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 2′ (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.
9/16/2016 · Sieur de Monts Botanical Gardens, Bar Harbor, Maine
5/22/2010 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Massachusetts · ≈ 3½ × 2½′ (116 × 77 cm)
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 · ≈ 2 × 1′ (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 · ≈ 12 × 8″ (31 × 20 cm)
Sarracenia purpurea description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 17 Aug 2021.
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 · ≈ 17 × 12″ (44 × 29 cm)
At far left, there is some sundew (Drosera rotundifolia) · 8/22/2020 · Kettle Hole Bog, Hidden Valley Nature Center, Jefferson, Maine · ≈ 10 × 6″ (24 × 16 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)