Soil properties and species composition of pitcher plant habitats at Fraser's Hill, Pahang

Abstract

Two species of pitcher plants were recorded from the study area at Fraser's Hill, Pahang. These species were Nepenthes gracilis and Nepenthes sanguinea. The first species was foundfrom 1230 m to 1131 m altitude and the second species occurred from 993m to 1140 m altitude. This study showed Nepenthes sanguinea grew on clayed loam and sandy loam whereas Nepenthes gracilis grew on loamy sand and sandy loam. The analysis on physico- chemical characteristics of soil showed that both species grew on acidic to strongly acid soil with pH 3.78-4.85; electric conductivity of 2347-2770 uS/cm; low content of soil organic matter, 1.59-6.35%; cation exchange capacity (CEC), 3.81-20.12 meq/l00g.