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''Sarracenia'' ( or ) is a
genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial nom ...
comprising 8 to 11
species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriat ...
of North American pitcher plants, commonly called trumpet pitchers. The genus belongs to the family Sarraceniaceae, which also contain the closely allied genera '' Darlingtonia'' and '' Heliamphora''. ''Sarracenia'' is a genus of
carnivorous plant Carnivorous plants are plants that derive some or most of their nutrients from trapping and consuming animals or protozoans, typically insects and other arthropods. Carnivorous plants still generate some of their energy from photosynthesis ...
s indigenous to the eastern seaboard of the United States,
Texas Texas (, ; Spanish: ''Texas'', ''Tejas'') is a state in the South Central region of the United States. At 268,596 square miles (695,662 km2), and with more than 29.1 million residents in 2020, it is the second-largest U.S. state by ...
, the
Great Lakes The Great Lakes, also called the Great Lakes of North America, are a series of large interconnected freshwater lakes in the mid-east region of North America that connect to the Atlantic Ocean via the Saint Lawrence River. There are five lakes ...
area and southeastern Canada, with most species occurring only in the south-east
United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country Continental United States, primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 U.S. state, states, a Washington, D.C., ...
(only '' S. purpurea'' occurs in cold-temperate regions). The plant's leaves have
evolved Evolution is change in the heritable characteristics of biological populations over successive generations. These characteristics are the expressions of genes, which are passed on from parent to offspring during reproduction. Variati ...
into a funnel or pitcher shape in order to trap
insect Insects (from Latin ') are pancrustacean hexapod invertebrates of the class Insecta. They are the largest group within the arthropod phylum. Insects have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body ( head, thorax and abdomen), three pa ...
s. The plant attracts its insect
prey Predation is a biological interaction where one organism, the predator, kills and eats another organism, its prey. It is one of a family of common feeding behaviours that includes parasitism and micropredation (which usually do not kill ...
with secretions from
extrafloral nectaries Nectar is a sugar-rich liquid produced by plants in glands called nectaries or nectarines, either within the flowers with which it attracts pollinating animals, or by extrafloral nectaries, which provide a nutrient source to animal mutualis ...
on the lip of the pitcher leaves, as well as a combination of the leaves' color and scent. Slippery footing at the pitcher's rim, causes insects to fall inside, where they die and are digested by the plant with
protease A protease (also called a peptidase, proteinase, or proteolytic enzyme) is an enzyme that catalyzes (increases reaction rate or "speeds up") proteolysis, breaking down proteins into smaller polypeptides or single amino acids, and spurring the ...
s and other enzymes.


Description

''Sarracenia'' are
herbaceous Herbaceous plants are vascular plants that have no persistent woody stems above ground. This broad category of plants includes many perennials, and nearly all annuals and biennials. Definitions of "herb" and "herbaceous" The fourth edition o ...
perennial plant A perennial plant or simply perennial is a plant that lives more than two years. The term ('' per-'' + '' -ennial'', "through the years") is often used to differentiate a plant from shorter-lived annuals and biennials. The term is also wide ...
s that grow from a subterranean
rhizome In botany and dendrology, a rhizome (; , ) is a modified subterranean plant stem that sends out roots and shoots from its nodes. Rhizomes are also called creeping rootstalks or just rootstalks. Rhizomes develop from axillary buds and grow ...
, with many tubular pitcher-shaped leaves radiating out from the growing point, and then turning upwards with their trap openings facing the center of the crown. 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 Peristome (from the Greek ''peri'', meaning 'around' or 'about', and ''stoma'', 'mouth') is an anatomical feature that surrounds an opening to an organ or structure. Some plants, fungi, and shelled gastropods have peristomes. In mosses In mosse ...
) which secretes nectar and scents. The hood itself frequently produces nectar too, but in lesser quantities. The inside of the pitcher tube, depending on the 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. Each of these zones has a specific function, with corresponding morphophysiological characteristics. *Zone 1: ''Operculum''. In most species the operculum covers at least part of the pitcher has an opening, preventing rain from excessively filling the pitcher, which would result in the loss of prey and dilute the digestive fluid. The operculum also serves to guide prey to the pitcher opening, using a combination of color, scent, and downward-pointing hairs to lead insects toward the trap entrance. Some species, specifically '' S. minor'' and '' S. psittacina'', have opercula that hang low over the pitcher entrance. These are also studded with
chlorophyll Chlorophyll (also chlorophyl) is any of several related green pigments found in cyanobacteria and in the chloroplasts of algae and plants. Its name is derived from the Greek words , ("pale green") and , ("leaf"). Chlorophyll allow plants to ...
-free patches,
translucent In the field of optics, transparency (also called pellucidity or diaphaneity) is the physical property of allowing light to pass through the material without appreciable scattering of light. On a macroscopic scale (one in which the dimensions ...
"windows" which confuse prey into attempting to fly through the operculum, thereby causing them to cascade down the pitcher tube. (A similar, better-developed mechanism is found in the closely related ''
Darlingtonia californica ''Darlingtonia californica'' , also called the California pitcher plant, cobra lily, or cobra plant, is a species of carnivorous plant. It is the sole member of the genus ''Darlingtonia'' in the family Sarraceniaceae. This pitcher plant is nat ...
''). *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
gland In animals, a gland is a group of cells in an animal's body that synthesizes substances (such as hormones) for release into the bloodstream (endocrine gland) or into cavities inside the body or its outer surface (exocrine gland). Structure De ...
s, which secrete digestive
enzyme Enzymes () are proteins that act as biological catalysts by accelerating chemical reactions. The molecules upon which enzymes may act are called substrates, and the enzyme converts the substrates into different molecules known as products ...
s into the digestive fluid. *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 Bacteria (; singular: bacterium) are ubiquitous, mostly free-living organisms often consisting of one biological cell. They constitute a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. Typically a few micrometres in length, bacteria were am ...
in the pitcher fluid. 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 Glabrousness (from the Latin '' glaber'' meaning "bald", "hairless", "shaved", "smooth") is the technical term for a lack of hair, down, setae, trichomes or other such covering. A glabrous surface may be a natural characteristic of all or part of ...
, lacks glands, and does not serve as an absorptive zone. 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 color, 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, waxy deposits (to clog insect feet) and gravity to topple insect prey into their pitcher. Once inside, the insect finds the footing very slippery with a waxy surface covering 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. Only ''S. purpurea'' normally contains significant amounts of 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. ''S. psittacina'', the parrot pitcher, uses a lobster-pot style trap that will admit prey (including
tadpole A tadpole is the larval stage in the biological life cycle of an amphibian. Most tadpoles are fully aquatic, though some species of amphibians have tadpoles that are terrestrial. Tadpoles have some fish-like features that may not be found ...
s 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.


