White Top Pitcher Plant
Sarracenia leucophylla
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photos by © Martin Main, Univ. of FL.
Height- to 3 feet
Identifiers- green tube leaves, white hoods, purple veins
Adaptations- carnivorous, fine hairs point downward
-grow in acidic soils, trap rain water in pitcher
-leaf keeled inside to provide support
Status- listed by state; endangered
Distribution- NW Florida; Franklin Co. west to Escambia Co.
Habitat- bogs, savannas, hydric pine flatwoods, lake edges
Diet- insectivorous, purple veins contain nectar
Fun facts
- Native Americans used plant to: make tea to calm women giving birth,
- dried leaves were used as a fever poltice, 'pitchers' used to carry water
- all 6 Florida Sarracenia species are listed as threatened or
endangered
- mosquitoe larvae (Wyeomia smithii) can grow inside the pitcher
{Species
Archive Index} |
