Sarracenia
Sarracenia species and hybrids
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Ericales Family: Sarraceniaceae Genus: Sarracenia L.
Sarracenia range (all species)
Species
See text. Plants are living Organisms belonging to the kingdom Plantae. The flowering plants or angiosperms ( Angiospermae or Magnoliophyta) are the most widespread group Magnoliopsida is the Botanical name for a class of Flowering plants By definition the class will include the family Magnoliaceae, but its The Ericales are a large and diverse order of Dicotyledons including for example Tea, Persimmon, Blueberry, Brazil nut, and Sarraceniaceae is a family of Pitcher plants (along with Nepenthaceae) belonging to order Ericales (previously Nepenthales) Carl Linnaeus (Latinized as Carolus Linnaeus, also known after his ennoblement as, May 23 new style (13 May old style 1707 who laid the foundations for

The anatomy of S. purpurea

Sarracenia (pronounced /sæɹəsɛniːɑː/ or /sæɹəsiːniːɑː/) is a genus comprising the nine (or arguably up to thirteen) species of North American pitcher plants. A genus (plural genera from Γένος Latin genus "descent family type gender" is a low-level Taxonomic Pitcher plants are Carnivorous plants whose prey-trapping mechanism features a deep cavity filled with Liquid known as a pitfall trap. The genus belongs to the family Sarraceniaceae, which also contain the closely allied genera Darlingtonia and Heliamphora. Sarraceniaceae is a family of Pitcher plants (along with Nepenthaceae) belonging to order Ericales (previously Nepenthales) Darlingtonia is also a genus of snakes in the family Colubridae. The genus Heliamphora (hiːliːæmfɔːɹə/ or /hɛliːæmfɔːɹə from Greek: helos = Marsh, amphoreus = Amphora

Sarracenia are carnivorous plants indigenous to the eastern seaboard, Texas, the Great Lakes area and southeastern Canada, with most species occurring only in the south-east United States (only S. purpurea occurs in cold-temperate regions). Carnivorous plants (sometimes called insectivorous plants) are Plants that derive some or most of their Nutrients (but not Energy) from trapping Texas ( is a state geographically located in the South Central United States and is also known as the Lone Star State. The Laurentian Great Lakes are a chain of freshwater lakes located in eastern North America, on the Canada–United States border. Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Sarracenia purpurea, commonly known as the Purple pitcher plant or Side-saddle flower, is a Carnivorous plant in the family Sarraceniaceae The plant's leaves have evolved into a funnel in order to trap insects, and which produce enzymes to digest their prey. eVolution is the third Album by eLDee, it was due to be released in 2008 Insects ( Class Insecta) are a major group of Arthropods and the most diverse group of Animals on the Earth with over a million described Enzymes are Biomolecules that catalyze ( ie increase the rates of Chemical reactions Almost all enzymes are Proteins The insects are attracted by a nectar-like secretion on the lip of pitchers, as well as a combination of color and scent. Slippery footing at the pitchers' rim, aided in at least one species by a narcotic drug lacing the nectar, causes insects to fall inside, where they die and are digested by the plant as a nutrient source. Only S. purpurea normally contains significant rainwater in its tubular pitchers. It is a myth that all species contain water. In fact, the hoods of the other species help to keep out rain water in addition to keeping flying prey from escaping.

In common with many carnivorous plants, Sarracenia usually inhabit permanently wet regions with a low pH whose nutrients, particularly nitrates, are continuously leached away by water or made unavailable by the low pH. pH is the measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a Solution. In Inorganic chemistry, a nitrate is a salt of Nitric acid with an Ion composed of one Nitrogen and three Oxygen atoms Sarracenia consequently gain a competitive advantage over other plants from the substances they extract from their animal prey.

Morphology and carnivorous mechanism

Sarracenia are herbaceous perennial plants that grow from a subterranean rhizome, with many tubular pitcher-shaped leaves radiating out from the growing point, and then turning upwards with their trap openings facing the centre of the crown. A herbaceous plant (or in botanical use a Herb) is a Plant that has leaves and stems that die down at the end of A perennial plant or perennial ( Latin per, "through" annus, "year" is a Plant that lives for more than In Botany, a rhizome is a horizontal stem of a Plant that is usually found underground often sending out Roots and Shoots The trap is a vertical tube with a 'hood' (the operculum) extending over its entrance; and below it the top of the tube usually has a rolled lip (the peristome) which secretes nectar and scents. In Botany, operculum may be used to describe any of the following A flap of the sporangium of a moss, covering the peristome (appendages surrounding The word peristome is derived from the Greek peri, meaning 'around' or 'about' and stoma, 'mouth' The hood itself frequently produces nectar too, but in lesser quantities.

