Pitcher Plant blooms in Spring (September)
Genus: Sarracenia
The flowers rise on moderatley long stems, and are a spectacular addition to this aquatic environment. But its the pitcher-shaped foliage that is the most "attractive" element of the plant!
Sarracenia plants attract and trap insects and other prey in their leaf pitcher, without the use of moving parts. The traps are static and are based on a combination of lures (including color, scent, and nectar) and inescapability – typically the entrances to the traps are one-way by virtue of the highly adapted features listed above.
Most species use a combination of scent, waxy deposits (to clog insect feet) and gravity to topple insect prey into their pitcher. Once inside, the insect finds the footing very slippery with a waxy surface covering the walls of the pitcher. Further down the tube, downward-pointing hairs make retreat impossible, and in the lowest region of the tube, a pool of liquid containing digestive enzymes and wetting agents quickly drowns the prey and begins digestion. The exoskeletons are usually not digested, and over the course of the summer fill up the pitcher tube. Source: Wikipedia
Pitcher Plant blooms in Spring (September)
Genus: Sarracenia
The flowers rise on moderatley long stems, and are a spectacular addition to this aquatic environment. But its the pitcher-shaped foliage that is the most "attractive" element of the plant!
Sarracenia plants attract and trap insects and other prey in their leaf pitcher, without the use of moving parts. The traps are static and are based on a combination of lures (including color, scent, and nectar) and inescapability – typically the entrances to the traps are one-way by virtue of the highly adapted features listed above.
Most species use a combination of scent, waxy deposits (to clog insect feet) and gravity to topple insect prey into their pitcher. Once inside, the insect finds the footing very slippery with a waxy surface covering the walls of the pitcher. Further down the tube, downward-pointing hairs make retreat impossible, and in the lowest region of the tube, a pool of liquid containing digestive enzymes and wetting agents quickly drowns the prey and begins digestion. The exoskeletons are usually not digested, and over the course of the summer fill up the pitcher tube. Source: Wikipedia