the nepenthes, often known as "tropical pitcher plants" or "monkey cups", are a genus of carnivorous plants in the family of the nepenthaceae consisting of about 120 species (this number is fast increasing, with one to two new species being described each year). many hybrids exist, both natural and created by humans. these plants come from south china, indonesia, malaysia and the philippines; westward to madagascar and the seychelles ; southward to australia and new caledonia ; and northward to india and sri lanka . many are plants from hot humid lowland areas, but the majority are from high in the mountains where nights are cold. nepenthes are often categorized as being lowland or highland varieties, depending on how high they live above sea level. lowland varieties usually require high temperature and humidity levels. highland varieties usually require warm days but cold and humid nights. the name "nepenthes" was first published in 1737 in carolus linnaeus's "hortus cliffortianus".