Known primarily for casinos, egg tarts, and its proximity to Hong Kong, Macau is also home to a small selection of carnivorous plants. Drosera spatulata, Nepenthes mirabilis, Utricularia bifida, and U. caerulea may not be the sort of exotic rarities apt to excite the botanical cognoscenti; nonetheless, observing them growing together on a rugged maritime hillside is not an everyday occasion for most plant nerds.

Carnivorous plants grow on a hillside near Hac Sa in Coloane, Macau, China.

The Macau peninsula itself and Taipa island may have once had populations of carnivorous plants; now, the territory’s insectivorous inhabitants are relegated to Coloane island. Coloane is the least-developed section of Macau but is facing increasing development, as is nearly all south China. This site is situated on a rocky granitic hillside between Hac Sa and Cheoc Van beaches on Coloane’s southern apex. The spot seems relatively unlikely to sprout a forty floor luxury apartment complex or mega resort anytime soon.

Nepenthes mirabilis pitchers grow amongst ferns in Macau, China Nepenthes mirabilis

A Drosera spatulata leaf glistens in Macau, China Drosera spatulata

Drosera spatulata grows in Macau, China Drosera spatulata

Utricularia caerulea grows in Macau, China. Utricularia caerulea

These flowers are a few millimeters long; even with high-speed strobes, photographing them on a windy hillside is extremely difficult.

Drosera spatulata and Utricularia bifida grow in Macau, China Drosera spatulata and Utricularia bifida

A group of Nepenthes mirabilis grow in Macau, China Nepenthes mirabilis

Nepenthes mirabilis grows in Macau, China Nepenthes mirabilis flower

Nepenthes mirabilis grow on a hillside near Hac Sa in Coloane, Macau, China.

Nepenthes mirabilis grows in Macau, China Nepenthes mirabilis

Nepenthes mirabilis grow on a hillside near Hac Sa in Coloane, Macau, China.

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