The inside of the pitcher tube, regardless of species, can be divided into three to five distinguishable zones: zone 1 is the operculum (or hood), zone 2 is the peristome and rest of the trap entrance, while zones 3 and 4 (which in some species are combined) and 5 (only present in S. purpurea) are further divisions of the actual tube. Sarracenia purpurea, commonly known as the Purple pitcher plant or Side-saddle flower, is a Carnivorous plant in the family Sarraceniaceae Each of these zones has a specific function, with corresponding morphophysiological characteristics.

• Zone 1: The Operculum. In most species the operculum covers at least part of the pitcher opening, thereby preventing rain from excessively filling the pitcher, which would result in the loss of prey. The operculum also serves to guide prey to the pitcher opening, using a combination of color, scent, and downward-pointing hairs to guide insects toward the trap entrance. Some species, specifically S. minor and S. psittacina, have opercula which hang low over the pitcher entrance. Sarracenia minor, also known as the Hooded pitcher plant, is a Carnivorous plant in the Genus Sarracenia. Sarracenia psittacina, also known as the Parrot pitcher plant, is a Carnivorous plant in the Genus Sarracenia. These are also studded with chlorophyll-free patches, translucent "windows" which confuse prey into attempting to fly through the operculum, thereby causing them to cascade down the pitcher tube. Chlorophyll is a green Pigment found in most Plants Algae and Cyanobacteria. In Optics, transparency (also called pellucidity) is the Material property of allowing (A similar, more well developed mechanism is found in the closely related Darlingtonia californica). Darlingtonia is also a genus of snakes in the family Colubridae.

Sarracenia trap insects using pitchers with nectar and slippery footing around the lip

• Zone 2: Peristome and trap entrance. This zone is composed mainly of the peristome, which produces copious amounts of nectar, luring insect prey to land or crawl onto the perilous footing surrounding the pitcher trap. This zone also includes the waxy upper portion of the pitcher tube. Footing on this zone is especially treacherous, as the waxy deposits on surface of this zone cause unwary insects to lose their footing and tumble into the pitcher depths.

• Zone 3: Located below Zone 2, this zone features a leaf surface with non-existent footing, as well as a coating of ultra-fine, downward pointing hairs. Insects that have made it this far lose any chance of escape. It is also studded with digestive glands, which secrete digestive enzymes into the digestive fluid. A gland is an organ in an animal's body that synthesizes a substance for release such as Hormones or Breast milk, often into the Bloodstream Enzymes are Biomolecules that catalyze ( ie increase the rates of Chemical reactions Almost all enzymes are Proteins

• Zone 4: This is the final zone in most species. It is filled with digestive fluids, and readily absorbs nutrients released from the insects by the work of the digestive enzymes and bacteria in the pitcher fluid. FLUID ( F ast L ight '''U'''ser '''I'''nterface D esigner is a graphical editor that is used to produce FLTK Source code The Bacteria ( singular: bacterium) are a large group of unicellular Microorganisms Typically a few Micrometres in length bacteria have Along with more digestive glands, this zone features a thick coating of coarse downward pointing hairs, which makes escape from the digestive fluids impossible.

• Zone 5: This zone, located below Zone 4 and found only in S. purpurea, is smooth, glabrous, lacks glands, and doesn't serve as an absorptive zone. Sarracenia purpurea, commonly known as the Purple pitcher plant or Side-saddle flower, is a Carnivorous plant in the family Sarraceniaceae Glabrousness (from Latin glaber = bald hairless is the technical term for an anatomically abnormal lack of Hair or down. Its function is unknown.

Carnivorous mechanism

All Sarracenia trap insects and other prey without the use of moving parts. Their traps are static and are based on a combination of lures (including colour, scent, and nectar) and inescapability – typically the entrances to the traps are one-way by virtue of the highly adapted features listed above.

