Sarah Stierch · CC BY 4.0
About
Also known as the parrot pitcherplant, *Sarracenia psittacina* is a carnivorous species native to the Southeastern United States. It utilizes a complex trapping mechanism that confuses prey, guiding them into the pitcher where digestive enzymes await.
Field notes
Distribution & habitat
Southeastern United States, North America
Ecology
The plant traps prey using a small entrance in the pitcher mouth, where prey is lured by nectar and confused by light shining through false exits. Criss-crossed downward-facing hairs line the interior, forcing prey into digestive enzymes like proteases. It is frequently submerged and captures water arthropods and tadpoles.
Habitat
- Altitude
- 0–100 m
- Altitude Class
- lowland
- Native To
- United States
Cultivation
- Difficulty
- easy
- Temperature
- Summer 22–32°C / Winter dormancy 0–10°C
- Humidity
- 60–85%
- Notes
- Ground-hugging lobster-pot traps. Tolerates flooding.
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