Description: Perennial herbs, with rhizomes.
Leaves clumped, tubular-shaped, with a 'hood' (operculum) over the entrance or mouth; the tube rim, a rolled lip at the top of the tube (peristome), secretes nectar and scents to attract prey. Non-carnivorous leaves (phyllodia) may be produced in colder periods, as the pitcher leaves start to wither at the end of autumn with the onset of colder weather.
Flowers solitary, facing downwards, on a long stem often placing them above the pitcher traps; sepals 5, superintended by 3 bracts; petals 5, yellow or reddish; style umbrella-like, 5-pointed, stigmas located at the tips.
Distribution and occurrence: Native to North America (United States, Canada); up to 11 species. Australia: 1 species possibly naturalised in NSW.
Sarracenia is a genus of carnivorous plants where the leaves have evolved into a funnel or tube (pitcher shape) as part of a design to trap and digest insects for extra nutrients. Insect prey is attracted by extrafloral nectaries on the lip of the pitcher leaves, as well as by scent and leaf colours. These North American pitcher plants, commonly called Trumpet Pitchers, are often grown as ornamentals.
Text by P.G. Kodela, April 2017
Taxon concept: Australian Plant Census (accessed April 2017)
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