Sarracenia psittacina
Forget growing tall. Never mind growing squat. Sarracenia psittacina is unique in its horizontal approach to pitcher production. Also… is it just me or do those pitchers look like wee baby parrots..?
Oh, look at that! Sarracenia psittacina, is also known as the Parrot Pitcher Plant. It’s a member of the Sarraceniaceae family and is native to the southeastern United States. It is a small to medium-sized pitcher plant, growing up to 60 cm in height, and is characterized by its distinctive hooded pitchers and bright green and red coloration.
Unique characteristics of Sarracenia psittacina
Trap characteristics
What sets the Parrot Pitcher Plant apart from other pitcher plants is the unique shape of its pitchers. The pitchers resemble a parrot’s beak, with a small opening at the top and a curved neck that extends downward. The hooded portion of the pitcher protects the opening from rain and prevents insects from escaping, making it an effective trap for prey.
Like other carnivorous plants, Sarracenia psittacina uses its pitchers to capture and digest insects and other small prey. The inside of the pitcher is lined with downward-pointing hairs and a slippery surface that makes it difficult for prey to escape. The plant also secretes enzymes that digest the prey, which the plant then absorbs for nutrients.
Other notable characteristics
Sarracenia psittacina is often found growing in wetlands, swamps, and other areas with standing water. During periods of heavy rainfall or flooding, the plant can become completely submerged.
While most Sarracenia would suffer if completely submerged in water, Sarracenia psittacina has a unique adaptation that allows it to survive and even thrive under water. Those cute, parrot-shaped pitchers allow it to capture prey and absorb nutrients even when submerged.
When plants are submerged, and pitchers fill with water, aquatic critters can swim into them. The unique shape of the mouth opening (much like Darlingtonia Californica), confuses prey so that it can’t escape. Meanwhile, a dense array of downward-pointing hairs keeps prey moving towards the depths of the trap, where digestion occurs.
Other Sarracenia species, hybrids and cultivars
Sarracenia flava var. rubicorpora
Sarracenia flava var. rubicorpora Sarracenia flava var. rubricorpora, also known as the Red Tube Trumpet Pitcher Plant, is a cultivar of the Sarracenia flava species and is native to the southeastern United States. It [...]
Sarracenia psittacina
Forget growing tall. Never mind growing squat. Sarracenia psittacina is unique in its horizontal approach to pitcher production. Also... is it just me or do those pitchers look like wee baby parrots..?
Sarracenia ‘The Kraken’
Summon the Kraken! Sarracenia The Kraken is a monster readii x Royal Ruby hybrid from the gardens of Phil Faulisi. Don't turn your back on this pitcher plant, or you may get dragged under!
Sarracenia ‘Reptilian Rose’
With a large, red, ruffled hood and gnarled, angled lip, S. Reptilian Rose is both beauty and beast. It's a cultivar from master breeder Phil Faulisi, and it's an absolute masterpiece.
Sarracenia ‘Alucard’
Sarracenia 'Alucard' is the magnificent progeny of S. flava rubicorpora and S. 'Royal Ruby'. Don't get it confused with a cultivar, though - only 'Prince of Darkness' holds that title.
Sarracenia ‘Black Widow’
A deep shade of purple, with venomous fangs, and a thirst for insects, Sarracenia 'Black Widow' is two of these three things. It is 100% beautiful, and an easy-grower!
Sarracenia moorei
The grex that wrecks the rest, Sarracenia moorei has little competition in the "humungous, gorgeous, and fast-growing" categories. It's a common-name grex that includes some of the most famous pitcher plants to date.
Sarracenia Leah Wilkerson
Sarracenia 'Leah Wilkerson' has the go-go-gadget pitchers of the naturally occurring Sarracenia hybrids. The plant's largest recorded pitchers are more easily measured in units of Godzilla than inches, coming in at 50 inches (130cm) tall.
Sarracenia saurus
Sarracenia ‘Saurus’ is the mythical monster moorei hybrid (S. leucophylla × flava var. ornata) that Phil Faulisi concocted in the spring of 2005. Everything is bigger on this pitcher plant - the height, the heft, the color, and the price tag!
Sarracenia Oreophila
Sarracenia Oreophila is commonly known as the Green Pitcher Plant and Mountain Trumpet pitcher plant, is the single most endangered N.A. pitcher plant, and needs your help surviving.
Sarracenia ‘Deep Throat’
What happens when a S. x excellens hybrid goes rogue? S. 'Deep Throat' happens, and brings with it a broad pitcher, huge mouth, and wide lid. What a beaut!
Sarracenia ‘Adrian Slack’
An exceedingly handsome and colorful plant named for Adrian Slack, a gentleman who contributes so much to the CP community. This North American pitcher plant does not disappoint!
Sarracenia flava var. cuprea
Commonly known as S. flava Coppertop, this is one attractive yellow trumpet pitcher plant. I know trumpets are made out of brass, but copper is close enough... right?
North American Pitcher Plant
The North American pitcher plant is a master of deception. Beautiful pitcher-shaped traps are actually intricate natural adaptations to capture and digest insects in order to uptake minerals otherwise lacking in soil.
Sarracenia purpurea
Sarracenia purpurea is commonly referred to as the purple pitcher plant and is arguably the most successful North American pitcher plant based on the size of its territory.
Sarracenia minor
is known as the hooded pitcher plant. To the human eye, it looks like a fairly typical North American pitcher plant, but with a lid that folds over the mouth. To the insect eye, it probably looks like the grim reaper in cloak.
Sarracenia leucophylla var. alba ‘Hurricane Creek White’
Sarracenia leucophylla var. alba 'Hurricane Creek White' Sarracenia leucophylla var. alba is a gorgeous variety of leucophylla and 'Hurricane Creek White' is a large, robust cultivar. Unfortunately, the name 'Hurricane Creek White' is meant [...]
Sarracenia flava var. rugelii
Known as the cutthroat pitcher plant due to the distinct blood red throat blotch. The coloration and high density of nectar glands at this location on the pitcher act as a lure for hungry insects. It's no coincidence that the blotch is located right above the plant's mouth.
Sarracenia flava (bronze x coppertop)
Sarracenia flava (bronze x coppertop) As the name would suggest, Sarracenia flava (bronze x coppertop) is a hybrid pitcher plant. It takes two spectacular parents, S. flava bronze and S. flava coppertop, crosses them, [...]
Sarracenia flava var. flava
Sarracenia flava var. flava Sarracenia flava is commonly referred to as the Yellow Trumpet plant. This common name captures the essence of tall flowering stalks (visibly similar to the "tuning slide" of a trumpet) [...]