Nepenthes reinwardtiana is was first described by Friedrich Anton Wilhelm Miquel in 1852. The species name honors Caspar Georg Carl Reinwardt, a noted naturalist. It is commonly known as Reinwardt’s pitcher plant.
 
Habitat Overview: Climate and Soil
A plant of the humid tropics, thriving in warm, moist environments with high humidity. It tolerates temperatures from about 18°C to 38°C. Prefers nutrient-poor, acidic substrates such as peat, mossy forest soils, and occasionally ultrabasic or podsolic soils. It requires good drainage and aeration.
 
Found in lowland peat-swamp forests, high-altitude ridges (sandstone or limestone), and sometimes moss forests. It often climbs on surrounding vegetation for light access.
 
Natural Range and Distribution
Nepenthes reinwardtiana is native to Borneo and Sumatra, including smaller islands such as Bangka, Natuna, Nias, and Siberut. Reports from Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore are considered erroneous.
 
Exceptionally broad range from sea level to 2,200 m, making it both a lowland and highland species.
 
Physical Characteristics
This species is a climbing shrub or liana, stems up to 10 m long, producing pitchers between 10 and 25 cm long. The pitchers vary from green to deep red, sometimes patterned.
 
Nepenthes reinwardtiana has two “eye spots” on the inner pitcher wall, a unique trait among Nepenthes.
 
Similar Species and Differentiation
Nepenthes reinwardtiana is sometimes confused with:
N. gracilis – Shares triangular stems and sessile leaves, but differs by:
Fewer longitudinal leaf nerves (1–3 vs. 4–6 in N. gracilis).
Inner peristome lacks teeth and has glandular pits.
Lid base truncate (vs. cordate in N. gracilis). 
N. sanguinea, N. stenophylla, N. tentaculata – Occasionally show eye-like spots, but only sporadically, unlike the consistent eye spots in N. reinwardtiana. 
 
Natural hybrids involving N. reinwardtiana include crosses with N. fusca, N. stenophylla, and others, but these hybrids usually differ in pitcher shape and coloration.