Sarracenia psittacina
Ease to Grow: Moderate
Dormancy: Suggested
Native Range: Wet Savannahs of the Gulf Coast from Georgia to the Mississippi Delta.
Zones: 7-9 (6-10)
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.
Plants are shipped bare-root, wrapped in damp sphagnum moss. In it's dormant season, it will be shipped as a dormant rhizome with trimmed off pitchers. Photographs are representative of the species, and not the specific plant shipped. Veining and coloration may vary because these are a seed strain.
Height: 2" - 8"
Plant Type: Perennial, Temperate
Soil: Lower Bog Mix or All-Purpose Mix
Light: Bright indoors, full sun to partial sun, and even shade outdoors
Use: Grows well in the bog garden, greenhouse and indoors. It is an excellent subject for terrariums if provided winter dormancy.
