The natural range of the carnivorous plant genus Heliamphora is restricted to the southern Venezuelan states of Amazonas and Bolívar, and to adjacent portions of northern Brazil and western Guyana, an area corresponding to the western part of the Guayana Shield. These plants are largely confined to the summits and foothills of the sandstone table-top mountains of the region, known as tepuis.
The genus has a highly disjunct distribution spread across two major groups of tepuis: the western range in Amazonas and the eastern range in Bolívar.Rice, B. (2012). Heliamphora: the various ranges and tepuis. The Carnivorous Plant FAQ. The western range can be further subdivided into two complexes of neighbouring tepuis. The more southerly of these consists of Cerro de la Neblina, Cerro Aracamuni, and Cerro Avispa, and supports four Heliamphora species. The more northerly group of the western range, home to only two species, includes the massive Cerro Duida and neighbouring Cerro Huachamacari and Cerro Marahuaca. The remaining 17–19 species are native to the eastern range, which includes the Aprada Massif, Auyán Massif, Chimantá Massif, Eastern Tepuis chain, Los Testigos chain, and a number of outlying tepuis. Many of the summits of the eastern range are situated on a vast plateau known as the Gran Sabana. Only two species (H. ciliata and H. heterodoxa) are known with certainty from the Gran Sabana, and only H. ciliata is endemic to this habitat.McPherson, S., A. Wistuba, A. Fleischmann & J. Nerz (2011). Sarraceniaceae of South America. Redfern Natural History Productions, Poole.
The altitudinal distribution of Heliamphora ranges from 860 m above sea level for populations of H. neblinae on Cerro Avispa to as much as 2994 m for plants of H. hispida growing near the summit of Pico da Neblina in Cerro de la Neblina.
Key Tepui names shown in the tables are those used in Flora of the Venezuelan Guayana and Sarraceniaceae of South America, with alternate names and spellings given in brackets. Many additional orthographic variants are likely to exist and some localities remain the subject of considerable toponymic confusion; these cases are covered in the Notes section. Many of the tepui heights are approximate and likely to change as more accurate measurements become available. Only tepuis known to support Heliamphora are included in the tables (for example, not all parts of the Chimantá Massif or Eastern Tepuis chain are listed). Formally described species are listed first, followed by undescribed species, and finally natural hybrids. Where published information is available, the altitudinal distribution of a taxon at a particular locality is given. In cases of unconfirmed locality records, the taxon name is preceded by a question mark (?).
Coordinates given correspond to the approximate centre points of tepui summit plateaus (though in the case of fragmented tepui complexes such as Cerro de la Neblina, the centre point itself may not lie on any plateau). Unless otherwise indicated, all other information presented in the tables is sourced from Sarraceniaceae of South America.
+ Distribution of currently recognised Heliamphora species Species Distribution Altitudinal distribution H. arenicola Venezuela ?–2000 m H. ceracea Brazil 1900 m H. chimantensis Venezuela 1900–2100 m H. ciliata Venezuela 900 m H. collina Venezuela 1700–1825 m H. elongata Venezuela 1800–2600 m H. exappendiculata Venezuela 1700–2100 m H. folliculata Venezuela 1700–2400 m H. glabra Brazil, Guyana, Venezuela 1200–2750 m H. heterodoxa Guyana?, Venezuela 1200–2200 m H. hispida Brazil, Venezuela 1800–2994 m H. huberi Venezuela 1850–2200 m H. ionasi Venezuela 1800–2600 m H. macdonaldae Venezuela 1500–2300 m H. minor Venezuela 1650–2500 m H. neblinae Brazil, Venezuela 860–2200 m H. nutans Brazil, Guyana, Venezuela 2000–2700 m H. parva Venezuela 1750–2200 m H. pulchella Venezuela 1850–2550 m H. purpurascens Venezuela 2400–2500 m H. sarracenioides Venezuela 2400–2450 m H. tatei Venezuela 1700–2400 m H. uncinata Venezuela 1850 m H. sp. 'Akopán Tepui' Venezuela 1800–1900 m H. sp. 'Angasima Tepui' Venezuela 2200–2250 m
Western range The western range of the genus is confined almost entirely to Amazonas state, Venezuela, but extends slightly into northernmost Brazil.