Most species use a combination of scent, drugged nectar, waxy deposits (to clog insect feet) and gravity to topple insect prey into their pitcher; Coniine, an alkaloid drug narcotic to insects, has been discovered in the nectar-like secretions of at least S. flava. Coniine is a poisonous Alkaloid found in poison hemlock and the Yellow Pitcher Plant, and contributes to hemlock's fetid smell This article is about the chemical compounds alkaloids For the Pharmaceutical company in the Republic of Macedonia see Alkaloid (company. Nectar is a Sugar -rich liquid produced by plants It is produced either by the Flowers in which it attracts pollinating animals or by extrafloral Sarracenia flava, the Yellow pitcher plant, is a Carnivorous plant in the family Sarraceniaceae. Once inside, the insect finds the footing very slippery with fine wax dustings to the walls of the pitcher. Further down the tube, downward-pointing hairs make retreat impossible, and in the lowest region of the tube, a pool of liquid containing digestive enzymes and wetting agents quickly drowns the prey and begins digestion. The exoskeletons are usually not digested, and over the course of the summer fill up the pitcher tube.

S. psittacina, the Parrot pitcher, uses a lobster-pot style trap that will admit prey (including tadpoles and small fish during floods) but not allow it to find its way out; and sharp inward-pointing hairs force the victim gradually down to the base of the pitcher where it is digested. Sarracenia psittacina, also known as the Parrot pitcher plant, is a Carnivorous plant in the Genus Sarracenia. A lobster trap is a portable trap which traps Lobsters or Crayfish and is used in Lobster fishing. A tadpole or polliwog (also pollywog, polliwig, polewig, or polwig) is the wholly aquatic larval stage in the life cycle of

Flowers and seeds

Cutaway view of a Sarracenia flower

Flowers are produced early in spring, with or slightly ahead of the first pitchers. They are held singly on long stems, generally well above the pitcher traps to avoid the trapping of potential pollinators. Pollination in angiosperms and Gymnosperms is the process that transfers pollen grains, which contain the male Gametes (sperm to where the female The flowers, which depending on species are 3-10 cm in diameter, are dramatic and have an elaborate design which prevents self-pollination. It consists of five sepals superintended by three bracts, numerous anthers, and an umbrella-like five-pointed style, over which five long yellow or red petals dangle. A sepal (from Latin separatus "separate" + petalum "petal" is a part of the flower of Angiosperms or flower plants In Botany, a bract is a modified or specialized Leaf. Bracts are ordinarily associated with reproductive structures (subtending Flowers Inflorescence "Parasol" redirects here For other uses see Umbrella (disambiguation, Umbrella (song or Parasol (disambiguation A gynoecium (from Ancient Greek gyne, "woman" is the Female reproductive part of a Flower. A petal (from Ancient Greek petalon "leaf" "thin plate" regarded as a highly modified leaf is one member or part of the corolla The whole flower is held upside-down, so that the umbrella-like style catches the pollen dropped by the anthers. Pollen is a fine to coarse powder consisting of microgametophytes ( pollen grains) which produce the male Gametes (sperm cells of The stamen ( Plural stamina or stamens, from Latin stamen meaning "thread of the warp " is the male The stigmas are located at the tips of the umbrella-like style. A gynoecium (from Ancient Greek gyne, "woman" is the Female reproductive part of a Flower. The primary pollinators are bees. Bees are flying Insects closely related to Wasps and Ants Bees are a Monophyletic lineage within the superfamily Apoidea Bees searching for nectar must force their way past one of the stigmas to enter the chamber formed by the style. Nectar is a Sugar -rich liquid produced by plants It is produced either by the Flowers in which it attracts pollinating animals or by extrafloral Inside, they will inevitably come in contact with a lot of pollen, both from the hanging anthers and from the pollen collected by the style. Upon exiting, the bees must force their way under one of the flap-like petals. This keeps them away from the stigma, avoiding self-pollination. The next flower visited receives on its stigmata some of the first flower's pollen, and the cycle continues.

Sarracenia alata flowers

Floral formula: Ca⁵ Co⁵ A^∞ G⁽⁵⁾

The flowers of almost all species are scented. A flower, also known as a bloom or Blossom, is the reproductive structure found in Flowering plants (plants of the division Magnoliophyta, also The scent varies, but is often strong and sometimes unpleasant. Olfaction (also known as olfactics or smell) refers to the Sense of smell. S. flava has an especially strong odor resembling cat urine. Sarracenia flava, the Yellow pitcher plant, is a Carnivorous plant in the family Sarraceniaceae. Urine is a liquid waste product of the body secreted by the Kidneys by a process of filtration from Blood and Excreted through the Urethra.

