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Sarracenia
(pitcher plant)
The genus Sarracenia is North American with most species being found infrequently from the Carolinas to Louisiana, mostly along the coastal plain. One species however, Sarracenia purpurea, is found to extend its range into the extremes of northern Canada.
Sarracenia purpurea (purple pitcher plant)
The following is a list and brief description of a few of the Sarracenia species:
S. purpurea (purple pitcher plant) Leaves are short, 4 to 8 inches; green, with many purple veins (common). Whole plant is sometimes red. Certain sub-species are all green. The flower is maroon. N. FL to LA, Man. and Nfld.
S. psittacina (parrot pitcher plant) Leaves usually 4 to 8 inches; mostly reddish-purple with some green. Flower is purple (common). GA to N. FL and LA.
Sarracenia psittacina
(parrot pitcher plant)
-species with upright/tubular leaves-
S. flava (Southern yellow pitcher plant) Leaves 10 inches to 2 feet; green to yellow (common) with red veins sometimes present. Also, "copper top" (rare). Flower is yellow. N. FL to AL, Carolinas and S. VA (rare).
Sarracenia flava "okee" (in natural habitat)
(southern yellow pitcher plant)
PHOTO: BILL WEBBER
S. rubra (sweet trumpet) Leaves 4 to 12 inches; usually green with thin reddish-brown veins. The flower is maroon (common). SE NC and N. FL to MS.
Sarracenia rubra (typical) from seed
(sweet trumpet pitcher plant)
S. leucophylla (drummondii) (white top pitcher plant) Leaves are 10 inches to 3 feet or more not uncommon; green to reddish-brown at bottom with hood and opening area white and sometimes with red veins. The flower is purple. GA to NW FL and MS.
Sarracenia leucophylla (drummondii)
(white top pitcher plant)
S. minor (hooded pitcher plant) Leaves generally 10 to 20 inches; green to yellow sometimes with maroon and top is covered by hood with transparent spots. The flower is yellow. SE NC to NE FL.
Sarracenia minor (okee) in natural habitat
(hooded pitcher plant)
PHOTO: BILL WEBBER
There are two other species of Sarracenia, S. alata and S. oreophylla as well as several sub-species and many natural and "man introduced" hybrids. The hybrids will, of course, display the intermediate characteristics of the parent plants. There are also "cross-backs" which contain two parts one parent and one part other parent. A perfect example is shown below.
Sarracenia x mitchelliana x leucophylla
(S. leucophylla x purpurea x leucophylla)
During normal conditions, the hollow tube of the pitcher plant will contain a liquid which is made up of water and enzymes. The unwary victim is attracted to the pitcher mouth by nectar which has been secreted by glands in that area. The insect is then persuaded to go down to the liquid by the downward pointing hairs which line the inside of the pitcher. Although the pitcher plant displays no movement, the insect is usually caught. Thus, the plant obtains nutrients which it can not get from the acid soil in which it lives. Interesting point: wasps seem to be particularly attracted to the pitcher plants.
BASIC CARE: As with most of the Carnivorous Plants, the Pitcher Plants require several hours of sunlight each day. The plants grow best in a very moist to wet planting medium which must consist of an acid soil such as Sphagnum peat moss. CLICK HERE for more information on the general care and cultivation of Carnivorous Plants.
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