Name: Pitcher Hooded Plant
SKU: sku_396
Availability: OutOfStock

(Sarracenia Minor) This carnivorous species actually traps insects as a source of additional nutrients! The leaves grow into almost perfectly cylindrical trumpets, that turn from light green to a reddish-brown towards the hood as the plant matures. The characteristic white spots are visible even on the juvenile foliage but become more prominent with maturity. The spots are caused by a lack of chlorophyll. The leaves range in sizes up to 3 feet in height. The top of the leaf is curved over the opening of the trap to form a hood, which gives the hooded pitcher plant its name. Under the hood are nectar glands which attract insects. When insects enter the opening of the trap, they are unable to turn back because of downward pointing hairs which direct them further into the trap. These insects are then digested by glands at the bottom of the trap.

The flowers appear early in the growing season and are generally shorter than the foliage. Their narrow petals are commonly pale yellow in color, that spread outwards instead of hanging as in other species and are not fragrant. After being pollinated, seeds mature in approximately three months. These should be stored through the winter in a cool place preferable a refrigerator. In the spring the seeds should be sewn on the surface of damp peat. Germination occurs rapidly but young seedlings should not be allowed to dry out. These grow slowly and wonâ€™t fully mature until the plant is approximately five years old. As with the other species of Sarracenia the plant may be reproduced by dividing the rhizome into segments.