Sarracenia alata, Texas form

Known as the "Pale Pitcher", this species is found in the deep southern U.S.A. The flowers are usually pale yellow, giving the plant its name. Pitchers in most Texas populations are yellow green with some red veins (image above, left). In general, the Mississippi populations have the greatest color range and are thinner (image bottom, left); the Texas types usually display wider pitchers with less pigment. However, an eastern, disjunct population in Texas appears to be part of the Mississippi complex, showing very similar traits.

S. alata is useful in bog garden designs when a tall habit is desired for late summer–fall (when S. flava typically starts dying back for the season).

Sarracenia alata, Black-red form from Mississippi.

This beauty is our clone #95-01, which reaches about three feet tall. The pitchers start yellow-green with red veins and become dark maroon with age and strong sunlight. Experiments at Botanique have shown that an acidic soil mix with abundant tannins produces the deepest red pigments in this and other Sarracenia. It is likely that iron availability is part of this observation.

We've used this plant extensively to create new, beautiful hybrids.

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