Natural Hybrids
In the wild, N. ovata occurs sympatrically with a number of different Nepenthes species. At least five natural hybrids involving N. ovata has been recorded, four of which are found on Mount Pangulubao.
Nepenthes ovata × N. spectabilis is known to occur along the summit trail of Mount Pangulubao. This hybrid produces pitchers roughly intermediate in appearance between its parent species. The peristome is flattened and expanded, but to a lesser degree than in N. ovata. The speckles of N. spectabilis are present, but the pitchers have a much lighter colouration. Most examples of this hybrid grow terrestrially and some climb into the forest canopy. N. ovata × N. rhombicaulis has also been recorded from the mountain.
In addition, Bruce Salmon and Ricky Maulder found N. mikei × N. ovata and N. gymnamphora × N. ovata on Mount Pangulubao. Some authors consider N. xiphioides to be distinct from N. gymnamphora and so this hybrid is sometimes listed as N. ovata × N. xiphioides.
Andreas Wistuba observed several natural hybrids with N. flava, including N. flava × N. ovata. Most specimens were juvenile rosette plants.
Read more about this topic: Nepenthes Ovata
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