They are among the dominant plant groups, covering large areas of the bog and pool margins that the constant rain creates.

The Heliamphora genus deserves special attention.

These are the oldest known pitcher plant genus, and most of their species are found only on tepui summits in Venezuela and adjacent countries.

The genus has been on tepui summits long enough — millions of years of isolation — that it has diversified extensively, with different species evolved for different tepui environments.

Heliamphora pitchers are elegant structures.

They are formed from modified leaves rolled into a tube, with a small flap or wing at the top that prevents excess rain from diluting the digestive fluid inside.