Flowers generally last about two weeks. At the end of the flowering period, the petals drop and the ovary, if pollinated, begins to swell. The seed forms in five lobes, with one lobe producing significantly smaller numbers of seeds than the other lobes. ^[1] On average, 300-600 seed are produced,^[1] depending on species and pollination success. Seed takes five months to mature, at which point the seed pod turns brown and splits open, scattering seed. The seeds are 1. 5-2 mm in length and have a rough, waxy coat which makes it hydrophobic, possibly for seed dispersal by flowing water. ^[2] Sarracenia seed requires a stratification period to germinate. Plants grown from seed start producing functioning traps almost immediately, although they differ in morphology from adult traps for the first year or so, being simpler in structure. Plants require 3-5 years to reach maturity from seed.

Growth cycle

Pitcher production begins at the end of the flowering period in spring, and lasts until late autumn. At the end of autumn, the pitchers begin to wither and the plants produce non-carnivorous leaves called phyllodia, which play a role in the economics of carnivory in these species. Carnivorous plants (sometimes called insectivorous plants) are Plants that derive some or most of their Nutrients (but not Energy) from trapping Since the supply of insects during winter is decreased, and the onset of cold weather slows plant metabolism and other processes, putting energy into producing carnivorous leaves would be uneconomical for the plant. Metabolism is the set of Chemical reactions that occur in living Organisms in order to maintain Life.

Range and habitat

A Sphagnum peat bog with Sarracenia purpurea in the New Jersey Pine Barrens. These habitats are unique in that they are constantly wet, acidic, and low in nutrients.

Seven of the eight species are confined to the south-eastern coastal plain of the United States. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the One species (S. purpurea) continues north well into Canada. Sarracenia purpurea, commonly known as the Purple pitcher plant or Side-saddle flower, is a Carnivorous plant in the family Sarraceniaceae Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page The typical habitat is warm-temperate; all Sarracenia are perennial and require a distinct summer and winter. A perennial plant or perennial ( Latin per, "through" annus, "year" is a Plant that lives for more than A few subspecies or varieties (Sarracenia rubra ssp. alabamensis, Sarracenia rubra ssp. jonesii or Sarracenia purpurea var. montana) can be found more landinward in mountains (i. e. the Appalachian mountains). The Appalachian Mountains ( often called the Appalachians, are a vast system of mountains in eastern North America.

Sarracenia tend to inhabit permanently wet fens, swamps, and grassy plains. These habitats tend to be acidic with soil made up of sand and Sphagnum moss. Sphagnum is a Genus of between 151-350 species of Mosses commonly called peat moss, due to its prevalence in Peat bogs Mosses are small soft Plants that are typically 1–10  cm (0 Frequently, the soil will be poor in nutrients; often continuously washed clean by moving water. The plants gain their advantage from their ability to extract nutrients from insect prey in this mineral-poor environment. The plants prefer strong, direct sunlight with no shade.

In several cases, carnivorous plant enthusiasts have introduced Sarracenia purpurea into suitable habitats outside of its natural range, where it has naturalized. Sarracenia purpurea, commonly known as the Purple pitcher plant or Side-saddle flower, is a Carnivorous plant in the family Sarraceniaceae Some of these populations are decades old; the oldest known occurrence in the Swiss Jura mountains is about one hundred years old. The Jura Mountains are a small Mountain range located north of the Alps, separating the Rhine and Rhone rivers and forming part of Besides Switzerland, such naturalized populations can be found in Ireland, England (Lake District), Germany (Bavaria, Lusatia) and in Mendocino County along the California coast. Switzerland (English pronunciation; Schweiz Swiss German: Schwyz or Schwiiz Suisse Svizzera Svizra officially the Swiss Confederation Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Bavaria ( German:, with an area of 70553 Km² (27241 square miles and almost 12 Upper and Lower Lusatia Upper Lusatia ( Oberlausitz or Hornja Łužica) is today part of the German state of Saxony except for a small part east of Mendocino County is a County located on the north coast of the U California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean.

Environmental status

Sarracenia are threatened in the wild by development and the drainage of their habitat. A habitat (which is Latin for "it inhabits" is an Ecological or environmental area that is inhabited by a particular Species. Estimates indicated that 97. 5% of Sarracenia habitat has already been destroyed in the southeastern U. S. ,^[3] the home of all but one subspecies of Sarracenia. Currently the biggest threats to surviving populations are urban development, drainage of habitat for forestry, runoff of herbicides from agriculture, fire suppression, cut pitcher trade for floristry, and plant trade. Forestry is the Art and Science of managing forests tree Plantations and related Natural resources. A herbicide is used to kill unwanted Plants Selective herbicides kill specific targets while leaving the desired Crop relatively unharmed Agriculture refers to the production of goods through the growing of plants and fungi and the raising of domesticated Animals The study of agriculture Floristry is the general term used to describe the professional floral trade ^[4] The latter two threaten survival of Sarracenia not only through depletion of healthy population, but also because of the damaging effects (soil compaction and altered moisture levels) of repeated foot and vehicular traffic that comes with harvesting. The Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that approximately 1. 6 million pitchers were cut for the domestic market in 1991. ^[5]

