N. distillatoria "purple"
purchase date: 8 / 03
arrived with over a 6" leaf span --larger type plant
plant origin: unsure, Cook's Carnivorous Plants

Nepenthes distillatoria is a lowlander that comes in several color varieties. I'm aware of three: yellow, pink, and purple. The plant pictured above is the purple variety. It hasn't shown any signs of transplant shock or pitcher loss like some other varieties have upon arrival and repotting because of the larger size. On occasion, larger Nepenthes may show signs of transplant or new environment shock while adjusting to lower household humidity. I grew this variety briefly outdoors a year or so ago with poor results. The plant stressed and eventually died. Part of the reason was that I introduced it to outdoor conditions during winter time. That was not very smart of me. Another reason is that N. distillatoria doesn't have as heavy of a "waxy" leaf coat as other Nepenthes. It is sort of papery although not as paper as N. mirabilis. I'm growing this specimen as an indoor lowlander. I've found that N. distillatoria just isn't cut out for highland conditions or crossing over into being grown as an  intermediate. If grown as a typical lowlander in warm, humid conditions then there should be no problems with this species. I've also read that N. distillatoria will produce many basal shoots and sort of "clump" as well. I've never had a plant big enough to observe that.  

Cultivation: moderate as a windowsill plant because of the thinner leaves, very difficult outdoors
Market availability: size 3 to larger plants; fairly common
Species variability: purple, pink, yellow
$ / size: moderate $25.00 and up
Cuttings: none available for trade
Sex: unknown