I've seen them in stores,but never got one.TFS
Kathi

Thanks for these pics.

They are truly a "science fiction" kind of plant ;-)

Not quite, Howard. These types of pitcher plants (Nepenthes) actually produce/exude the liquid within their pitchers. Many actually produce some digestive enzymes as well, though bacterial action also takes place. While members of this genus are terrestrial with regards to where their roots are located, they are viners that will scramble along the ground and may even wind their way up into bushes/shrubs. At the end of the leaf is a tendril. And at the end of that tendril -- assuming favorable conditions -- the pitcher is formed.

Now the pitchers of plants belonging to the genera Sarracenia and Heliamphora are both typically filled by rain water. Both genera are terrestrial and form a rosette of pitchers.

A somewhat helpful way of remembering is to look at the pitchers. In the case of Neps, most species have a "lid" positioned so as to prevent water from falling into the pitcher. Sarrs and Helis do not and instead have their pitchers open to the skies. Neither genera has a vining habit nor are pitchers formed at the end of leaf tendrils as with Neps. Instead the entire leaf is the pitcher. See link.

We now conclude today's mini-lecture on pitcher plants. You all may now wake up and from the brain-numbed torpor I likely induced in you.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sarracenia

Thanks Paul for keeping me honest. I guess it was too hot the last time we were there and I didn't listen closely.

Nice Doc. I want to try a few of those myself, one of the bloggers also have them and she has been posting pics of such wonderful species...amazing plants

professor paul, that was actually very interesting lesson, never got bored or sleepy. Thank you, I learned something new today.

Great photos, Howard, thank you for posting.
Rina

Nice! Here is my pitcher plant. Sarracenia "Dixie Lace"

{{gwi:585769}}

I read somewhere that hey found one that actually was in the process of digesting a bird!!! Imagine what that's going to be after a few million years of evolution...
Matthew

Glad I wasn't too pedantic, Rina.

Nice Sarr, Joe. Just my 2 cents worth though, your plant could use a much larger pot.

Oh how cool! I remember seeing pitcher plants and sundews in boggy areas of the Adirondacks and White Mountains when I was a kid... they always fascinated me. I'm a little sorry to admit it, but I remember catching flies and actually putting them ON the plants to see how long it took for the plant to eat them! (Longer than I ever imagined... I thought the plant would chew up the bugs like Little Shop of Horrors... LOL!)

Fascinating plants & fab pix of them, Howard!

Nice lesson/info, Paul!

Nice one, Joe! =)

Thanks to you all!

This post was edited by rosemariero on Wed, Jul 31, 13 at 19:25

I had one of these last year and they are interesting things. However, I just couldn't stand all the bugs inside the cups. I gave it away in the end. I think my grandson was wary of it :)
Kind regards
Averil Uk

Feed me, Seymour!

Love the nepenthes...just find them hard to sustain in my clime.

T

Btw, nice pitcher plant, Joe!

Just beautiful. If I lived int the south east, I would be collecting these but too much work for me here.