green pitcher plant - Endangered Species

Green Pitcher Plant
Sarecenia oreophila

Green Pitcher Plant

The Green Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia oreophila) is a carnivorous perennial herb. The habitat includes hardwood or pine flatwoods, seepage bogs, and stream banks. Fire plays a major role in enhancing the habitat and increasing the populations in the preserve.

The most common way the plant reproduces is by cloning. The roots of the plant are close to the top of the ground, so it simply makes another plant from the root. The plant can also reproduce by seeds. Insects pollinate the flower of the plant. If conditions are right, the seed produces a new Green Pitcher Plant.

The main body is a pitcher shaped tube. The plant produces nectar that entices insects inside the pitcher. The insects become trapped and are digested by enzymes. The pitcher ranges from 8-30 inches tall and has purple veins. Basal leaves are shorter flat sickle shaped leaves at the bottom of the plant.

Colors of the flowers vary from green, yellow or yellow-green. Blooms appear in mid spring and continue into late spring. The stem is long and narrow. There are five sepals and five petals. The style is shaped like an upside-down umbrella. It holds the pollen.The lid or hood is at the top of the plant. Its purpose is to prevent too much rain water from diluting the enzymes in the pitcher.

 

Duration:

2 minutes, 15 seconds

Watch this short video for more information on the Green Pitcher Plant.