A field with S. leucophylla. Scenes such as this used to be common in the coastal plains of the southeast US

Some protective legislation exists. Legislation (or " Statutory law " is law which has been promulgated (or " Enacted quot by a Legislature or other Governing Several southeastern states, such as Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina have conservation laws which protect Sarracenia. Florida ( is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the The State of Georgia ( is a state in the United States and was one of the original Thirteen Colonies that revolted against British rule South Carolina ( is a state in the southern region ( Deep South) of the United States of America. To conserve habitat life for wild species and prevent their Extinction or reduction in range is a priority of a great many groups that cannot be easily characterized in terms However, most of the remaining wetlands in the southeastern U. S. lie on private land. Plants on this land are not protected by state legislation. The key states of Alabama and Mississippi have no such legislation at all, so that even plants on public land have no protection. Alabama (formally the State of Alabama;) is a State located in the southern region of the United States of America. Mississippi ( is a state located in the Deep South of the United States ^[3] Three Sarracenia have been listed as "Federally Endangered" under the USA Endangered Species Act (1973) — S. rubra subsp. The Endangered Species Act of 1973 ( et seq or ESA is the most wide-ranging of the dozens of United States environmental laws passed in the 1970s Sarracenia rubra, also known as the Sweet pitcher plant, is a Carnivorous plant in the Genus Sarracenia. alabamensis (S. alabamensis) in Alabama, S. rubra subsp. Alabama (formally the State of Alabama;) is a State located in the southern region of the United States of America. Sarracenia rubra, also known as the Sweet pitcher plant, is a Carnivorous plant in the Genus Sarracenia. jonesii in North and South Carolina, and S. North Carolina ( is a state located on the Atlantic Seaboard in the southeastern United States South Carolina ( is a state in the southern region ( Deep South) of the United States of America. oreophila in Alabama, Georgia and North Carolina. Alabama (formally the State of Alabama;) is a State located in the southern region of the United States of America. The State of Georgia ( is a state in the United States and was one of the original Thirteen Colonies that revolted against British rule North Carolina ( is a state located on the Atlantic Seaboard in the southeastern United States These taxa are also on CITES Appendix I, giving them international protection by making export of wild-collected plants illegal. CITES (the United Nations Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement between governments drafted The other species, while appearing on CITES Appendix II, have little federal protection. CITES (the United Nations Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement between governments drafted

Some efforts have been made to curb the existing threats to plants. In 2003 the International Carnivorous Plant Society (ICPS) ran a trial distribution program in which young S. rubra ssp. alabamanensis plants were grown from seed collected from 3 of the 12 known S. Sarracenia rubra, also known as the Sweet pitcher plant, is a Carnivorous plant in the Genus Sarracenia. alabamanensis sites, and were distributed to members in an attempt to increase availability of this plant in cultivation, with the hopes of thereby decreasing the poaching that was endangering the survival of this taxa in the wild.

In 1995, the non-profit organization Meadowview Biological Research Station was created to preserve and restore pitcher plant wetlands and associated ecosystems in Maryland and Virginia. A non-profit organization ( abbreviated "NPO" also "not-for-profit" is a legally constituted Organization whose objective is to support or engage The Commonwealth of Virginia ( is an American state Most pitcher plant habitats have been destroyed in this critical mid-Atlantic region to the point that less than 100 yellow pitchers plants were left in just two natural sites in southern Virginia by 2007. ^[6] Meadowview worked to deal with, and reverse, the process of extirpation of local and regional pitcher plants habitats, flora, and fauna. To date Meadowview has protected a total of six native Virginia yellow pitcher plant populations on its preserve (4 having been extirpated in the past ten years) and has also reintroduced two populations of the federally endangered mountain sweet pitcher plant to its historic range in North Carolina. The two reintroduced mountain sweet pitcher plant sites include the Biltmore Estate, under a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Grant, and Falling Creek Camp for Boys. ^[7][8]

Meadowview has also successfully purchased a 100-acre (0. 40 km²) preserve in southern Virginia called the Joseph Pines Preserve, which is dedicated to preserving the native Virginia longleaf pine/pitcher plant ecosystem. A total of 18 indigenous, rare plant species are being reintroduced on the property as part of an integrated ecosystem restoration. The group also aims to capture the entire native Virginia longleaf pine germplasm on this property. ^[9]

