Commonly known as pitcher plants (see the leaves of the pitcher plant via Google Image Search for the reason why), the genus Sarracenia is solely distributed in eastern North America. Its family, the Sarraceniaceae, contains three genera: Sarracenia, Darlingtonia (native to California and southern Oregon), and the South American genus Heliamphora. Each of these genera have highly modified leaves that are used to entice and trap insects for food. As they are bog plants, access to nutrients is a challenge; insectivory, which gives the plants access to a fairly high amount of nitrogen, is an effective adaptation to the stress of living in a nutrient-poor environment.
This flower photograph of Sarracenia purpurea was taken at the edge of the Libau Bog Ecological Reserve in Manitoba last year.
Wow! I've always wondered what they smell like, but whenever I'm near them I forget to find out. (Therefore, what do they smell like?)
I'm partial to the pitures of flowers. Color plays an important part for me. Thanks for including both b&w and color.
WOW!!! I didn't even know anything like that existed in North America. Is it similar to a Venus Fly Trap? What is the content of the bog...algae, perhaps peat moss?
Wow! Great stuff. Thanks a lot for submitting the news feed to inewstorrent.com
Well, I didn't submit the channel - maybe someone else did? Anyway, there's a typo in the submission, Gene - I've contacted you through the contact form on the site about it.
Gorgeous. The different shades on the color photograph are just wonderful. Thanks!
Any suggestions for getting these guys to grow in the mid-west? Has anyone had success growing them in a 'modified' bog in the ohio valley area?
thanks,
cindy
how does this plant protects itself im just wondering cause i am doing a project on it but it does not say and if you could e-mail me some interesting facts about this plant that would be great ASAP though please thanks
bye from bailey gray
June 15, 2008 - I just discovered one of these gorgeous pitcher plants in Tobermory, Ontario Canada, along the shores of Lake Huron in a bog area ! It had 2 flowers on it just like your picture(s) and then I noticed the "pitcher like leaves" . I am an avid gardener, but never, ever had I seen a plant like this before ! I had to search the internet to find out exactly "what it was" and it's name..................... I will now see if I can find more on another walk !!
Have Sarracenia in beautiful ornamental glass container-indoors,grows in moss.Stunning to see,but the smell of decay horrific!Not sure of maintenance,any helpful comments? Do pitchers need regular drinks of rainwater?In an indoor situation,if not enough flies as feed,how much meat required and how often?
I have observed many of these wildflowers in an Alvar in Tobermory Ontario Canada over the years. Here is a picture I took in Aug. 2010 of a beautiful specimen.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8287503@N04/4948071199/in/pool-70904162@N00/