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.
Conservation
Assessed as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List.
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.