Yellow Pitcherplant
Sarracenia flava
- Native to:
- United States, Virgin Islands
Tim Ross
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Sarraceniaceae
- Genus:
- Sarracenia
- Species:
- Sarracenia flava
- USDA Symbol:
- SAFL4
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
black-headed pitcher plant moth (Exyra nigrocaput), Pitcher Plant Moth (Exyra fax), Pitcher Plant Moth (Exyra semicrocea), Tarachidia semiflava
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Exyra ridingsii, Pitcher Plant Moth (Exyra semicrocea)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Fire helps maintain open, sunny conditions in its bog habitat; plants resprout after fire.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- nutrient-poor, acidic, sandy peat
- pH:
- 4.5 - 5.5 (acidic)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Prefers boggy, wetland conditions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold stratification for 60-90 days; germination occurs in warm, moist conditions.
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.
Notes: Seeds require light for germination; do not cover.
Source: Claude AI
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Sheffield's Seed (seeds)