About
This species is notable for its unique life cycle, producing flowers while the carnivorous winter rosette is buried beneath the soil surface. It is a perennial rosetted herb found in high-altitude, mossy banks.
Field notes
Morphology
The plant is a perennial rosetted herb bearing stiff, ground-hugging ovate to cordiform acuminate leaves, which measure 22–92 mm long and are set on unusually long petioles (20–58 mm). The leaves are densely covered with stalked mucilaginous and sessile digestive glands. During dry periods, it forms a non-carnivorous winter rosette, which is withdrawn slightly beneath the soil surface. Flowers are white to lilac, borne singly on stalks 74–150 mm long, appearing between March and May.
Distribution & habitat
Known from 8 locations in and around the El Chico municipality in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico. It grows at altitudes between 2400 and 2800 meters on well-shaded mossy banks.
Ecology
The leaves are covered with digestive glands that trap and digest insect prey, supplementing nutrients in its nitrate-low environment. It often grows in association with other plants such as *Pinguicula moranensis*, mosses, ferns, and succulents.
History & etymology
The species was first described by George Bentham in 1839, based solely on the winter rosette. Live specimens of the plant in its summer growth were not observed until Hans Luhrs rediscovered the species in 1989.
Habitat
- Altitude
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- Altitude Class
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Cultivation
- Difficulty
- intermediate
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