Neblina Massif The Neblina Massif is located in the extreme south of Amazonas and is dominated by the highly fragmented complex known as Cerro de la Neblina. This complex has many plateaus averaging 2000–2400 m in elevation, and includes Brazil's two highest peaks: Pico da Neblina (2994 m) and Pico 31 de Março (2973 m), known as Pico Phelps in Venezuela. A giant valley, Cañón Grande, runs southwest to northeast through the middle of Cerro de la Neblina. The smaller outcrops of Cerro Aracamuni and Cerro Avispa, both reaching approximately 1600 m, lie to the north of this complex.Huber, O. (1995). Geographical and physical features. In: P.E. Berry, B.K. Holst & K. Yatskievych (eds.) Flora of the Venezuelan Guayana. Volume 1. Introduction. Missouri Botanical Garden Press, St. Louis. pp. 1–61. The name Neblina Massif is sometimes applied specifically to Cerro de la Neblina, to the exclusion of Cerro Aracamuni and Cerro Avispa.
Four species are native to this area, all local endemics: H. ceracea, H. hispida, H. neblinae, and H. parva, though only the range of H. neblinae extends to the two northern cerro-plateaus. No Heliamphora are found on the small granitic outcrop of Cerro Aratitiyope (1700 m) to the north of the Neblina Massif.
Locality Coordinates Native taxa Altitudinal distribution Distribution notes Cerro de la Neblina (Sierra de la Neblina) H. ceracea 1900 m Known only from several small populations on slopes of Pico da Neblina in Brazil, but may have wider distribution. If not, it would be the only known species not found in Venezuela. H. hispida 1800–2994 m Found in southern portion of Cerro de la Neblina, on and around Pico da Neblina and Pico 31 de Março (including area around the Titirico River). Additional populations may grow in the largely unexplored Cañón Grande. Plants near the summit of Pico da Neblina (2994 m) represent the upper altitudinal limit for the genus. H. neblinae 2000–2200 m Known with certainty from southern portion of Cerro de la Neblina, where it grows on and around Pico da Neblina. Herbarium material suggests it is also present in the northern parts, though it has not been observed in the extreme north. H. parva 1750–2200 m Recorded from southern part of Cerro de la Neblina around Pico da Neblina at 2000–2200 m, though the largest known stands grow in the northwestern part of the massif, at lower elevations of 1750–1850 m. It is unknown whether the range of this species extends into the central valleys of Cerro de la Neblina. H. ceracea × H. hispida Recorded from Brazilian border area on flanks of Pico da Neblina. H. neblinae × H. parva Found in the north of Cerro de la Neblina. Complex backcrosses have been recorded. Undetermined hybrids Putative complex swarms involving H. ceracea, H. hispida, H. neblinae and H. parva are found in the southern part of Cerro de la Neblina, below Pico da Neblina. Cerro Aracamuni H. neblinae Widespread on this mountain. Cerro Avispa H. neblinae ≥860 m Widespread on this mountain. Populations growing at 860 m represent the lower altitudinal limit for the genus.
Duida group This area consists of the giant Cerro Duida as well as the much smaller Cerro Huachamacari to the northwest and Cerro Marahuaca to the northeast. Cerro Duida and Cerro Marahuaca share a common base and together form the Duida–Marahuaca Massif, while Cerro Huachamacari is derived from a separate base. The uneven plateau of Cerro Duida is heavily inclined, rising north to south from around 1300–1400 m to a maximum of 2358 m. But the highest point of the massif, at 2832 m, is found on Cerro Marahuaca, this being the second-highest mountain of the entire Guayana Shield (after Cerro de la Neblina). Cerro Marahuaca actually consists of two summit plateaus, the slightly larger northern one going by the Yekwana Amerindian name Fufha or Huha (). The southern plateau () is known by two local names; its northwestern edge is called Fuif (or Fhuif), whereas its southeastern portion is called Atahua'shiho (or Atawa Shisho). A massive ridge known as Cerro Petaca () rises to at least 2700 m just west of these two plateaus. The third major tepui of the Duida group, Cerro Huachamacari, is comparatively low, reaching only 1900 m.
