S. minor, the Hooded Pitcher Plant

Although not as stunning S. leucophylla, the subject of last weeks blog, the plant we will be discussing today is by no means boring. In fact, this is one of my favorite species in the genus Sarracenia. Introducing S. minor, the hooded pitcher plant. This plant has by far the most bizarre (and most interesting) variety, which we will discuss in detail later. The plant is found in central and northern Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and in small areas of North Carolina.

S. minor is easy to identify by its unique lid and white spots that line the back of the upper pitcher tube. In addition, the plant has a small yellow flower. Named due to it’s (typically) small size, this plant only grows to around a 10-12 inches. Note this size now, for it will become important when discussing the varieties of this plant.

S. minor is often referred to as the hooded pitcher plant due to its lid. Unlike most Sarracenia that have an upright lid (see previous few blogs), this plant has a lid that lies close to the pitcher opening, and appears as if it is a ‘hood,’ hence the name. This lid, since it is so close to the mouth of the plant, essentially blocks out all light on the inside of the pitcher tube.

Without any light in the pitcher, bugs would not led into the tube to their demise. In order to compensate for this disadvantage, S. minor has an incredible evolutionary trait: small white areoles or ‘windows.’ These white spots are actually translucent, and allow light into the pitcher. When insects land on the pitcher lip, they see these windows, and think they are a potentially escape route. After flying into these false escape routes, bugs tumble down the inner pitcher tube where they are met with digestive fluid.

Varieties:

S. minor var. minor – the most common variety of S. minor, this variety looks like the above plants, and is not unique when it comes to this species. It is short, only getting to around 10-12 inches.

S. minor var. okefenokeensis – lurking in the Okefenokee Swamp of Georgia is a beast… a variety of pitcher plant that seems to be from another planet. This ‘Okefenokee monster’ is exactly the same as S. minor var. minor, except for one “small” difference… this plant, instead of growing around a foot tall like all other hooded pitchers, can grow to just under 4 feet tall. Yes. Four. Feet. Tall. Why is this variety, found only in one swamp, four times taller than the normal variety of S. minor? Nobody knows, and for this, I am beyond intrigued by this mysterious plant.

As you can see, this plant is very strange, but also very fascinating. Any hybrid that has S. minor heritage typically expresses a hooded lid shape and also inherits white spots on the back of the pitcher. Below are some of my personal S. minor hybrids. Take note of the hood shape and white windows.

1. https://carnivorousplantresource.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/sminor_card.jpg
2. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/22/Sarracenia_minor_range.png/220px-Sarracenia_minor_range.png
3. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/g8Mmw9AWPmqCx0NbSq2kyKGpOXYNaiR05wyYqZ1oSR-wgXlSasI_aNeVQ0lXOc7L7W-N=s128
4. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/9-7BN7IL7tR2hroxkTbNoFx4hY2D4SDsBYZDIYhmJhm_ERrqTkIISU5FQF0jAWPQQvLfBn4=s85
5. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/6c-QW7wB9vFOWC4K6S75lTySZc7FEsUMmDrSBTG-INQOspYOp8Sz_6B6Ugoou5vs56sgXw=s85