Heliamphora
Species Authority Year Distribution Altitudinal distribution
Heliamphora arenicola Wistuba , A.Fleischm . , Nerz & S.McPherson 2011 Venezuela Below 2000 m
Heliamphora ceracea Nerz , Wistuba , Grantsau , Rivadavia , A.Fleischm . & S.McPherson 2011 Brazil Highland
Heliamphora chimantensis Wistuba , Carow & Harbarth 2002 Venezuela 1900-2100 m
Heliamphora ciliata Wistuba , Nerz & A.Fleischm 2009 Venezuela 900 m
Heliamphora collina Wistuba , Nerz , S.McPherson & A.Fleischm 2011 Venezuela 1700-1825 m
Heliamphora elongata Nerz 2004 Venezuela 1800-2600 m
Heliamphora exappendiculata ( Maguire & Steyermark ) Nerz & Wistuba 2006 Venezuela 1700-2100 m
Heliamphora folliculata Wistuba , Harbarth & Carow 2001 Venezuela 1700-2400 m
Heliamphora glabra ( Maguire ) Nerz , Wistuba & Hoogenstrijd 2006 Borderlands of Brazil , Guyana , and Venezuela 1200-2750 m
Heliamphora heterodoxa Steyerm 1951 Guyana ? , Venezuela 1200-2200 m
Heliamphora hispida Nerz & Wistuba 2000 Border between Brazil and Venezuela 1800-3014 m
Heliamphora huberi A.Fleischm . , Wistuba & Nerz 2009 Venezuela 1850-2200 m
Heliamphora ionasi Maguire 1978 Venezuela 1800-2600 m
Heliamphora macdonaldae Gleason 1931 Venezuela 1500-2300 m
Heliamphora minor Gleason 1939 Venezuela 1650-2500 m
Heliamphora neblinae Maguire 1978 Border between Brazil and Venezuela 860-2200 m
Heliamphora nutans Benth 1840 Borderlands of Brazil , Guyana , and Venezuela 2000-2700 m
Heliamphora parva ( Maguire ) S.McPherson , A.Fleischm . , Wistuba & Nerz 2011 Venezuela 1750-2200 m
Heliamphora pulchella Wistuba , Carow , Harbarth & Nerz 2005 Venezuela 1850-2550 m
Heliamphora purpurascens Wistuba , A.Fleischm . , Nerz & S.McPherson 2011 Venezuela 2400-2500 m
Classification -- Species
The genus Heliamphora ( or ; Greek: helos marsh and amphoreus amphora) contains 23 species of pitcher plants endemic to South America. The species are collectively known as sun pitchers, based on the mistaken notion that the heli of Heliamphora is from the Greek helios, meaning sun. In fact, the name derives from helos, meaning marsh, so a more accurate translation of their scientific name would be marsh pitcher plants. Species in the genus Heliamphora are carnivorous plants that consist of a modified leaf form that is fused into a tubular shape. They have evolved mechanisms to attract, trap, and kill insects; and control the amount of water in the pitcher. At least one species (H. tatei) produces its own proteolytic enzymes that allows it to digest its prey without the help of symbiotic bacteria.