This is Sarracenia purpuurea. This pitcher plant is native to the New Jersey Pine Barrens. It is carnivorous. Insects are attracted to the color and scent, and and enter the pitcher. The lower portion of the pitcher if filled with liquid, water and digestive enzymes, and many insects get trapped there. The lower walls for the pitcher are very smooth and allow no purchase for insects to climb up and many exhaust themselves trying. But should they manage to scale the lower wall they are greeted by downward facing spines forming a formidable barrier on the upper wall. Thus once in, insects have a very difficult time getting out. And the plant, which grows in the nutrient pool soils of the Pine Barrens, absorbs the nutrients it needs by digesting those insects.
5 comments:
Most creative (and most beautiful) take on this theme yet! Wow, those colors are vibrant!
Great shot to fit the theme!! Lovely plant too. Even if it does eat insects. Perhaps it will decide to go on a diet of nothing except mosquitoes. :D
@ Iona: There is actually a species of mosquito the larvae of which have evolved to survive in the fluid in the pitcher. The good news though it that this species of mosquito gets all the protein it needs from the insects which don't survive in the pitcher. And thus it does not need a blood meal as an adult.
@ Chesney: The colors throughout the bogs are wonderful. Bright green, yellow, pink. purple, blue, red and others, in many shades. Great places to visit and photo all summer long.
These are all so well shot and so fascinating,well done!
This and the subsequent shots of the plants are just really well done. So much detail - very interesting info, too.
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