Pitcher Plants (Sarracenia species)

There are 8 species of Pitcher Plants and various varieties and sub-species.

Sarracenia flava varieties

photo by Martin Mulchinock

They are all native to the eastern side of the USA with one species extending north through in to Canada.

Although at first glance the traps appear fairly rudimentary, they are, in fact, remarkably well engineered.

Typically they produce an upright tube with a lid which overhangs the entrance of the trap. This lid has nectar secreting cells on it's upper surface, which are predominately found around the outer margin-the purpose of which are to act as an attractant to flying insects.

On alighting on the lid, the insect quickly discovers that a larger supply of nectar is to be found on the underside of the lid and on the throat of the pitcher mouth. The nectar appears to have an intoxicating effect and the prey quickly becomes rather unsteady, gradually loosing their footing on the waxy coating on the inner surface of the mouth and rim and falling in to the tube. Here the insects' escape is made impossible by many downward pointing hairs, and they either drown in the pitcher fluid or eventually die of exhaustion.

Sarracenia x popei Lid Detail

photo by Martin Mulchinock

Digestive enzymes are released in to the pitcher to break down the prey and the resulting nutrients are stored in the rhizome at the base of the plant.

The one exception is S. psittacina-the Parrot Pitcher, which produces flat prostrate rosettes whose leaves are held flat to the ground. Instead of a lid, this species has a domed hood with a small mouth positioned at about 90 degrees facing in towards the centre of the plant.

This species catches mainly crawling insects and the structure of the domed hood acts in a similar manner to a lobster pot. Once inside the dome the insect becomes confused by light entering from many false windows (fenestrations). Eventually, the prey enters the tube of the pitcher where it's escape is barred by many long, interlocking hairs which make it impossible to move back towards the dome. Digestion then occurs in the same way as with the other species.

Cultivation.

Sarracenia x popei Red Form

photo by Martin Mulchinock

Compost: Moss peat and lime free horticultural sand or moss peat and perlite to a ratio of 1:1.

Water: Rain or distilled/deionised water only. Stand in about 2-3 inches of water during the growing season (approximately March-November), and keep only damp over the dormant winter months when the growth dies back.

Light: Full direct sun.

Temperature: During the summer months when the plants are in growth they can tolerate extremely high temperatures, making them ideal for situations such as conservatories, greenhouses, sunny south facing windowsills (for lower growing species) and outside.

During the winter there is a dormant period, and at this time most of the species die back to the rhizome to protect themselves from the winter cold. All species are cold tolerant and indeed some (SS. flava, oreophila, purpurea subsp. purpurea, and their hybrids) are completely hardy in the UK climate, although we have grown all of the species outside with no losses which suggests that their tolerance is much more than previously thought. Those that are not considered fully not hardy are still capable of withstanding very low temperatures, and actually require this cold rest period. Ours are grown under glass, but unheated where the temperature falls virtually to that on the outside. The lowest temperature I have recorded was minus 10 degrees celcius at the end of 2000.

The ideal place for these plants is therefore a sunny aspect for the growing season and a cold position for the winter dormacy, either outside or under cover in a greenhouse or by a garage window.

Sarracenia flava varieties

photo by Martin Mulchinock

Species

Sarracenia alata-The Pale Pitcher

Typically slender, pale green pitchers, which in some individuals can reach 28 inches. Creamy yellow to white flowers are produced. Various colour forms exist including red-lids, red pitchers, black pitchers, and colours in between. Some of these can be very large.

S arracenia flava-The Yellow Pitcher.

Divided in to 7 varieties, this plant can attain 3 feet in height. The typical form has stocky pitchers with a small amount of red veining in the throat. Varieties include red tubed, copper lidded, all red, all green, and heavily veined. Lovely long petalled yellow flowers with a somewhat feline odour! Hardy.

Sarracenia leucophylla

photo by Martin Mulchinock

Sarracenia leucophylla-The White Trumpet.

Stunning white topped pitchers to 3 feet with green to vivid crimson veining depending on individual clones.

This is certainly one of the most beautiful species. Red flowers.

Sarracenia minor var.

okeefenokeensis

Sarracenia minor-The Hooded Pitcher.

Unusual hooded traps to about 12 inches in height, with white ‘windows’ on the rear of the pitcher.

A giant form, var. okeefenokeensis from the Okeefenokee Swamp produces pitchers to 3 feet. flowers.

Small yellow flowers are produced in the spring.

Sarracenia oreophila Flowers

Sarracenia oreophila-The Green Trumpet.

Now very restricted in its natural range, this plant is considered endangered.

Similar to a small stocky S. flava, but with a rounder lid and distinct sickle shaped winter leaves. Yellow flowers reminiscent of S. flava but with smaller petals. Hardy.

Sarracenia psittacina-The Parrot Pitcher.

Bizarre, prostrate pitchers, forming burgundy clumps. This plant has a trap similar in design to a lobster pot, and catches mainly crawling insects. It produces its red flowers infrequently compared to other species, and is fairly constant throughout its range, except for all green anthocyanin free forms, which produce yellow flowers, and a giant form.

Sarracenia purpurea-The Huntsmans’ Horn.

Divided in to 2 sub-species-purpurea and venosa, this plant produces small water filled open pitchers to about 5 inches in height. They are usually green with varying amounts of red veining, with some being entirely red. Sub-species purpurea is the northern form and is completely hardy.

Sarracenia rubra-The Sweet Trumpet.

A small species divided in to 5 sub-species. They range in height from 6-24 inches, with most producing slender, lightly veined pitchers, which vary in shape and size. They are clump forming plants and have petite sweet smelling red flowers. Two sub-species-alabamensis and jonesii are considered endangered. Some coloured forms exist including anthocyanin free plants.