LUZON EXPLORATION EXPEDITION
The Redfern Team is organising the Luzon Exploration Expedition to observe and photograph several little known Nepenthes taxa, in some cases, for the very first time.
This is an unconventional trip, in the sense that there is no guarantee we will find the little-known Nepenthes that we set out to see. But that is the nature of exploration!
We propose to run this trip in July or September or December 2023. We propose to find a group of participants first, discuss the itinerary with the participants as a group, and jointly select which of the following objectives to focus on, then agree mutually convenient dates.
The cost will depend upon the number of participants coming, and the combination of objectives (and the logistics involved (e.g. domestic flights, hotels 4*4 vehicles etc.), but is likely to be between £2,500-£3,200 for a 2 week trip.
Itinerary
Objective 1:
No definite photographs exist of Nepenthes alzapan. The species is known only from herbarium specimens collected in 1925, and has never been seen with certainty since. It was described by botanists Martin Cheek and Matthew Jebb in 2013. Even the name “Mount Alzapan” does not appear on any maps. After months of research, the Redfern Team has located the likely candidate mountain. We will try and see this long-lost species (note: absolutely no guarantee of success – it is possible we may climb this mountain and find no Nepenthes at all – but this is the nature of exploration!)
Objective 2:
We will then transfer to northern Luzon to climb a mountain where two possible new species have been reported (one similar to Nepenthes ventricosa and one similar to N. argentii). Our visit would be observation only (we cannot collect herbarium specimens without permits, which our Philippine colleagues may undertake at a later date, once permits have been issued). We may be able to shed light on whether these reported populations are new species or not and all findings will be shared with our botanist friends in the Philippines.
Objective 3:
As a slightly more easy and reliable final objective, we will observe the very little known Nepenthes barcelonae in the wild and follow reports of a further new species growing on the same mountain which this species occurs.
This expedition is intended to add new knowledge to our understanding of the genus Nepenthes in Luzon, and no matter how many new taxa we discover, we will have a really fun and exciting trip.
Itinerary Highlights
