of a sorrow-ending drink: ne- means 'not' and penthos means 'grief', so a nepenthe was a potion to 'chase away sorrow'. The plant was named Nepenthes because its pitcher is like a little cup of liquid, reminding people of that magical drink.