Potential narcotic function of coniine

Coniine Coniine is a poisonous chemical compound, an alkaloid present in and isolable from poison hemlock (''Conium maculatum''), where its presence has been a source of significant economic, medical, and historico-cultural interest; coniine is also produ ...
, a toxic
alkaloid Alkaloids are a class of basic, naturally occurring organic compounds that contain at least one nitrogen atom. This group also includes some related compounds with neutral and even weakly acidic properties. Some synthetic compounds of simila ...
also present in poison hemlock, was first detected in the
nectar Nectar is a sugar-rich liquid produced by plants in glands called nectaries or nectarines, either within the flowers with which it attracts pollinating animals, or by extrafloral nectaries, which provide a nutrient source to animal mutualist ...
of '' S. flava''. and has since been detected in 7 other species of ''Sarracenia''. While it was demonstrated that concentrated extracts from ''S. flava'' could paralyze ants, it has not been demonstrated that coniine has narcotic effects on insects at the concentrations naturally present in pitchers of ''S. flava''. Other authors hypothesize that coniine may function as an attractant for insects, or may function both as an attractant and a narcotic.


Flowers and seeds

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
pollinator A pollinator is an animal that moves pollen from the male anther of a flower to the female stigma of a flower. This helps to bring about fertilization of the ovules in the flower by the male gametes from the pollen grains. Insects are the m ...
s. The flowers, which depending on species are 3–10 centimeters in diameter, are dramatic and have an elaborate design which prevents self-pollination. It consists of five
sepal A sepal () is a part of the flower of angiosperms (flowering plants). Usually green, sepals typically function as protection for the flower in bud, and often as support for the petals when in bloom., p. 106 The term ''sepalum'' was coine ...
s superintended by three
bract In botany, a bract is a modified or specialized leaf, especially one associated with a reproductive structure such as a flower, inflorescence axis or cone scale. Bracts are usually different from foliage leaves. They may be smaller, larger, or o ...
s, numerous anthers, and an
umbrella An umbrella or parasol is a folding canopy supported by wooden or metal ribs that is usually mounted on a wooden, metal, or plastic pole. It is designed to protect a person against rain or sunlight. The term ''umbrella'' is traditionally use ...
-like five-pointed
style Style is a manner of doing or presenting things and may refer to: * Architectural style, the features that make a building or structure historically identifiable * Design, the process of creating something * Fashion, a prevailing mode of clothing ...
, over which five long yellow or red
petal Petals are modified leaves that surround the reproductive parts of flowers. They are often brightly colored or unusually shaped to attract pollinators. All of the petals of a flower are collectively known as the ''corolla''. Petals are usuall ...
s dangle. The whole flower is held upside-down, so that the umbrella-like style catches the
pollen Pollen is a powdery substance produced by seed plants. It consists of pollen grains (highly reduced microgametophytes), which produce male gametes (sperm cells). Pollen grains have a hard coat made of sporopollenin that protects the gametop ...
dropped by the
anther The stamen (plural ''stamina'' or ''stamens'') is the pollen-producing reproductive organ of a flower. Collectively the stamens form the androecium., p. 10 Morphology and terminology A stamen typically consists of a stalk called the filam ...
s. The stigmas are located at the tips of the umbrella-like style. The primary pollinators are
bee Bees are winged insects closely related to wasps and ants, known for their roles in pollination and, in the case of the best-known bee species, the western honey bee, for producing honey. Bees are a monophyletic lineage within the superfami ...
s. Bees searching for
nectar Nectar is a sugar-rich liquid produced by plants in glands called nectaries or nectarines, either within the flowers with which it attracts pollinating animals, or by extrafloral nectaries, which provide a nutrient source to animal mutualist ...
must force their way past one of the stigmas to enter the chamber formed by the style. 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. Floral formula: Ca5 Co5 A G(5) The flowers of almost all species are scented. The scent varies, but is often strong and sometimes unpleasant. ''S. flava'' has an especially strong odor resembling cat
urine Urine is a liquid by-product of metabolism in humans and in many other animals. Urine flows from the kidneys through the ureters to the urinary bladder. Urination results in urine being excreted from the body through the urethra. Cellul ...
. 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. On average, 300–600 seed are produced, 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. ''Sarracenia'' seed requires a stratification period to germinate in large numbers. 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. Since the supply of insects during winter is decreased, and the onset of cold weather slows plant
metabolism Metabolism (, from el, μεταβολή ''metabolē'', "change") is the set of life-sustaining chemical reactions in organisms. The three main functions of metabolism are: the conversion of the energy in food to energy available to run ...
and other processes, putting energy into producing carnivorous leaves would be uneconomical for the plant.


