"Nepenthes ovata" was first collected as early as November 1840 or 1841 by Franz Wilhelm Junghuhn on Mount Lubukraya (Loeboekraja). Junghuhn collected two specimens at an elevation of 1990 m. Their growth habit is recorded as ""in silvis cacuminis supremi scandens, repens"", which means "in woods above peak creeping, climbing". One of the specimens, H.L.B. 908,155-870, was originally deposited at Herbarium Lugduno-Batavum in Leiden, while the other, H.A.R.T. 000252, was deposited at Herbarium Academicum Rheno-Traiectinum, the herbarium of the University of Utrecht. They are now held at the National Herbarium of the Netherlands in Leiden. Both consist of male plant material.