Sarracenia leucophylla

Sarracenia leucophylla

Family: Sarraceniaceae

Common Name: white trumpet pitcher plant

This is a stemless herbaceous perennial that grows in full sun. Modified leaves form upright, slender-fluted pitchers of variable height ranging from 20” to 36”. Pitchers are narrow with a somewhat horizontal lid that prevents most rain from entering the tube. This species produces two crops of pitchers, the first in spring and the second in late summer. Pitchers are green at the bottom, but become bright white at the upper part, mouth and lid with attractive green venation. Lids are attractive landing sites for flying insects. Insects are lured to the pitchers by the attractive leaf colors and nectar. Nectar reportedly has a paralyzing effect on insects. Each pitcher is slippery inside, and insects fall down the tube into a digestive juice liquid at the bottom of the pitcher. Insects decompose and nutrients are absorbed.

Locality: Ex Hort. Harvest: December 2024