Sarracenia L. Pitcherplants

Other Common Names: North American Pitcher Plants, Trumpet Pitchers. Family: Sarraceniaceae. Cold Hardiness: Cold and heat tolerance are highly variable among taxa as the range of hardiness varies from near boreal to subtropical; some such as S. purpurea are cold tolerant to USDA hardiness zone 4 (3) whereas most other species may be tolerant of only USDA hardiness zone 7 or 8 winters. Foliage: Evergreen to dieback herbaceous narrowly funnel-shaped mature leaves resemble thin blown- glass wineglasses or squat goblet-shapes with a flared forward bent hood giving them an almost snake-like character; the shape of the hoods varies from flat-topped or snake-like hoods (S. alata, S. flava, S. rubra), to those resembling folds (S. purpurea, S. rosea), folded flaps (S. minor), or even a parrot's beak (S. psittacina); the color contrasts of the intricate venation pattern and background tissues in the hoods enhance this sibilant effect; smaller green lanceolate leaves are often clustered at the base of the larger mature leaves; leaves are variable in length from 6 to 12 on some taxa to as much as 36 on others; the unique shape and color patterns lure insects into the funnel-shaped leaf where exudates and inverted hairs prevent their escape; over time the insects are passively digested and the nutrients, particularly nitrates absorbed into the plant permitting them to persist on extremely nutrient poor soils. Flower: The flowers are interesting but infrequently seen; typically borne on stalks that extend to the height of or above the foliage by several inches, most flowers are fairly large, 2 to 4 inches across; most are broadly trumpet shaped, but many others are more variable with some appearing nearly cup-shaped and still others resembling a cross between an Iris flower and a trumpet; some flowers are initially held erect, but most eventually become pendent; five showy yellow to red petals are surrounded by five showy sepals, often of slightly different hue, usually subtended by a set of three smaller green bracts at the base of the flowers. Fruit: Fruit are small five-ribbed globose pumpkin shaped capsules which when ripe rupture along the tops of the ribs to form a star-fish shaped opening that exposes the numerous white to brown wedge-shaped seeds; capsules may go through color changes from that similar to the flowers to some shade of brown when ripe. Stem / Bark: Stems — leaves arise from tight rosettes at ground level; Buds — buds are buried within the densely packed base of the foliage; Bark — not applicable. Habit: Pitcherplants are unique carnivorous herbaceous plants with erect leaves 1 to 2 (3) tall arising from a dense basal rosette, some of the leaves are modified into fluted narrow goblet shapes topped by a flared hoods; textures are coarse and growth rates rather slow. Cultural Requirements: Full sun is usually the best exposure; moisture is required, most prefer soggy acidic soils, some even with shallow water; they are tolerant of extremely nutrient poor soils, but are drought intolerant. Pathological Problems: Relatively few diseases or pests bother Pitcherplants, but sometimes if too many insects are trapped in the leaves the decaying mass can cause Pitcherplant rot in that leaf, scale insects sometimes infest the leaves, and occasionally stronger chewing insects can eat the leaves but these issues are not often life-threatening to the plants. Ornamental Assets: Showy flowers when present and tremendously unique and interesting foliage are the standard reasons to plant these taxa. Limitations & Liabilities: Requirements for cultivation have a narrow window and Pitcherplants can be difficult to work smoothly into landscape designs without dominating the scene or looking contrived. Landscape Utilization: Sarracenia are naturals for bog gardens or margins of water features where the water levels can be regulated; these are fantastic plants for school or educational gardens and can be grown in tub or container culture with a bit of care; the cut leaves are sometimes used in dried or fresh arrangements. Other Comments: The unique foliage and carnivorous nature make this an irresistible plant for collectors; the genus name honors the turn of the 18th century Quebec physician Dr. Michael Sarrazin de L'Etang who first sent S. purpurea to Europe. Native Habitat: Most Sarracenia are native to the Southeastern USA or eastern seaboard, but S. purpurea can be found as far north as Canada. Related Taxa: Sarracenia alata (see below), Sarracenia flava L. (Sarracenia gronovii var. flava, Huntsman's-Horn, Yellow Pitcherplant, Yellow Trumpet Pitcherplant, Trumpetleaf, Trumpets, Umbrella-Trumpets, Watches), Sarracenia leucophylla C.S. Rafinesque (Crimson Pitcherplant, Purple Trumpetleaf, White Top Pitcherplant, White Trumpet), Sarracenia minor T. Walter (Hooded Pitcherplant, Okefenokee Pitcherplant, Rainhat-Trumpet), Sarracenia psittacina A. Michaux (Parrot Pitcherplant), Sarracenia purpurea L. (Common Pitcherplant, Huntsman's-Cap, Huntsman's-Cup, Indian Cup-Plant, Pitcherplant, Purple Pitcherplant, Side-Saddle-Flower, Southern Pitcherplant, Sweet Pitcherplant), Sarracenia rosea R.F.C. Naczi, F.W. Case and R.B. Case (Purple Pitcherplant), and Sarracenia rubra T. Walter (Sarracenia gronovii var. rubra, Mountain Sweet Pitcherplant, Sweet Pitcherplant) are native to the Southeastern USA and are periodically available in the trade along with several hybrid taxa among them; Sarracenia purpurea has the most widespread native range among these taxa being found naturally from Canada to the Southern USA, although with numerous discontinuities within in this range; it is sometimes referred to as Northern Pitcherplant and was the first species introduced into Europe; northern provenances of S. purpurea would be the species of choice for colder climates.

Sarracenia alata (Alph. Wood) Alph. Wood Yellow Trumpets (Sarracenia gronovii var. alata) • Sarracenia alata is also known as Flycatcher, Pale Pitcherplant, or Yellow Pitcherplant; the only native Texas species, S. alata can be found in the Southeastern USA from Robertson County in extreme eastern Central Texas to Georgia; plants consist of spreading clumps of 1 to 2 (3) tall narrowly funnel-shaped leaves; these plants are found in permanently moist soils, but unlike other Sarracenia are less vigorous in permanently soggy sites. • Leaves are a bright yellow-green to green base color, highlighted with intricate interesting red veins; the showy early spring flowers are borne atop pencil thin stalks and vary from pale yellow, yellow- green, creamy yellow to nearly white in color; flowers emit a pleasant mild lemon scent; this is probably the species of choice for all but the colder Texas locations.

References: Barthlott et al., 2007; Tomocik, 1996.

Copyright 2013 by Michael A. Arnold with all rights reserved; intended for future inclusion in Landscape Plants For Texas And Environs, Fourth Edition.