PARROT PITCHER PLANT 



Scientific name: Sarracenia psittacina. 



Identifying features: Pitchers usually recline on the ground; hood rolled over 

 forming a bulbous cover over the mouth, leaving only a small hole; pitcher length 

 to 10 inches, hood width to 1 1/2 inches, a large winglike blade runs the length of 

 the upper surface of the pitcher. Flowers grow to 1 inch across, stalk to 10 inches 

 long. The hood, which vaguely resembles the head of a parrot, gives this plant its 

 name. 



Flowering period: Mid- April to early May. This is the last pitcher plant to begin 

 flowering in the forest. 



Distribution: From coastal South Carolina, south through Georgia, west to east- 

 em Louisiana. 



Habitat: Bogs and wet savannas. 

 Distribution in forest: Throughout. 



Abundance in forest: Common, although not easily seen from a distance be- 

 cause the pitchers lie on the ground. 



Other information: The first pitchers formed in the spring usually project up 

 from the soil at an angle, have very large blades, and capture few or no insects. 

 Most of the prey items caught by the typical reclining pitchers are crawling ani- 

 mals such as beetles and millipedes. 



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