Genetics

The genus has been found to have a
Chromosome number Ploidy () is the number of complete sets of chromosomes in a cell, and hence the number of possible alleles for autosomal and pseudoautosomal genes. Sets of chromosomes refer to the number of maternal and paternal chromosome copies, respectivel ...
of ''2n''=26, though some earlier studies had found that number to be ''2n''=24.


Range and habitat

Seven of the eight species are confined to the south-eastern coastal plain of the
United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country Continental United States, primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 U.S. state, states, a Washington, D.C., ...
. One species, ''S. purpurea'', continues north and west well into
Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by to ...
. The typical habitat is warm-temperate; all ''Sarracenia'' are
perennial A perennial plant or simply perennial is a plant that lives more than two years. The term ('' per-'' + '' -ennial'', "through the years") is often used to differentiate a plant from shorter-lived annuals and biennials. The term is also widel ...
and require a distinct summer and winter. A few subspecies or varieties (''S. rubra'' subsp. ''alabamensis'', ''S. rubra'' subsp. ''jonesii'', and ''S. purpurea'' var. ''montana'') can be found more inland in mountains (e.g. the
Appalachian mountains The Appalachian Mountains, often called the Appalachians, (french: Appalaches), are a system of mountains in eastern to northeastern North America. The Appalachians first formed roughly 480 million years ago during the Ordovician Period. The ...
). ''Sarracenia'' tend to inhabit
fen A fen is a type of peat-accumulating wetland fed by mineral-rich ground or surface water. It is one of the main types of wetlands along with marshes, swamps, and bogs. Bogs and fens, both peat-forming ecosystems, are also known as mires ...
s, herb bogs, and seasonally wet grasslands. These habitats tend to be acidic (low pH) with soil made up of sand and ''
Sphagnum ''Sphagnum'' is a genus of approximately 380 accepted species of mosses, commonly known as sphagnum moss, peat moss, also bog moss and quacker moss (although that term is also sometimes used for peat). Accumulations of ''Sphagnum'' can store wa ...
''
moss Mosses are small, non-vascular flowerless plants in the taxonomic division Bryophyta (, ) '' sensu stricto''. Bryophyta ('' sensu lato'', Schimp. 1879) may also refer to the parent group bryophytes, which comprise liverworts, mosses, and ...
. Frequently, the soil will be poor in nutrients, particularly
nitrate Nitrate is a polyatomic ion with the chemical formula . Salts containing this ion are called nitrates. Nitrates are common components of fertilizers and explosives. Almost all inorganic nitrates are soluble in water. An example of an insolu ...
s, and often continuously leached by moving water or made unavailable to the plant roots by the low pH. 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. ''Sarracenia'' habitats in the southeastern Coastal Plain consist primarily of fire-maintained pine savannas, wet prairies, or seepage bogs. Without frequent fire (1–3 years), these habitats undergo ecological succession and are quickly invaded by woody shrubs and trees, which eliminate ''Sarracenia'' by increasing shade and reducing soil moisture. In several cases, carnivorous plant enthusiasts have introduced ''S. purpurea'' into suitable habitats outside of its natural range, where it has naturalized. Some of these populations are decades old; the oldest known occurrence in the Swiss
Jura mountains The Jura Mountains ( , , , ; french: Massif du Jura; german: Juragebirge; it, Massiccio del Giura, rm, Montagnas da Jura) are a sub-alpine mountain range a short distance north of the Western Alps and mainly demarcate a long part of the Fre ...
is around one hundred years old. Besides
Switzerland ). Swiss law does not designate a ''capital'' as such, but the federal parliament and government are installed in Bern, while other federal institutions, such as the federal courts, are in other cities (Bellinzona, Lausanne, Luzern, Neuchâtel ...
, such naturalized populations can be found in
Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel, the Irish Sea, and St George's Channel. Ireland is the s ...
,
England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe ...
(Lake District), Germany (
Bavaria Bavaria ( ; ), officially the Free State of Bavaria (german: Freistaat Bayern, link=no ), is a state in the south-east of Germany. With an area of , Bavaria is the largest German state by land area, comprising roughly a fifth of the total l ...
,
Lusatia Lusatia (german: Lausitz, pl, Łużyce, hsb, Łužica, dsb, Łužyca, cs, Lužice, la, Lusatia, rarely also referred to as Sorbia) is a historical region in Central Europe, split between Germany and Poland. Lusatia stretches from the Bóbr ...
) and in
Mendocino County Mendocino County (; ''Mendocino'', Spanish for "of Mendoza) is a county located on the North Coast of the U.S. state of California. As of the 2020 census, the population was 91,601. The county seat is Ukiah. Mendocino County consists whol ...
along the
California California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the m ...
coast.


