Software
Houzz Logo Print
lizzierings

S. purpurea or S. rosea?

10 years ago

I have two sarracenias that have both been labeled as S. purpurea. But doing some research has really confused me, and I have no idea if I should trust Lowe's tags.

This one I've had for many months:

This other one I got a couple days ago and is much smaller:


I'm worried because I don't know which one requires dormancy.

Comments (3)

  • 10 years ago

    All North American Sarracenia require dormancy during the coming fall & winter period. Both of yoru plants seem to be varieties of the typical Sarracenia purpurea subsp. venosa. There are different color variation among the subsp venosa, green with red veins to red one.

    The particular characteristic of Sarracenia rosea that differs from from regular purpurea is larger hood & fatter 'lips' (the roll in front of the open pitcher), & the pitchers tend to be quite fat. As well as a short peduncles that holds the flower, & the flower petals are bigger & light pink. The peduncles of a typical S. purpurea are longer & the petals dark red.

    Sarracenia rosea was formally identified as S. purpurea ssp. venosa var. burkii, until it was recognized as a separate species because of the above characteristics. Probably the best bet to identify your plants if indeed you have a S. rosea will be next spring, when they wake up from their dormancy & grow their flowers. The peduncles will be the 1st thing to start growing when they break their dormancy.

    I have the green with red veins with that particular wavy & flared hood. I have the suspicion that it might be the variety called Sarracenia purpurea ssp venosa "Ruffled Lid.



    Here's two more varieties that I have.

    Unfortunately the one below is on recovery mode because it got pecked by birds. :-(


    Either way, I'm going to check up on Lowes to see if they sell that red variety in my area too & add to my collection of S purpurea ssp. venosa color variations.

    Good luck with your plants!


    Liz thanked hunterkiller03
  • 10 years ago

    Thanks so much for that great information (and your plants all look great)! My Lowe's has been getting some interesting plants lately: nepenthes, the red sarracenia, and a type of venus flytrap with shorter, fatter teeth. I hope yours is carrying something interesting!

  • 10 years ago

    I spent a couple of months last year visiting and revisiting various local Lowes to see what all the selection that they got. Regardless of how people dislike the Lowes CP supplier and the care (or lack of) that Lowes employees give to the plants, I think it's a great way for a beginner to get and fall in love with CPs. From there, they can choose to get more varieties or breeds that are not found locally.

    I haven't seem to find any cobra lilies yet, but I found basically the typically common types of S., N., and VFTs, and sundews, which are a great discovery to know I could get that just from Lowes.


Sponsored
Miller Woodworks
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars23 Reviews
Franklin County's Trusted Custom Cabinetry Solutions