S. alata, the Pale Pitcher Plant

In this blog, we will be discussing Sarracenia alata, more commonly referred to as the pale pitcher plant. Unfortunately, it is probably the most boring species in the genus Sarracenia. S. alata can be found in isolated stands in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, in permanently wet bogs.

Despite being comparatively boring compared to other Sarracenia, the pale pitcher plant is by no means boring. S. alata, similar to other North American pitcher plants, features multiple large, erect tubes covered by a uniquely-small leafy lid. The pitcher colors are generally pale green, but certain varieties exhibit different color and patterns. The pitcher tubes usually reach between one and two feet, but some exceptional strains can rival the size of S. flava. Their flowers are usually yellow-green or cream colored.

Varieties:

S. alata var. alata – Of the many varieties of this plant, S. alata var. alata is the most common. This variety exhibits no unique flare, and represents the basic color and shape of the typical S. alata. This variety features no venation (vein pattern on the pitcher tube), and only occurs in the east and western range.

S. alata var. atrorubra – found only in the eastern range, this variety is distinguished by its unique coloration. With this variety, the pitcher tubes take on a beautiful deep red color, similar to varieties of S. flava.

S. alata var. cuprea – similar to S. flava var. cuprea, this variety looks nearly identical to S. alata var. alata, except it features a unique copper-colored lid. It is only found in the eastern range.

S. alata var. nigropurpurea – found only in the eastern range, this is perhaps the darkest variety of North American pitcher plant, hence the name which refers to it’s black-purple coloration. Exceptional cultivars (unique specimens that were created through selective breeding) of this plant are pure black.

S. alata var. ornata – once again found only in the eastern range, this plant has ornate (hence the name) pinstripe and reticulate veining throughout the pitcher tube, and is analogous to the ornata variety of S. flava.

S. alata var. rubrioperculata – this highly sought after variety features a dark orange/red patch on the ‘throat’ between the mouth and lid of the pitcher or on the underside of the lid. Again, it is only found in the eastern range.

In conclusion, despite not being as striking or unique as some of the other Sarracenia, S. alata is just as beautiful, especially when it comes to its varieties. The pitcher trap works just like most other Sarracenia, so if you are curious as to how it captures prey, view my previous blog. The trapping mechanisms of S. minor, S. purpurea, and S. psittacina will be the only ones discussed in detail.

When it comes to my collection, I do not have many specimens of S. alata. I am happy to own S. alata var. rubrioperculata and atrorubra, but I do not have pictures of them at this time. I have some hybrids with S. alata parentage, but those will be discussed in a future blog.

1. https://carnivorousplantresource.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/salata_card.jpg
2. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/53/Sarracenia_alata_range.png/330px-Sarracenia_alata_range.png
3. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/Q7Ex8AUQCGAFSBhYD3Q4hZqn43GOjYoq5O_-MlOFR0E_vsiBhNGUbif4Hk51qwalqYBpdnpUIRbA3L98uks0HCf-VdZQg954v1C-CKa_-jCl5KfL3w
4. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/7yXO8immHlV2LRgbOICrFtsmgL2axp3ikZxpdM2g0lxF_2IlARtusYSuGKXDWuHw0rqn=s128
5. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/t4DrYFXnG0GPyvRGnotIkl43TDxfbu8RGs3iswee8nU5DC4B4Q7s7he-N7_XPBYttPxL-w=s113
6. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yGk6Ur0TrDkcUyRgObmdJ5_L4rVNcyLK7CIHuRO-SA8h7atU9IMsx7jJzULZhq8eOdK1A=s85
7. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/D2rARJt8k2wiskNoR_DaMVzLwvwO5PIoSUG1pIA7dBcB_s34w5BLMJYgzu8r7bT_ozCt=s85
8. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/vxM6Qg6Q0nA2J0X3r3H8IKGdDzH6GEMbSnRkJ4dtehC-QeEAxAGnWSS3_iuiLokIpmgr=s85