| Northern
Pitcher Plant
Sarracenia Purpurea |
 |
| Northern
Pitcher Plant
Sarracenia Purpurea |
|
| Description: The Pitcher plant has a purplish-red flower. Its curved leaves are 4-12 inches long and covered on the inside with stiff, downward pointing hairs. Leaves vary from yellow to green to red and curl to form pitcher-like shapes. The Pitcher Plant can grow 8-24 inches tall. |
| Discussion: Pitcher Plants get their food by trapping insects in the liquid in each leaf where a sticky sweet smelling liquid lures them. Downward pointing hairs make it impossible for the insects to climb out. Extremely hardy, the pitcher plant can survive bitter winters. Native Americans used the leaves as cups and believed the plant had medicinal powers. |
| Distribution: It is found in California, eastern United States and Canada. |
| Location:Volo Bog in Section 8. |
| ©
Copyright 2003, Taveirne Middle School,
www.bighollow.us. All rights reserved; Photos courtesy
of: Ryan W. Jaan N. Frank P. Text written by Ryan W.,
Jaan N. Frank P. |
| References:
Jordan, Sandra and Janet Lyons. Walking in the Wetlands.
New York: Wiley. 1989.
Niering, William A. Wetlands, National Audubon Society. New York: Knopf. 1985. Slack, Adrian. Insect Eating Plants and How to Grow Them. Seattle: University of Washington Press. 1988. |
| Click here for more photos of the Northern Pitcher Plant |