PARROT PITCHERPLANT 



Sarracenia psittacina Michaux 



The distribution indicated on the accompanying map shows that the parrot pitcherplant 

 originated at some point in the ancient peneplain near what is now the northwestern corner 

 of Georgia. From this region it disappeared as a result of the geologic and climatic changes, 

 but its seeds found their way down both the Alabama and Chattahoochee Valleys. The 

 colonies thereby formed on the Coastal Plain expanded laterally, reaching the vicinity of 

 New Orleans on the west and the coast of Georgia on the east. Search for it near Augusta, 

 Georgia, where it was stated by Michaux to occur, has proved unsuccessful, the northeastern- 

 most colony thus far found lying lo miles southwest of Millen, in Jenkins County. 



Like most of the others, this species apparently lost the ability to expand its range farther 

 before the end of the Tertiary. It thrives best in low meadows subject to frequent inunda- 

 tion by acid waters from nearby swamps, but in [spite of the abundance of such habitats 

 which developed in peninsular Florida after it emerged from the sea, the plant has never 

 succeeded in entering that region. 



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