Sarracenia purpurea - Pitcher Plant

Family:	Sarraceniaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.3
Width:	0.3
Synonyms:
Range:	Eastern N. America - Labrador, south to Kentucky, Iowa and Florida. Naturalized in C. Ireland[17].

Sarracenia purpurea (Pitcher Plant) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.3m and a width of 0.3m . It has a hardness rating of 3.
Pitcher Plant will flower in October to November. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by

Soil Information

Pitcher Plant will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Pitcher Plant prefers soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Pitcher Plant can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Sphagnous bogs and peaty barrens[43].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge
• A bog garden plant

Cultivation Details

Grow in sun or partial shade in peat or moss[188]. Requires a moist but well-drained position[4]. Plants require continuously moist conditions in a loose compost of sphagnum peat, live sphagnum and coarse acid sand[260]. They can be grown successfully in a plastic basin or in a pot that is standing in a deep saucer of water[260]. An insectivorous plant[61], it is best grown in a boggy position[1] in a soil that is low in nitrogen. The leaves form cups which become filled with water in which insects become trapped, drown and are digested by the plant[4]. A very ornamental and polymorphic plant[200], it is becoming very rare in the wild and is on the CITES II list of endangered species.

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 0/5
None known

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
The root and leaves are diuretic, hepatic, laxative, stomachic and tonic[4, 61, 222]. They are used in the treatment of dyspepsia, constipation, liver and kidney complaints[61]. A cold decoction of the whole plant has been used in the treatment of whooping cough[257]. An infusion of the dried leaves has been used in the treatment of fevers and shakiness[257]. An infusion of the leaves has been used to make childbirth easier and also for sickness associated with an absence of menstrual periods[257]. An infusion of the leaves was at one time considered to be a cure for smallpox[4, 257], though this has never been substantiated[4]. An infusion of the roots has been used in the treatment of smallpox[207, 213], there are conflicting reports as to its effectiveness[213]. A decoction of the root has been given to women to help expel the afterbirth and to prevent sickness after childbirth[257]. A strong decoction of the root has been used in the treatment of spitting blood and pulmonary complaints[257].

• Diuretic - Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
• Hepatic - Acts on the liver (for better or worse!).
• Kidney - Used in the treatment of kidney diseases
• Laxative - Stimulates bowel movements in a fairly gentle manner.
• Oxytoxic - Hastens parturition and stimulates uterine contractions. See also birthing aids.
• Stomachic - Aids and improves the action of the stomach.
• Tonic - Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.
• Women's complaints - A very vague title, it deals with a miscellany of problems peculiar to the female sex.

Propagation

Seed - we have no information for this species but would suggest sowing the seed in light shade in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe if possible otherwise in early spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Consider giving the plants some protection from the cold for their first winter outdoors. Division might be possible.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Gray's Manual of Botany.
Fernald. M. L.
Author: Fernald. M. L.
Rating:
Publisher : A bit dated but good and concise flora of the eastern part of N. America.
Date of Publication : 1950

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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