Purple Pitcher Plant

Description:

Carnivorous "insectivorous" plant native to the eastern United States and parts of southern Canada. Low ground hugging traps open upwards to catch rain water making "pools of death" for any insect that is drawn to the traps by their red color or smell of nectar. The insect either lands on the peristome (lip) of the trap and falls inside due to the waxy surface while looking for the nectar which the plant uses for bait, or lands on the inside of the collar (lid) of the trap where downward pointing hairs make it difficult for the insect to climb up, forcing it to climb down towards the trap or forcing the insect to lose its footing altogether and tumble into the water below. The plant then absorbs the nutrients from the bug through the inside surface of the leaf.

Habitat:

Nutrient poor, acidic, damp soil.

Notes:

Not native to my area. This plant is part of my personal collection.