Sarracenia purpurea L.

Purple pitcher plant, American pitcher plant, northern pitcher plant

About plant names...

Purple pitcher plants, so named for their pitcher-like structures, are among very few plants that are carnivorous (technically “insectivorous,” but “carnivorous” sounds way more dramatic). The "pitchers," which contain rainwater scented to attract insects, are ringed with slippery, downward-pointing hairs. Unwary insects fall into the watery fluid, and are digested by enzymes and bacteria. This clever trick allows pitcher plants to thrive in bogs which are severely deficient in nutrients. Pitcher plants are North American natives. For information on this and other insectivorous bog-dwelling species, see Field Trip Through a Maine Raised Bog.

Identification: These plants are unmistakable. They are only found in bogs. Pitcher plant leaves form a rosette that remains near the ground. The "pitchers" arise vertically, open on the top, partially covered by a hoodlike structure. Leaves may be yellow-green (with deep red veins), red, or dark purple. Flowers rise on tall leafless stems up to 24" (60 cm) in height, nodding over and hanging downward. They are glossy and rose pink to dark red. The flowers inside are white, with yellow stamens, but are difficult to see from above.

Online References:

The Carnivorous Plant FAQ, courtesy of the International Carnivorous Plant Society

Earl J.S. Rook's Flora, Fauna, Earth, and Sky ... The Natural History of the Northwoods

The Botanical Society of America

The USDA Forest Service's Fire Effects Information Database

5/15/2010 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 14 × 14" (36 × 34 cm)

9/16/2016 · Sieur de Monts Botanical Gardens, Bar Harbor, Maine

5/15/2010 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 9 × 6" (23 × 15 cm)

5/22/2010 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 6 × 9" (15 × 23 cm)

7/24/2010 · Acton Arboretum, Acton, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 12 × 16" (29 × 39 cm)

9/16/2016 · Sieur de Monts Botanical Gardens, Bar Harbor, Maine

8/31/2023 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Mass­a­chu­setts

2/26/2010 · San Diego Zoo, San Diego, Cali­fornia ID is uncertain

9/20/2009 · Wild Gardens of Acadia, Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine
≈ 24 × 16" (62 × 41 cm)

5/22/2010 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 9 × 6" (22 × 14 cm)

The sparse-leaved vines are Vaccinium oxycoccos, small cranberry. · 8/22/2020 · Kettle Hole Bog, Hidden Valley Nature Center, Jefferson, Maine
≈ 12 × 8" (31 × 20 cm)

8/22/2020 · Kettle Hole Bog, Hidden Valley Nature Center, Jefferson, Maine
≈ 7 × 7" (18 × 17 cm)

Sarracenia purpurea description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 17 Aug 2021.

© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.

2/26/2010 · San Diego Zoo, San Diego, Cali­fornia ID is uncertain

2/26/2010 · San Diego Zoo, San Diego, Cali­fornia ID is uncertain

5/15/2010 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 13 × 9" (32 × 24 cm)

At far left, there is some sundew (Drosera rotundifolia) · 8/22/2020 · Kettle Hole Bog, Hidden Valley Nature Center, Jefferson, Maine
≈ 7 × 6" (17 × 14 cm)

8/22/2020 · Kettle Hole Bog, Hidden Valley Nature Center, Jefferson, Maine
≈ 12 × 8" (31 × 20 cm)

9/16/2016 · Sieur de Monts Botanical Gardens, Bar Harbor, Maine

9/20/2009 · Wild Gardens of Acadia, Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine
≈ 10 × 15" (26 × 39 cm)

7/24/2010 · Acton Arboretum, Acton, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 24 × 16" (62 × 41 cm)

9/14/2010 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 12 × 14" (29 × 35 cm)

5/22/2010 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 5 × 5" (12 × 13 cm)

9/2/2004 · Nova Scotia, Canada

9/14/2010 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 15 × 10" (39 × 26 cm)

7/24/2010 · Acton Arboretum, Acton, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 9 × 12" (22 × 30 cm)

Range:

About this map...