Sarracenia Psittacina

Description

The Parrot Pitcher Plant, Sarracenia psittacina is low growing southern pitcher plant with green and red bulbous traps. They have a very distinctive shape, reminiscent of a parrot’s beak with white areoles (windows), and has a small hidden opening. The low lying trap is unique among Sarracenia, in having a lobster pot trap structure rather than the typical pitfall. This allows prey to be trapped in air or water. Ants and other small crawling insects are common prey, as are small aquatic organisms. This species shows a preference for open, sunny, very wet habitats that are frequently, but briefly flooded. It tolerates shade. The traps darken in the Fall to deep red maroon. S. psittacina often persist through the winter, tolerating light frost, and very wet winter conditions. Pitchers often last for 2 years. The flowers are small, dark red, and fragrant. They generally bloom from March to May before the pitchers fully develop.