Environmental status

''Sarracenia'' are threatened in the wild by development and the drainage of their
habitat In ecology, the term habitat summarises the array of resources, physical and biotic factors that are present in an area, such as to support the survival and reproduction of a particular species. A species habitat can be seen as the physical ...
. Estimates indicated that 97.5% of ''Sarracenia'' habitat has already been destroyed in the southeastern U.S.,Groves, M., ed. 1993. Horticulture, Trade and Conservation of the Genus ''Sarracenia'' in the Southeastern States of America: Proceedings of a Meeting Held at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, September 22–23, 1993, 17pp. the home of all but one subspecies of ''Sarracenia''. Currently the biggest threats to surviving populations are
urban development Urban means "related to a city". In that sense, the term may refer to: * Urban area, geographical area distinct from rural areas * Urban culture, the culture of towns and cities Urban may also refer to: General * Urban (name), a list of peop ...
, drainage of habitat for
forestry Forestry is the science and craft of creating, managing, planting, using, conserving and repairing forests, woodlands, and associated resources for human and environmental benefits. Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands. ...
, runoff of
herbicide Herbicides (, ), also commonly known as weedkillers, are substances used to control undesired plants, also known as weeds.EPA. February 201Pesticides Industry. Sales and Usage 2006 and 2007: Market Estimates. Summary in press releasMain page f ...
s from
agriculture Agriculture or farming is the practice of cultivating plants and livestock. Agriculture was the key development in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that enabled people ...
, fire suppression, cut pitcher trade for
floristry Floristry is the production, commerce, and trade in flowers. It encompasses flower care and handling, floral design and arrangement, merchandising, production, display and flower delivery. Wholesale florists sell bulk flowers and related su ...
, and plant trade.Robbins, C. S. 1998. Examination of the U.S. Pitcher-plant Trade With a Focus on the White-topped Pitcher-plant. Traffic Bulletin. Excerpts, Vol. 17, No. 2 (June 1998) 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. Some protective
legislation Legislation is the process or result of enrolling, enacting, or promulgating laws by a legislature, parliament, or analogous governing body. Before an item of legislation becomes law it may be known as a bill, and may be broadly referred to ...
exists. Several southeastern states, such as
Florida Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, and ...
,
Georgia Georgia most commonly refers to: * Georgia (country), a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia * Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the Southeast United States Georgia may also refer to: Places Historical states and entities * Related to the ...
, and
South Carolina )''Animis opibusque parati'' ( for, , Latin, Prepared in mind and resources, links=no) , anthem = " Carolina";" South Carolina On My Mind" , Former = Province of South Carolina , seat = Columbia , LargestCity = Charleston , LargestMetro = ...
have
conservation Conservation is the preservation or efficient use of resources, or the conservation of various quantities under physical laws. Conservation may also refer to: Environment and natural resources * Nature conservation, the protection and manageme ...
laws which protect ''Sarracenia''. However, most of the remaining wetlands in the southeastern U.S. are privately owned. Plants on this land are not protected by state legislation. The key states of
Alabama (We dare defend our rights) , anthem = " Alabama" , image_map = Alabama in United States.svg , seat = Montgomery , LargestCity = Huntsville , LargestCounty = Baldwin County , LargestMetro = Greater Birmingham , area_total_km2 = 135,7 ...
and
Mississippi Mississippi () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States, bordered to the north by Tennessee; to the east by Alabama; to the south by the Gulf of Mexico; to the southwest by Louisiana; and to the northwest by Arkansas. Miss ...
have no such legislation at all, so that even plants on public land have no protection. Three ''Sarracenia'' have been listed as "Federally Endangered" under the USA
Endangered Species Act The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA or "The Act"; 16 U.S.C. § 1531 et seq.) is the primary law in the United States for protecting imperiled species. Designed to protect critically imperiled species from extinction as a "consequence of ec ...
(1973) – '' S. rubra'' subsp. ''alabamensis'' (''S. alabamensis'') in
Alabama (We dare defend our rights) , anthem = " Alabama" , image_map = Alabama in United States.svg , seat = Montgomery , LargestCity = Huntsville , LargestCounty = Baldwin County , LargestMetro = Greater Birmingham , area_total_km2 = 135,7 ...
, ''S. rubra'' subsp. ''jonesii'' (''S. jonesii'') in
North North is one of the four compass points or cardinal directions. It is the opposite of south and is perpendicular to east and west. ''North'' is a noun, adjective, or adverb indicating direction or geography. Etymology The word ''north ...
and
South Carolina )''Animis opibusque parati'' ( for, , Latin, Prepared in mind and resources, links=no) , anthem = " Carolina";" South Carolina On My Mind" , Former = Province of South Carolina , seat = Columbia , LargestCity = Charleston , LargestMetro = ...
, and '' S. oreophila'' in
Alabama (We dare defend our rights) , anthem = " Alabama" , image_map = Alabama in United States.svg , seat = Montgomery , LargestCity = Huntsville , LargestCounty = Baldwin County , LargestMetro = Greater Birmingham , area_total_km2 = 135,7 ...
,
Georgia Georgia most commonly refers to: * Georgia (country), a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia * Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the Southeast United States Georgia may also refer to: Places Historical states and entities * Related to the ...
, and
North Carolina North Carolina () is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. The state is the List of U.S. states and territories by area, 28th largest and List of states and territories of the United ...
. These taxa are also on
CITES CITES (shorter name for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, also known as the Washington Convention) is a multilateral treaty to protect endangered plants and animals from the threats of intern ...
Appendix I, giving them international protection by making export of wild-collected plants illegal. The other species, while appearing on
CITES CITES (shorter name for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, also known as the Washington Convention) is a multilateral treaty to protect endangered plants and animals from the threats of intern ...
Appendix II, have little federal protection. Some efforts have been made to curb the existing threats to plants. In 2003 the
International Carnivorous Plant Society The International Carnivorous Plant Society (ICPS) is a non-profit organization founded in 1972. It is the International Cultivar Registration Authority for carnivorous plants. As of June 2011, the society had around 1400 members. The ICPS is prob ...
ran a trial distribution program in which young ''S. rubra'' subsp. ''alabamanensis'' plants were grown from seed collected from 3 of the 12 known ''S. 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 taxon in the wild. In 1995, the
non-profit organization A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...
Meadowview Biological Research Station was created to preserve and restore pitcher plant bogs and associated ecosystems in
Maryland Maryland ( ) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It shares borders with Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware and the Atlantic Ocean t ...
and
Virginia Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States, between the Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains. The geography and climate of the Commonwealth are ...
. 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 The National Plant Collection scheme is the main conservation vehicle whereby the Plant Heritage charity (formerly the National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens) can accomplish its mission: to conserve, grow, propagate, docume ...
scheme. 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. One of the biggest challenges of reintroducing plants back into the wild is the unintended introduction of unwanted species, such as pests, diseases, and invasive weeds. Often, it is human destruction of areas in which the Sarracenia thrive that is a major killer. Aside from determining what genetic material is appropriate for reintroduction (which is up for debate), plants must be semi-aseptic to keep the habitat pristine and sustainable in the long term. Another challenge is maintaining all of the introduced plant material and determining an optimal site to plant them in. A single hurricane or storm event can change the dynamics of a field. Even within a single bog, some areas may be waterlogged, while other areas may become very dry, so identifying the right location is critical. Short term results on private property indicate planting larger specimens into the field have a higher chance of long-term survival compared to planting smaller seedlings.


