Pinguicula sp

Pinguicula ehlersiae

from Tolantongo

TAXONOMY:

Family : Lentibulariaceae

Genus : Pinguicula

Name : not yet published. Can be found in worldwide collections under the following names (many others exist) : Tdentenga, Tolantenga, tolentenda...

Sub-classification (Casper) : link

Publication : not yet published

DESCRIPTION :

Small rosetted plant looking like a small Pinguicula elhersiae. The colour of the flower is unique according to Laurent Legendre it is shine blood red !

I have not yet seen the flower because I only grow this plant since September 02.

ORIGIN AND HISTORY :

Laurent Legendre, found this clone in the collection of Helmut Kibellis in Castle Hill, in Australia. Helmut Kibellis have been growing Pinguicula for 40 years. The plant seems to come originally from the botanical garden of Göttingen (Germany), the curator of this large collection of Pinguicula is Mr Lautner.

Map / LOCALISATION :

After many hours spent looking on Mexican maps and on the net, I was not able to find "Tolentenga" or "Tolentenda". On the other hand, I found an important touristic location called "Grutas de Tolantongo" (caves of Tolantongo), not far from Mexico city. So I decided that the name of the plant was not correctly spelled, (Tolantanga, Tolentenga, Tolentenda, Tolentanda...) and I decided to call my clone according to the touristic location Tolantongo.

Barranca de Tolantongo or Grutas de Tolantongo are located between Cardonal and Molango, in the middle of the virtual line between the two towns.

(click on the map for better location and relief map)

If you want a more precise map, you can link to (.pdf : 865ko) : map

If you can't read .pdf file, go to

HABITAT:

No true data. The plant from Laurent was labelled with an altitude of 500 m.

In Leiden, the same plant from Botanical garden of Göttingen (Germany) was labelled with an altitude of 1550 -1700 m !.

Introduction in culture :

No data. Laurent Legendre gave me on September 02, a clone of this plant labelled Pinguicula sp. Tolentenga 500m.

CULTURE AND MULTIPLICATION :

(North hemisphere, France near Paris, in a polycarbonate greenhouse - see the map -)

Life cycle : The life cycle observed in culture for this Pinguicula consists of two seasons, one wet and the other dry (see link). The plant forms different leaf rosettes according to the season. During the resting months (winter) the small succulent rosette is composed of numerous non-carnivorous leaves. The carnivorous leaves are produced in spring and during all summer. The life cycle of the plant is probably similar in it's native habitat.

Media : I use a 100 % mineral media : 2 perlite, 2 vermiculite, 1 small sand (for aquarium), 1 fine white sand, 1 pouzzolane (volcanic lava), 1 aqualit (expansed ceramic for aquarium). The aqualit can be replaced by 1 of pouzzolane. Plants in this media grow slower but have a stronger root system.

Pot : plastic, colour terracotta, diameter 12.5cm, height 12cm.

Cultivation : I think that a slightly airy situation inside the greenhouse is important to avoid air stagnation. For this reason, I use a fan 24h/24h all the year round.

Watering is very important : from May to September (summer). I let the media drying slighlly between two watering. I use rain water poured on the top of the pot taking care not to wet the rosette. From October to April, It is important to let the media drying completely (no watering) but with an atmospheric humidity of about 80%.

The mentioned months are indicative and can change according to your own growing conditions. In fact, when this Pinguicula begins to produce its non-carnivorous leaves, you have to stop watering and let the pot drying out completely. Inversely, when the plant begins to produce in early spring its carnivorous leaves, you have to progressively start watering again the pot.

Temperatures : during growth period, day temperatures are about 25°C but can reach 35°C when the sun is shining on the greenhouse in spite of the use of shading covers. Night temperatures are around 20°C. During resting period : day/night over freezing point. Lower temperature observed : - 4°C. I use an electronic petroleum heater to provide heat.

Flowering period : not yet

Multiplication : No flowers yet, so I don't know the seeds. The plants can be propagated easily using non-carnivorous leaves separated from the rosette at the end of winter. You only have to carefully tear out the totality of the leaf including the white base as the plantlets will sprout from this area.

PICTURES: (click to enlarge)

Pinguicula ehlersiae in Habitat

By Ruben Resendiz T.

These photos were taken near Tolantongo, Grutas de Tolantongo, Grotos, in state of Hidalgo, near Ixmiquilpan, in the mountains, thesd plants was found in February 2006, and there was about 80%RH, and the temperature reach 2°C, look the foliar detritus near the plants.