Sarracenia purpurea

posted in: Specimen of the Week | 0
Plant image of Sarracenia purpurea

This Sarracenia purpurea is the two millionth digitized specimen at the Steere Herbarium of the New York Botanical Garden. This rare and unique insect-eating purple pitcher plant thrives in low nutrient habitats such as bogs. Their leaves are modified into pitcher-like structures that collect rainwater and secrete digestive enzymes. The inside of the pitcher is covered in hydrophobic downward pointing hairs, causing insects to slip inside where they drown. The plant then absorbs nutrients from the decaying prey. Many states in the U.S. have conservation laws to protect Sarracenia, as they are frequently poached.