In 2004, a number of concerned plant enthusiasts founded the North American Sarracenia Conservancy (NASC), which aims to "serve as a living record of the taxonomic, morphological and genetic diversity of the genus Sarracenia for purposes of conservation and cultivation. " The NASC is a grassroots Nebraska nonprofit organization working to build a genetic Sarracenia bank by overseeing the maintenance of genetic strains from all remaining wild populations in cultivation, with the eventual aim of being able to supply these strains for re-introduction in suitable habitats. A similar but centralized collection exists in the UK, with 2000+ clones representing all species (many with location data) and numerous hybrids currently being housed by Sarracenia expert Mike King. This UK collection is part of the NCCPG National Plant Collection scheme. The NCCPG National Plant Collection scheme is the main conservation vehicle whereby the National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens (NCCPG can accomplish While none of these efforts curb the biggest threats - urban development and habitat destruction - they aim to help reduce plant poaching while at the same time making these plants available to future generations.

Classification

For a complete list of subspecies, varieties, and common hybrids, please see separate article List of Sarracenia species and hybrids. The following is a list of species belonging to the North American pitcher plant genus ( Sarracenia)

Sarracenia hybrid

The genus Sarracenia belongs to the family Sarraceniaceae, which also contain the closely allied genera Darlingtonia and Heliamphora. Sarraceniaceae is a family of Pitcher plants (along with Nepenthaceae) belonging to order Ericales (previously Nepenthales) The genus Heliamphora (hiːliːæmfɔːɹə/ or /hɛliːæmfɔːɹə from Greek: helos = Marsh, amphoreus = Amphora Under the Cronquist system, this family was put in the order Nepenthales along with Nepenthaceae and Droseraceae. A system of plant taxonomy, the Cronquist system is a scheme for the classification of flowering plants (or Angiosperms) Nepenthales is a Botanical name for an order of Flowering plants. The Nepenthes (nəˈpɛnθiːz from Greek: ne = not penthos = grief sorrow named after the ancient drug Nepenthe) popularly Droseraceae is the Botanical name for a family of Flowering plants. The APG II system, however, assigns Sarraceniaceae to the order Ericales and the other two to the order Caryophyllales. The Ericales are a large and diverse order of Dicotyledons including for example Tea, Persimmon, Blueberry, Brazil nut, and Caryophyllales is an order of Flowering plants that includes the cacti, carnations Amaranths Ice plants and most

There are generally reckoned to be 9 species of Sarracenia, although this figure is disputed, with some authorities splitting the various subspecies and forms of S. rubra into anything from 3 to 5 true species. Similarly, S. rosea is still commonly recognised as a variety of S. purpurea subsp. venosa, not a separate species. The freedom with which Sarracenia species hybridise and produce fertile and viable offspring makes classification based on naïve biological species concepts somewhat fraught. In Biology, a species is one of the basic units of Biological classification and a Taxonomic rank. The 9 currently recognized species are:

• Sarracenia alata : Pale pitcher plant
• Sarracenia flava : Yellow pitcher plant
• Sarracenia leucophylla : White pitcher plant
• Sarracenia minor : Hooded pitcher plant
• Sarracenia oreophila : Green pitcher plant
• Sarracenia psittacina : Parrot pitcher plant
• Sarracenia purpurea : Purple pitcher plant
• Sarracenia rosea : Rose pitcher plant
• Sarracenia rubra : Sweet pitcher plant

