Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Sarraceniaceae

Genus:

Sarracenia

Species:

Sarracenia purpurea

USDA Symbol:

SAPU4

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Forb/herb

Height:

45 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

Low

Bloom Months:

apr,may,jun

Bloom Colors:

purple, red, maroon

Wildlife Benefits

Caterpillars:

★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Reported Fauna Sightings

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

insects

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Tolerates periodic fire in bog and fen habitats; fire removes competing vegetation and can stimulate regrowth from rhizomes.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

acidic, nutrient-poor, peat-rich soil

pH:

3.5 - 5.5 (strongly acidic to acidic)

Drainage:

tolerates poor drainage

Moisture:

consistently moist

Notes:

Commonly found in bogs and fens.

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days

Germination Time:

14–60 days

Notes:

Seeds require light for germination. Sow on surface of moist peat and maintain cold stratification; germination can be erratic.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI