Carnivorous Plants Website
Carnivorous Plants in the Wilderness
by Makoto Honda
 
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Sarracenia minor                                                                                                                                           © 2009 Makoto Honda. All Rights Reserved









S. minor forms a well-developed hood over the pitcher opening.  The inner surface of the hood is heavily lined with deep-red venation, creating a bright red illumination for the ceiling.  The back of the upper area of the pitcher has numerous patches of small windows totally void of chlorophyll.  These white areola, called fenestrations, are designed to brighten the pitcher interior.  These light windows also form a deceptive exit for the potential prey, already inside the hooded dome or resting at the rim of the pitcher opening.

If you were an unfortunate insect having found yourself at the bottom of the hooded pitcher, this might be the last scene you remember in this world, as you look up from the depth of the dark pitcher bottom....


 

C.............
 

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