the ends of the tendrils, forming a 20 to 30 mm wide curve. They are cylindrical in the lower part and infundibular above. They reach 20 cm in length and 6 cm in width. The wings are reduced to ribs in aerial pitchers. The peristome is broadly cylindrical, up to 10 mm wide, and bears small but distinct teeth. The peristome ribs are spaced 0.5 to 1 mm apart. Upper pitchers also bear 14 to 18 longitudinal nerves. The mouth is horizontal and elongated into a short neck near the lid. Nepenthes ovata has a racemose inflorescence. Female inflorescences are usually slightly larger than male ones. The peduncle may be up to 7 cm long, while the rachis reaches 10 cm in length. Pedicels are bracteolate and up to 5 mm long. Sepals are lanceolate and up to 3 mm long. The stem, leaves, and pitchers have a sparse indumentum. Inflorescences have a denser covering of hairs. Lower pitchers are usually green to red with a dark red peristome. Upper pitchers are yellowish-green and often have a striped peristome. Ecology Nepenthes ovata is endemic to a number of mountains in North Sumatra, particularly in the Lake Toba region. It grows in stunted mossy forest and ridge top vegetation, often among Sphagnum moss. On Mount Pangulubao, the species usually occurs terrestrially, while on Mount Lubukraya it often grows as an epiphyte. It has also been recorded from Mount Simanukmanuk. The species has an altitudinal distribution of 1700–2100 m above sea level. On Mount Pangulubao, N. ovata grows sympatrically with N. gymnamphora (N. xiphioides), N. mikei, N. rhombicaulis, N. spectabilis, and N. tobaica. At another location it grows alongside N. flava. Natural hybrids with all of these species except N. tobaica have been recorded. Despite its restricted distribution, N. ovata is no longer considered threatened and its conservation status has been updated to Least concern on the IUCN Red List. Related species Nepenthes ovata is closely related to a number of other Sumatran highland species, including N. bongso, N. densiflora, and N. singalana. Its distinguishing feature is the glandular appendage on the underside of the lid. This structure is usually hook-shaped, but may vary considerably in morphology. Nepenthes ovata is thought to be most closesly related to N. bongso. The glandular crest that is so characteristic of N. ovata has also been observed in some forms of N. bongso. Charles Clarke writes