It was previously the case that many more species were named, due to the ease with which they hybridize. Sarracenia alata, also known as the Pale pitcher plant or Pale trumpet, is a Carnivorous plant in the Genus Sarracenia Sarracenia flava, the Yellow pitcher plant, is a Carnivorous plant in the family Sarraceniaceae. Sarracenia leucophylla, also known as the White pitcher plant, is a Carnivorous plant in the Genus Sarracenia. Sarracenia minor, also known as the Hooded pitcher plant, is a Carnivorous plant in the Genus Sarracenia. Sarracenia oreophila, also known as the Green Pitcher Plant, is a Carnivorous plant in the Genus Sarracenia. Sarracenia psittacina, also known as the Parrot pitcher plant, is a Carnivorous plant in the Genus Sarracenia. Sarracenia purpurea, commonly known as the Purple pitcher plant or Side-saddle flower, is a Carnivorous plant in the family Sarraceniaceae Sarracenia rosea is a newly named species that was formally known as S Sarracenia rubra, also known as the Sweet pitcher plant, is a Carnivorous plant in the Genus Sarracenia. An unusual feature of Sarracenia is that their hybrid offspring are all fertile and able to hybridise further – giving the possibility of hundreds of different hybrids that have multiple species in varying amounts in their ancestry. Since many species ranges overlap, hybrids in the wild were relatively common. As a result, initial classification included many of these hybrids as separate species. Many hybrids of Sarracenia are still commonly referred to by their obsolete species names, particularly in horticulture. These hybrids are all popularly cultivated by carnivorous plant enthusiasts, and there are consequently a huge number of hybrids and cultivars, most bred for showy pitchers. S. × catesbaei is the very common cross between S. flava and S. purpurea. Sarracenia flava, the Yellow pitcher plant, is a Carnivorous plant in the family Sarraceniaceae. Sarracenia purpurea, commonly known as the Purple pitcher plant or Side-saddle flower, is a Carnivorous plant in the family Sarraceniaceae Many of these hybrids occur naturally in the wild.

Several species have subspecies or recognized varieties. The International Carnivorous Plant Society (ICPS) formally recognizes a number of cultivars as well. See the complete list for a listing of species including these taxa. The following is a list of species belonging to the North American pitcher plant genus ( Sarracenia)

Currently, S. rubra has five recognized subspecies. Sarracenia rubra, also known as the Sweet pitcher plant, is a Carnivorous plant in the Genus Sarracenia. However, it is arguably a complex of several species and subspecies (including S. rubra (senso stricto), S. gulfensis, S. wherryi, S. jonesii, and S. alabamensis).

Botanical history

First illustration of a Sarracenia from L'Obel's Stirpium Adversaria Nova, 1576

Sarracenia were discovered as early as the 16th century, within a century of Christopher Columbus' discovery of the New World. Matthias de L'Obel or Matthaeus Lobelius (1538 &ndash March 3 1616) was born in Lille. Christopher Columbus (1451 &ndash May 20 1506 was an Italian Navigator, colonizer The New World is one of the names used for the non-Eurasian/non-African parts of the Earth specifically the Americas and Australia. L'Obel included an illustration of S. minor in his Stirpium Adversaria Nova in 1576. Matthias de L'Obel or Matthaeus Lobelius (1538 &ndash March 3 1616) was born in Lille. Sarracenia minor, also known as the Hooded pitcher plant, is a Carnivorous plant in the Genus Sarracenia. ^[10] The first description and plate of a Sarracenia to show up in botanical literature was published by Carolus Clusius, who received a partial dried specimen of what was later determined to be S. purpurea subsp. purpurea, publishing it under the name Limonium peregrinum. Sarracenia purpurea, commonly known as the Purple pitcher plant or Side-saddle flower, is a Carnivorous plant in the family Sarraceniaceae Sea-lavender (also Sea Lavender, Sealavender) or Statice is any of 120 species of Flowers in the Genus Limonium The exact origins of this specimen remains unknown, as few explorers are known to have collected plant specimens from the range of this subspecies before that time. Cheek and Young suggest that the most likely source is Cartier's expeditions to what is now Quebec between 1534 and 1541. Jacques Cartier (December 31 1491&ndashSeptember 1 1557 was a French explorer who claimed what is now Canada for France ^[10] The fragile flowerless specimen that made its way to Clusius 60 years later was enough to excite his interest, but not enough for him to place it among related plants; his closest guess was the wholly unrelated Sea Lavender genus. Sea-lavender (also Sea Lavender, Sealavender) or Statice is any of 120 species of Flowers in the Genus Limonium