Taxonomy

The genus ''Sarracenia'' belongs to the family Sarraceniaceae, which also contain the closely allied genera '' Darlingtonia'' and '' Heliamphora''. Under the
Cronquist system The Cronquist system is a taxonomic classification system of flowering plants. It was developed by Arthur Cronquist in a series of monographs and texts, including ''The Evolution and Classification of Flowering Plants'' (1968; 2nd edition, 1988) ...
, this family was put in the order
Nepenthales Nepenthales (Nepenthales Bercht. & J.Presl) is an order of carnivorous flowering plants in the Cronquist system of plant classification. Cronquist system The order was placed in the subclass Dilleniidae, which in the 1981 version of this s ...
along with Nepenthaceae and
Droseraceae Droseraceae is a family of carnivorous flowering plants, also known as the sundew family. It consists of approximately 180 species in three extant genera. Representatives of the Droseraceae are found on all continents except Antarctica. Desc ...
.Cronquist, Arthur. (1981). ''An integrated system of classification of flowering plants''. New York: Columbia University Press. The
APG II system The APG II system (Angiosperm Phylogeny Group II system) of plant classification is the second, now obsolete, version of a modern, mostly molecular-based, system of plant taxonomy that was published in April 2003 by the Angiosperm Phylogeny Gr ...
, however, assigns Sarraceniaceae to the order Ericales and the other two families to the order
Caryophyllales Caryophyllales ( ) is a diverse and heterogeneous order of flowering plants that includes the cacti, carnations, amaranths, ice plants, beets, and many carnivorous plants. Many members are succulent, having fleshy stems or leaves. The betalai ...
.Angiosperm Phylogeny Group. (2003)
An update of the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group classification for the orders and families of flowering plants: APG II
''Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society'', 141: 399–436.
Typically anywhere from 8 to 11 species of ''Sarracenia'' are generally recognized, depending on individual opinions on the
biological species concept The species problem is the set of questions that arises when biologists attempt to define what a species is. Such a definition is called a species concept; there are at least 26 recognized species concepts. A species concept that works well for se ...
and which among many
subspecies In biological classification, subspecies is a rank below species, used for populations that live in different areas and vary in size, shape, or other physical characteristics ( morphology), but that can successfully interbreed. Not all specie ...
and varieties should be elevated to species status, a common
lumping and splitting Lumpers and splitters are opposing factions in any discipline that has to place individual examples into rigorously defined categories. The lumper–splitter problem occurs when there is the desire to create classifications and assign examples to ...
problem in demarcation.Rice, Barry. (2008)
''Sarracenia'' species lists
Accessed: 10-10-2008.
Some authorities split the described subspecific taxa of ''S. rubra'' into 3 to 5 species. Similarly, ''S. rosea'' is not always recognized as a species distinct from ''S. purpurea''. The most commonly recognized species include: Currently, ''S. rubra'' can be described as having six subspecies, though it is sometimes argued that the subspecies should be elevated to species rank in recognition of the
species complex In biology, a species complex is a group of closely related organisms that are so similar in appearance and other features that the boundaries between them are often unclear. The taxa in the complex may be able to hybridize readily with each oth ...
that they are a part of. This division would yield ''S. alabamensis'', ''S. gulfensis'', ''S. jonesii'', ''S. rubra'' ''
sensu stricto ''Sensu'' is a Latin word meaning "in the sense of". It is used in a number of fields including biology, geology, linguistics, semiotics, and law. Commonly it refers to how strictly or loosely an expression is used in describing any particular c ...
'', ''S. viatorum'', and ''S. wherryi''. Others have argued that only some of these demand recognition at the species rank.Barthlott, W., S. Porembski, R. Seine, and I. Theisen. (2007). ''The Curious World of Carnivorous Plants''. Portland: Timber Press.


