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Pitcher Plant Sarracenia
purpurea L. is a perennial, carnivorous herb.
Description: Leaves evergreen, modified
into pitchers and arranged in a rosette. Plant leave is modified into a
cornucopia shape, a vase-like shape, widening toward the mouth.
Pitcher fills with or is partly full of rainwater. Leaf color varies from
bright yellow-green to dark purple with strong red venation. The leaves,
or pitchers, are produced each year from stems arising from the rhizomes.
The modified leaves perform the task of taking in
nutrients (insects) required for photosynthesis.
Flower pink to dark red, solitary, on a leafless stem,
1'-2', arising from the rhizome.
Fruit a capsule with laterally winged seeds.
Long lived Rhizomes live in soil (bog moss or peat) for
20-30 years.
Location: Roots function almost entirely for
support in highly acidic bog water. Found with cranberries in acid bogs of
the northern tier of States. Rare Golden Pitcher Plants are found in bogs
of northern California, and southern California arboretums.
Notes: Insects are attracted to the
colorful red lip of the "pitcher". Red veins lead downward
and are baited with nectar. Following the bait, the prey reach the curve
of the tube, which is lined with fine hairs, all pointing downward. Here
the animal falls into the pitcher, which contains rain, dew, and a
digestive enzyme that soon dissolves the victim.
Veterinarian/Wildlife: The plant not only
consumes insects but also mites, spiders, isopods and small frogs.
The diet of meat helps the plants remain vigorous, but it does not
appear essential for survival. From their digested prey the plants
obtain phosphorus and nitrogen, vitamins and trace minerals necessary for
photosynthesis..
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Flower in
bloom, May and June.