Two species are recognised from this complex and found nowhere else: H. macdonaldae and H. tatei. A third described species, H. tyleri, is universally treated as a synonym of H. tatei.
Locality Coordinates Native taxa Altitudinal distribution Distribution notes Cerro Duida (Cerro Yennamadi) H. macdonaldae 1500–2300 m Known with certainty from the southern portion of the summit plateau. H. tatei Found on summits, ridge tops, and slopes. ?H. macdonaldae × H. tatei This putative natural hybrid has been observed in the southern part of Cerro Duida.Rivadavia, F. (14 June 2008). Cerro Duida, Cerro Avispa, Cerro Aracamuni. Carnivorous Plants UK. Cerro Huachamacari (Cerro Huachamakari, Cerro Kushamakari) ?H. macdonaldae Presence suggested by unconfirmed reports. H. tatei Found on summits, ridge tops, and slopes. Cerro Marahuaca (Cerro Marahuaka) ?H. macdonaldae Presence suggested by unconfirmed reports. H. tatei Found on summits, ridge tops, and slopes. It is unknown whether this plant is present on the northern summit plateau of Fufha.
Eastern range The eastern range of the genus includes the vast majority of species. It is largely encompassed by Bolívar state, Venezuela, but also extends into portions of western Guyana and northern Brazil.
Angasima and Upuigma The imposing peaks of Angasima Tepui (2250 m) and Upuigma Tepui (2100 m) lie south of the much larger Chimantá Massif, from which they are separated by the Río Aparurén valley. Three Heliamphora species are native to Angasima Tepui: the undescribed endemic H. sp. 'Angasima Tepui' and two species shared with the nearby Chimantá Massif (H. huberi and H. pulchella). Only the range of H. pulchella extends to the isolated peak of Upuigma Tepui.
Locality Coordinates Native taxa Altitudinal distribution Distribution notes Angasima Tepui H. huberi H. pulchella H. sp. 'Angasima Tepui' 2200–2250 m Endemic to summit region. Upuigma Tepui (El Castillo) H. pulchella
Aprada Massif The Aprada Massif consists of Aprada Tepui (2500 m) and the smaller Araopán Tepui (2450 m) to the east. A steep, semi-circular ridge connects these two summits. The Aprada Massif lies northwest of the much larger Chimantá Massif, with which it shares its two native species: H. exappendiculata and H. pulchella.
Locality Coordinates Native taxa Altitudinal distribution Distribution notes Aprada Tepui H. pulchella H. exappendiculata Found on summit in marshy savannahs and shrubby forests. Araopán Tepui H. pulchella H. exappendiculata Found on summit in marshy savannahs and shrubby forests. H. exappendiculata × H. pulchella Occurs in small numbers.
Auyán Massif The Auyán Massif is dominated by Auyán Tepui, a vast U-shaped plateau incised from the north by a deep central valley. It rises from 1600 m in the northwest to 2450 m in the southeast, where the world's highest uninterrupted waterfall, Angel Falls, is located. While Auyán Tepui is one of the largest tepuis, it hosts only a single Heliamphora species, H. minor, of which two varieties are recognised. Both varieties are present on Auyán Tepui itself and on the comparatively tiny Cerro La Luna (1650 m), located off its northern flank. Neither has been recorded from nearby Cerro El Sol (1750 m), otherwise known as Wei or Uei Tepui (). The southernmost component of the Auyán Massif is the 1950 m high Uaipán Tepui or Waipán Tepui (), which likewise has no recorded Heliamphora.