McPherson & Schnell (2011)

Stewart McPherson and Donald Schnell carried out a comprehensive taxonomic revision of the genus in their 2011
monograph A monograph is a specialist work of writing (in contrast to reference works) or exhibition on a single subject or an aspect of a subject, often by a single author or artist, and usually on a scholarly subject. In library cataloging, ''monogra ...
, ''Sarraceniaceae of North America''. They recognized the following taxa:McPherson, S. & D. Schnell 2011. ''Sarraceniaceae of North America''. Redfern Natural History Productions Ltd., Poole. *'' Sarracenia alata'' **''S. alata'' var. ''alata''(
autonym Autonym may refer to: * Autonym, the name used by a person to refer to themselves or their language; see Exonym and endonym * Autonym (botany), an automatically created infrageneric or infraspecific name See also * Nominotypical subspecies, in zo ...
)
***''S. alata'' var. ''alata'' f. ''viridescens''S.McPherson & D.E.Schnell **''S. alata'' var. ''atrorubra'' S.McPherson & D.E.Schnell **''S. alata'' var. ''cuprea''S.McPherson & D.E.Schnell **''S. alata'' var. ''nigropurpurea'' P.D'Amato ''ex'' S.McPherson & D.E.Schnell **''S. alata'' var. ''ornata''S.McPherson & D.E.Schnell **''S. alata'' var. ''rubrioperculata''S.McPherson & D.E.Schnell *''
Sarracenia flava ''Sarracenia flava'', the yellow pitcherplant, is a carnivorous plant in the family Sarraceniaceae. Like all the Sarraceniaceae, it is native to the New World. Its range extends from southern Alabama, through Florida and Georgia, to the coastal ...
'' **''S. flava'' var. ''flava''(
autonym Autonym may refer to: * Autonym, the name used by a person to refer to themselves or their language; see Exonym and endonym * Autonym (botany), an automatically created infrageneric or infraspecific name See also * Nominotypical subspecies, in zo ...
)
***''S. flava'' var. ''flava'' f. ''viridescens''S.McPherson & D.E.Schnell **''S. flava'' var. ''atropurpurea''(Hort. W.Bull ''ex'' Mast.) Hort. W.Bull ''ex'' W.Robinson **''S. flava'' var. ''cuprea''D.E.Schnell **''S. flava'' var. ''maxima''Hort. W.Bull ''ex'' Mast. **''S. flava'' var. ''ornata''Hort. Bull ''ex'' W.Robinson **''S. flava'' var. ''rubricorpora''D.E.Schnell **''S. flava'' var. ''rugelii''(Shuttlew. ''ex'' A.DC.) Mast. *''
Sarracenia leucophylla ''Sarracenia leucophylla'', also known as the crimson pitcherplant, purple trumpet-leaf or white pitcherplant, is a carnivorous plant in the genus ''Sarracenia''. Distribution Like all the sarracenias, it is native to North America. The specie ...
'' **''S. leucophylla'' var. ''leucophylla''(
autonym Autonym may refer to: * Autonym, the name used by a person to refer to themselves or their language; see Exonym and endonym * Autonym (botany), an automatically created infrageneric or infraspecific name See also * Nominotypical subspecies, in zo ...
)
***''S. leucophylla'' var. ''leucophylla'' f. ''viridescens''S.McPherson & D.E.Schnell **''S. leucophylla'' var. ''alba''(Hort. T.Baines ''ex'' R.Hogg & T.Moore) J.Pietropaolo & P.Pietropaolo ''ex'' S.McPherson & D.E.Schnell *'' Sarracenia minor'' **''S. minor'' var. ''minor''(
autonym Autonym may refer to: * Autonym, the name used by a person to refer to themselves or their language; see Exonym and endonym * Autonym (botany), an automatically created infrageneric or infraspecific name See also * Nominotypical subspecies, in zo ...
)
***''S. minor'' var. ''minor'' f. ''viridescens''S.McPherson & D.E.Schnell **''S. minor'' var. ''okefenokeensis''D.E.Schnell *'' Sarracenia oreophila'' **''S. oreophila'' var. ''oreophila''(
autonym Autonym may refer to: * Autonym, the name used by a person to refer to themselves or their language; see Exonym and endonym * Autonym (botany), an automatically created infrageneric or infraspecific name See also * Nominotypical subspecies, in zo ...
)
**''S. oreophila'' var. ''ornata''S.McPherson & D.E.Schnell *'' Sarracenia psittacina'' **''S. psittacina'' var. ''psittacina''(
autonym Autonym may refer to: * Autonym, the name used by a person to refer to themselves or their language; see Exonym and endonym * Autonym (botany), an automatically created infrageneric or infraspecific name See also * Nominotypical subspecies, in zo ...
)
***''S. psittacina'' var. ''psittacina'' f. ''viridescens''S.McPherson & D.E.Schnell **''S. psittacina'' var. ''okefenokeensis''S.McPherson & D.E.Schnell ***''S. psittacina'' var. ''okefenokeensis'' f. ''luteoviridis''S.McPherson & D.E.Schnell *''
Sarracenia purpurea ''Sarracenia purpurea'', the purple pitcher plant, northern pitcher plant, turtle socks, or side-saddle flower, is a carnivorous plant in the family Sarraceniaceae. Description Like other species of ''Sarracenia'', ''S. purpurea'' obtains most ...
'' **''S. purpurea'' subsp. ''purpurea''(
autonym Autonym may refer to: * Autonym, the name used by a person to refer to themselves or their language; see Exonym and endonym * Autonym (botany), an automatically created infrageneric or infraspecific name See also * Nominotypical subspecies, in zo ...
)
***''S. purpurea'' subsp. ''purpurea'' f. ''heterophylla''(Eaton) Fern. **''S. purpurea'' subsp. ''venosa''(Raf.) Wherry ***''S. purpurea'' subsp. ''venosa'' var. ''venosa''(
autonym Autonym may refer to: * Autonym, the name used by a person to refer to themselves or their language; see Exonym and endonym * Autonym (botany), an automatically created infrageneric or infraspecific name See also * Nominotypical subspecies, in zo ...
)
****''S. purpurea'' subsp. ''venosa'' var. ''venosa'' f. ''pallidiflora''S.McPherson & D.E.Schnell ***''S. purpurea'' subsp. ''venosa'' var. ''burkii''D.E.Schnell ****''S. purpurea'' subsp. ''venosa'' var. ''burkii'' f. ''luteola''R.L.Hanrahan & J.Miller ***''S. purpurea'' subsp. ''venosa'' var. ''montana''D.E.Schnell & R.O.Determann *''
Sarracenia rubra ''Sarracenia rubra'', also known as the sweet pitcherplant, or purple pitcherplant, is a carnivorous plant in the genus ''Sarracenia''. Like all ''Sarracenia'', it is native to the New World. Its range extends from southern Mississippi, through ...
'' **''S. rubra'' subsp. ''rubra''(
autonym Autonym may refer to: * Autonym, the name used by a person to refer to themselves or their language; see Exonym and endonym * Autonym (botany), an automatically created infrageneric or infraspecific name See also * Nominotypical subspecies, in zo ...
)
**''S. rubra'' subsp. ''alabamensis''(Case & R.B.Case) S.McPherson & D.E.Schnell **''S. rubra'' subsp. ''gulfensis''D.E.Schnell ***''S. rubra'' subsp. ''gulfensis'' f. ''luteoviridis''S.McPherson & D.E.Schnell **''S. rubra'' subsp. ''jonesii''(Wherry) Wherry ***''S. rubra'' subsp. ''jonesii'' f. ''viridescens''S.McPherson & D.E.Schnell **''S. rubra'' subsp. ''wherryi''(Case & R.B.Case) D.E.Schnell **''S. rubra'' "Incompletely diagnosed taxon from Georgia and South Carolina"( Undescribed, but see note below) Note: The entity McPherson and Schnell referred to as ''S. rubra'' "Incompletely diagnosed taxon from Georgia and South Carolina" has since been established as ''Sarracenia rubra'' subsp. viatorum B.Rice.


