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Sarracenia alata
Sarracenia alata Alph. Wood
Yellow Trumpets, Yellow Pitcher Plant, Yellow Trumpet, Flycatcher, Trumpet Pitcher Plant
Sarraceniaceae (Pitcher-plant Family)
Synonym(s): Sarracenia sledgei
USDA Symbol: SAAL4
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
This is a member of the pitcher plant family. Its leaves, like those of other plants in this family, are hollow with an open, partially covered top. Water collects in these "pitchers" and insects are trapped, decomposed, and partially absorbed by the plant. Flowers hang at the tip of leafless stems, facing downward. There are 3 bracts, 5 sepals, 5 petals, and many stamens. The style has an extraordinary shape, like an umbrella upside down, with a stigma beneath each of the 5 angles (248).
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 3 feet tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: Mar , Apr
Distribution
USA: AL , LA , MS , TXNative Habitat: Marshes
Growing Conditions
Water Use: HighSoil Moisture: Wet
Aquatic: yes
Soil Description: Mud, Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Water garden, Bog or pond areaUse Wildlife: Nectar-insects
Warning: The root and leaves are sometimes used in herbal remedies but can be toxic and sometimes fatal in high quantities or if misused. Sensitivity to a toxin varies with a person’s age, weight, physical condition, and individual susceptibility. Children are most vulnerable because of their curiosity and small size. Toxicity can vary in a plant according to season, the plant’s different parts, and its stage of growth; and plants can absorb toxic substances, such as herbicides, pesticides, and pollutants from the water, air, and soil.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Plant identification, green and tube-like
September 18, 2008
LOOKING FOR NAME OF A GREEN TUBE-LIKE PLANT (SHAPED LIKE A CALLA LILY). THE VEINS ARE VISIBLE. MAYBE IN CLUSTER
view the full question and answer
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | OBL | OBL |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Crosby Arboretum - Picayune, MS
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
Wildflower Center Seed Bank
LBJWC-MLE-39 Collected 2010-10-16 in Tyler County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower CenterBibliography
Bibref 765 - McMillen's Texas Gardening: Wildflowers (1998) Howard, D.Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
From the Archive
Wildflower Newsletter 1993 VOL. 10, NO.2 - Berry Browsing in the Backyard, Director\'s Report, Essays on Trillium\'s, Natio...Additional resources
USDA: Find Sarracenia alata in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Sarracenia alata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Sarracenia alata
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-24Research By: TWC Staff