The name Sarracenia was first employed by Michel Sarrazin, the Father of Canadian Botany who in the late 17th century sent live specimens of S. purpurea to the Parisian botanist Joseph Pitton de Tournefort, who thereupon described the species. Michel Sarrazin ( 5 September 1659; 8 September 1734) was an early Canadian Scientist and naturalist. Sarracenia purpurea, commonly known as the Purple pitcher plant or Side-saddle flower, is a Carnivorous plant in the family Sarraceniaceae Joseph Pitton de Tournefort ( 5 June, 1656 — 28 December, 1708) was a French Botanist, notable as the first to make a clear Linnaeus adopted this name when he published his Species Plantarum (1753), using it for the two known species at the time: Sarracenia purpurea and Sarracenia flava. Carl Linnaeus (Latinized as Carolus Linnaeus, also known after his ennoblement as, May 23 new style (13 May old style 1707 who laid the foundations for Species Plantarum ("The Species of Plants" was first published in 1753, as a two-volume work by Carl Linnaeus. Sarracenia purpurea, commonly known as the Purple pitcher plant or Side-saddle flower, is a Carnivorous plant in the family Sarraceniaceae Sarracenia flava, the Yellow pitcher plant, is a Carnivorous plant in the family Sarraceniaceae. The first successful flowering in culture occurred in 1773. In 1793 William Bartram noted in his book about his travels in the southeast U. William Bartram ( April 20, 1739 — July 22, 1823) was an American naturalist, the son of John Bartram. S. that numerous insects were caught in the pitchers of these plants, but doubted that any benefit could be derived from them. ^[11] It was not until 1887 that research by Dr. Joseph H. Melichamp proved the carnivorous nature of this genus. This finding was supported by a study by J. S. Hepburn, E. Q. St. John and F. M. Jones in 1920. ^[12] Extended field surveys and laboratory studies by Dr. Edgar Wherry in the 1930s greatly increased the knowledge of this genus, which has further been extended by the more recent works of Dr. C. Ritchie Bell (1949-52), Dr. Donald E. Schnell (1970-2002) and Mr. Frederick W. Case (1970s and the treatment in Flora of North America to be published in 2008). ^[11]

Cultivation

Sarracenia are considered easy to grow and are widely propagated and cultivated by gardeners and carnivorous plant enthusiasts. Several hybrids between the very hardy S. purpurea and showy varieties like S. leucophylla are becoming common in garden centres in North America and Europe. Sarracenia purpurea, commonly known as the Purple pitcher plant or Side-saddle flower, is a Carnivorous plant in the family Sarraceniaceae Sarracenia leucophylla, also known as the White pitcher plant, is a Carnivorous plant in the Genus Sarracenia.

Sarracenia require constantly moist-wet, nutrient free acidic soil. This is most often achieved with a potting mix consisting of peat moss mixed with sand or perlite. As their roots are sensitive to nutrients and minerals, only pure water, such as distilled, rain, or RO water, can be used to water them. Sarracenia prefer sunny conditions during their growing season but require a dormancy period, with decreased light and temperatures, of a few months in the winter.

Propagation

A 2-year-old S. alata seedling, with 1st yr. (small) and 2nd yr. (larger) pitchers

Sarracenia do not self-pollinate and therefore require hand pollination or access to natural pollinators such as bees. Sarracenia pollen remains potent for several weeks when refrigerated, and so is stored by cultivators and used to pollinate later-flowering species. Given that all Sarracenia hybrids are fertile and will hybridize further, this characteristic allows cultivators to produce a limitless number of variants through hybridization.

A Sarracenia rhizome with several growing points, ready for division

The copious seeds produced store well if kept dry. In climates or seasons that cannot provide the cold, damp period of stratification required by the seeds for germination, growers mimic this condition by placing the seeds in a refrigerator for 4-8 weeks. The seeds are sown on the surface of their substrate and germinate when transferred to warmer, bright conditions. Sarracenia seedlings all look alike for the first two or three years; the plants reach maturity after four or five years. Regular fertilization (twice a month between April and September) with a balanced fertilizer at the rate of 1 teaspoon per gallon (using a 15-16-17 peat-lite or sililar fertilizer) will speed their growth and time to maturity. It is advisable to leach regularly with pure water to prevent the buildup of solutes (fertilizer salts) in the soil. Avoid keeping potted plants sitting in deep water as this keeps the soil too waterlogged and provides a root environment not conducive to proper root functioning.

Mature Sarracenia are commonly propagated by division. Their rhizomes extend and produce new crowns of pitchers over the course of a few growing seasons, and cultivators divide and separate the rhizomes during the plant's winter dormancy or early in the growing season. This technique is also used to separate sections of rhizomes which have no pitchers: when re-potted, the section usually generates a new crown of pitchers. A further technique is employed to encourage new crowns to appear which does not involve division of the rhizome: small notches up to 5 mm deep are cut into the top of the rhizome, whereupon a new crown frequently develops at the site of the notch.

Further reading

• Schnell, Donald E. 2002. Carnivorous Plants of the United States and Canada. Portland. ISBN 0-88192-540-3
• D’Amato, Peter. 1998. The Savage Garden. Berkeley. ISBN 0-89815-915-6

References

External links

• The International Carnivorous Plant Society
• Meadowview Biological Research Station
• North American Sarracenia Conservancy
• Botanical Society of America, Sarracenia - the Pitcher Plants