Carnivorous Crimson Pitcher (Sarracenia Leucophylla)

Sarracenia leucophylla is easy to recognize because of its deep crimson flowers and the red-veined white tops of its pitcher leaves.

Sarracenia leucophylla is now classified as an endangered species. It grows on acid white sand areas that occur as openings among pine groves, along eastern Gulf Coast areas from Louisiana to the Florida panhandle. It occurs as plants with several leaves, not dense clusters of lines.

The deep crimson flowers of Sarracenia leucophylla have large petals that hang downwards. Also show in this picture are a young unopened leaf, at left, a mature leaf next to the flower stalk; and a dying leaf, below at the left.

The pitcher leaves of Sarracenia leucophylla are very narrow, gradually flaring upwards. The leaf at left is unopened. The leaf in the middle shows the lid overarching the throat of the pitcher. In many leaves, the lid has a diagonal or even upright position rather than overarching the pitcher throat. Notice in the center of the flower, there is a slightly lighter-colored umbrella-like structure surrounded by the petals.