Hooded Pitcher Plant
(Sarracenia minor)
Hooded Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia minor)
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Hectonichus
CC BY-SA 3.0
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Hectonichus
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CC BY-SA 3.0
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Photo by: Hectonichus | License Type: CC BY-SA 3.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0 | Uploader: Hectonichus | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Sarraceniaceae_-_Sarracenia_minor-002.JPG | Notes: User created page with UploadWizard |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Sarracenia minor, commonly known as the Hooded Pitcher Plant, is a perennial, terrestrial, rhizomatous, herbaceous, carnivorous plant native to the Southeastern United States, particularly in pine flatwoods, savannas, and boggy areas. It is a relatively small species within the genus, with pitchers typically reaching 25–30 centimeters (10–12 inches) in height. The plant produces yellow, odorless flowers from late March to mid-May, which are held above the pitchers on tall stems. The flowers are followed by a capsule that can contain over a hundred seeds. Sarracenia minor is unique in its genus for having domed pitchers with translucent white patches, which are thought to help lure insects into the trap by mimicking windows of light.
The Hooded Pitcher Plant is valued for its unique insect-trapping pitchers and is often grown as an ornamental in bog gardens, containers, and greenhouses. It requires a consistently moist, acidic soil similar to its native boggy habitats and thrives in full sun, which intensifies the coloration of the pitchers. While it is relatively easy to maintain, it must not dry out and should not be fertilized, as it obtains nutrients from captured prey. It can be propagated by division or from seed. Gardeners should be aware that Sarracenia minor is susceptible to root rot if the soil is not well-aerated and overly wet. It is not considered invasive when grown outside its native range, but care should be taken to avoid introducing it into natural wetlands where it is not native.CC BY-SA 4.0
The Hooded Pitcher Plant is valued for its unique insect-trapping pitchers and is often grown as an ornamental in bog gardens, containers, and greenhouses. It requires a consistently moist, acidic soil similar to its native boggy habitats and thrives in full sun, which intensifies the coloration of the pitchers. While it is relatively easy to maintain, it must not dry out and should not be fertilized, as it obtains nutrients from captured prey. It can be propagated by division or from seed. Gardeners should be aware that Sarracenia minor is susceptible to root rot if the soil is not well-aerated and overly wet. It is not considered invasive when grown outside its native range, but care should be taken to avoid introducing it into natural wetlands where it is not native.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 0.8-1.5 feet
- Width: 1-2 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Yellow
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: High
- Drainage: Slow, Medium
Common Uses
Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Fragrant, Water Garden
Natural Habitat
Native to pine flatwoods, savannas, and boggy areas in the Southeastern United States
Other Names
Common Names: Spotted Pitcherplant
Scientific Names: , Sarracenia minor, Sarracenia variolaris, Sarracenia minor f. viridescens, Sarracenia adunca, Sarracenia galeata, Sarracenia lacunosa, Sarracenia sweetii,
GBIF Accepted Name: Sarracenia minor Walter