Hybrids

''Sarracenia'' species hybridize and produce fertile offspring freely, making proper classification difficult. ''Sarracenia'' hybrids are able to hybridize further, giving the possibility of hundreds of different hybrids that have multiple species in varying amounts in their ancestry. Since many species ranges overlap, natural hybrids are relatively common. As a result, initial classification included many of these hybrids as separate species. A recent census of the number of hybrids and cultivars of ''Sarracenia'' species revealed about 100 unique hybrids and cultivars in cultivation. 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. Some of the more common named hybrids include: * ''Sarracenia'' × ''catesbaei'' = ''S. flava'' × ''S. purpurea'' * ''Sarracenia'' × ''moorei'' = ''S. flava'' × ''S. leucophylla'' * ''Sarracenia'' × ''popei'' = ''S. flava'' × ''S. rubra'' * ''Sarracenia'' × ''harperi'' = ''S. flava'' × ''S. minor'' * ''Sarracenia'' × ''alava'' = ''S. flava'' × ''S. alata'' * ''Sarracenia'' × ''mitchelliana'' = ''S. purpurea'' × ''S. leucophylla'' * ''Sarracenia'' × ''exornata'' = ''S. purpurea'' × ''S. alata'' * ''Sarracenia'' × ''chelsonii'' = ''S. purpurea'' × ''S. rubra'' * ''Sarracenia'' × ''swaniana = ''S. purpurea'' × ''S. minor'' * ''Sarracenia'' × ''courtii'' = ''S. purpurea'' × ''S. psittacina'' * ''Sarracenia'' × ''pureophila'' = ''S. purpurea'' × ''S. oreophila'' * ''Sarracenia'' × ''readii'' = ''S. leucophylla'' × ''S. rubra'' * ''Sarracenia'' × '' farnhamii'' = ''S. leucophylla'' × ''S. rubra'' * ''Sarracenia'' × ''excellens'' = ''S. leucophylla'' × ''S. minor'' * ''Sarracenia'' × ''areolata'' = ''S. leucophylla'' × ''S. alata'' * ''Sarracenia'' × ''wrigleyana'' = ''S. leucophylla'' × ''S. psittacina'' * ''Sarracenia'' × ''ahlesii'' = ''S. alata'' × ''S. rubra'' * ''Sarracenia'' × ''rehderi'' = ''S. rubra'' × ''S. minor'' * ''Sarracenia'' × ''gilpini'' = ''S. rubra'' × ''S. psittacina'' * ''Sarracenia'' × ''formosa'' = ''S. minor'' × ''S. psittacina''


