Sarracenia psittacina Michx.

Parrot Pitcher Plant; Parrot Beaks

**

Perennial

Vascular

Parrot Pitcher Plant is a native herbaceous perennial in the Pitcher-Plant family (Sarraceniaceae). It is an insectivorous species that can be found in the southern third of Alabama. Parrot Pitcher Plant occurs in bogs, seeps, wet savannas and pine flatwoods, titi swamps, and roadside ditches. It is a clump forming perennial from a woody rhizome. The hollow leaves form a rosette, radiating out from the growing point. The leaves are decumbent or rarely slightly ascending. The end of the leaf is almost completely enclosed, with a small round hole in the hood located at the end of a wing of vertical tissue that runs the length of the leaf. The hood is rounded and the leaf looks something like a golf club. Leaves are green and white with red veins in shade forms and almost completely red in forms growing in strong sunlight. Prey (often ants) are attracted to nectar produced near the hole in the hollow leaf. They enter the hole and downward pointing hairs lining the inside of the leaf force them deeper into the hollow trap. Water containing digestive fluids secreted by the plant fill the lower portion of the leaf. The vertical wing of tissue on the leaf may function as a “fence”, directing small ground crawling insects towards the opening of the trap. Flowers are produced singly on scapes that are 6-12 inches in height. The flowers are red in color. The fruit is a capsule. Parrot Pitcher Plant is often hidden by grasses and other vegetation. It is most noticeable when in flower. Parrot Pitcher Plant grows in wetter habitats than most other Pitcher Plant species. It can survive submerged for extended periods of time. Parrot Pitcher Plant is available from nurseries that specialize in “carnivorous” plants. It requires a wet, acidic potting mixture such as peat moss or sphagnum. Best growth and flowering occurs with plants grown in full sun. Parrot Pitcher Plant can be grown in a bog garden, in the shallow ends of pool gardens, and in terrariums. Only purchase plants from d

**

Native OBL (NWPL)

**