Sarracenia jonesii
Mountain sweet pitcher plant
Mason Brock (Masebrock) · Public domain
About
A distinctive pitcher plant, *Sarracenia jonesii*, is notable for its hollow, green pitchers marked with maroon veins and its fragrant, maroon, 5-petaled flowers. It is endemic to the bogs of North and South Carolina, where it is listed as an endangered species.
Field notes
Morphology
The plant is a stemless herbaceous perennial with hollow tubular pitchers that are green with maroon veins. These pitchers have a narrow shape and a horizontal lid, and the species can range in height from 21 to 73 cm. Flowers are maroon, 5-petaled, and globular, producing a fragrant odor.
Distribution & habitat
Endemic to the seepage bogs and depression bogs of the mountainous region on the border of North Carolina and South Carolina.
Ecology
The pitchers attract flies and small insects using colorful leaves and sweet smells. Once trapped, the waxy, slippery sides prevent escape, and the nectar paralyzes the insects, while digestive fluids decompose the prey for nutrient absorption.
History & etymology
The taxonomic status has been debated, having previously been classified as a subspecies of *Sarracenia rubra*, but is now recognized as a distinct species based on morphological differences, unique coloration, and fragrance.
Conservation
Listed as an endangered species in the United States due to its extremely limited distribution and vulnerability. Many of its previously known locations have been extirpated.
Habitat
- Altitude
- 600–1,200 m
- Altitude Class
- intermediate
- Native To
- United States
Cultivation
- Difficulty
- intermediate
- Temperature
- Summer 20–28°C / Winter dormancy -5–8°C
- Humidity
- 60–85%
- Notes
- Endangered Appalachian endemic. Often treated as subsp. of S. rubra.
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