Botanical history

''Sarracenia'' were known to Europeans as early as the 16th century, within a century of
Christopher Columbus Christopher Columbus * lij, Cristoffa C(or)ombo * es, link=no, Cristóbal Colón * pt, Cristóvão Colombo * ca, Cristòfor (or ) * la, Christophorus Columbus. (; born between 25 August and 31 October 1451, died 20 May 1506) was a ...
' discovery of the
New World The term ''New World'' is often used to mean the majority of Earth's Western Hemisphere, specifically the Americas."America." ''The Oxford Companion to the English Language'' (). McArthur, Tom, ed., 1992. New York: Oxford University Press, p. ...
. L'Obel included an illustration of '' S. minor'' in his ''Stirpium Adversaria Nova'' in 1576. 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''. 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. 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. 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.
Linnaeus Carl Linnaeus (; 23 May 1707 – 10 January 1778), also known after his ennoblement in 1761 as Carl von Linné Blunt (2004), p. 171. (), was a Swedish botanist, zoologist, taxonomist, and physician who formalised binomial nomenclature, the ...
adopted this name when he published his ''
Species Plantarum ' (Latin for "The Species of Plants") is a book by Carl Linnaeus, originally published in 1753, which lists every species of plant known at the time, classified into genera. It is the first work to consistently apply binomial names and was the ...
'' (1753), using it for the two known species at the time: ''S. purpurea'' and ''S. flava''. The first successful flowering in culture occurred in 1773. In 1793
William Bartram William Bartram (April 20, 1739 – July 22, 1823) was an American botanist, ornithologist, natural historian and explorer. Bartram was the author of an acclaimed book, now known by the shortened title '' Bartram's Travels'', which chronicled ...
noted in his book about his travels in the southeast U.S. that numerous insects were caught in the pitchers of these plants, but doubted that any benefit could be derived from them. It was not until 1887 that research by Joseph H. Mellichamp 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. Extended field surveys and laboratory studies by Edgar Wherry in the 1930s greatly increased the knowledge of this genus, which has further been extended by the more recent works of C. Ritchie Bell (1949–52), Donald E. Schnell (1970–2002), Frederick W. Case (1970–2000s), and T. Lawrence Mellichamp (1980s-2000s).


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 species like '' S. leucophylla'' are becoming common in garden centers in North America and Europe. ''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
reverse osmosis Reverse osmosis (RO) is a water purification process that uses a partially permeable membrane to separate ions, unwanted molecules and larger particles from drinking water. In reverse osmosis, an applied pressure is used to overcome osmotic ...
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

''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. The copious seeds 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 2–6 weeks, depending on species. 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 similar 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. Deep water in a potted plant keeps the soil too waterlogged for 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.


AGM cultivars

The following have won the
Royal Horticultural Society The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), founded in 1804 as the Horticultural Society of London, is the UK's leading gardening charity. The RHS promotes horticulture through its five gardens at Wisley (Surrey), Hyde Hall (Essex), Harlow Carr (Nor ...
's
Award of Garden Merit The Award of Garden Merit (AGM) is a long-established annual award for plants by the British Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). It is based on assessment of the plants' performance under UK growing conditions. History The Award of Garden Merit ...
: *''Sarracenia'' 'Anna Carlisle' *''Sarracenia'' 'Colin Clayton' *''Sarracenia'' 'Dixie Lace' *''Sarracenia'' 'Jenny Helen' *''Sarracenia'' 'Juthatip Soper' *''Sarracenia'' 'Vogel' *''Sarracenia'' × ''catesbaei'' 'Violet' *''Sarracenia'' × ''mitchelliana'' 'Victoria Morley' *''Sarracenia'' × ''moorei'' 'Brooks's Hybrid'


See also

* North American Sarracenia Conservancy * Meadowview Biological Research Station


Notes

:a.Since McPherson & Schnell (2011) did not assign these
forms Form is the shape, visual appearance, or configuration of an object. In a wider sense, the form is the way something happens. Form also refers to: *Form (document), a document (printed or electronic) with spaces in which to write or enter data * ...
to any particular
variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...
, they are to be placed under the autonymous variety according to the
botanical code The ''International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants'' (ICN) is the set of rules and recommendations dealing with the formal botanical names that are given to plants, fungi and a few other groups of organisms, all those "trad ...
. :b.This combination had been published previously, but was only validated in McPherson and Schnell's 2011 monograph.


References


Further reading

* Schnell, Donald E. 2002. ''Carnivorous Plants of the United States and Canada''. Portland. * Schnell, Stewart McPherson, Donald E. (2011). ''Sarraceniaceae of North America''. Poole: Redfern Natural History Productions. .


External links


''Sarracenia'' Taxonomy
by Barry Rice
''Sarracenia'' – the Pitcher Plants
by the
Botanical Society of America The Botanical Society of America (BSA) represents professional and amateur botanists, researchers, educators and students in over 80 countries of the world. It functions as a United States nonprofit 501(c)(3) membership society. History The soc ...

''Sarracenia'' Growing Guide and Distribution Map
by Tom's Carnivores
Growing ''Sarracenia''
by the
International Carnivorous Plant Society The International Carnivorous Plant Society (ICPS) is a non-profit organization founded in 1972. It is the International Cultivar Registration Authority for carnivorous plants. As of June 2011, the society had around 1400 members. The ICPS is prob ...

The Inner World of ''Sarracenia''
by the John Innes Centre {{Taxonbar, from=Q161174 Carnivorous plants of North America Rhizomatous plants Ericales genera