10 Carnivorous Sarracenia purpurea spp. purpurea Seeds

Sarracenia purpurea spp. purpurea

Sarracenia purpurea is a fantastically strange carnivorous plant that is easy it grow. Mature plants produce 6-8 inch pitchers that grow horizontal in a rosette pattern, the pitchers curve upwards and wider toward the pitcher mouth. The purple pitcher has a unique hood that is vertical and open to catch rainwater. The colors range from bright yellow-green to deep purple with many red veins running throughout the pitchers. It produces solitary pink to dark red flowers on leafless 1-2 foot stems.

Sarracenia purpurea ssp. purpurea is the hardiest of all pitcher plants & can tolerate temperatures as low as -30 F degrees. The purple pitcher makes a great outdoor container plant; they do best when placed in bright sunlight.

Sarracenia are one of the most efficient of all carnivorous plants, consuming vast numbers of insects. They lure prey by secreting nectar around the lip of the pitcher; the nectar paralyses the insect and it falls into the tube. Sarracenia also have downward pointing hairs inside the pitcher that help keep its prey from escape. Once the insect reaches the bottom it is slowly dissolved and the plant absorbs the nutrient value.