The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-08-16
The Pitcher Plant.
From the PhIlade,nhla press

fIoiu lHe EHlldue4phla ITesS.
The strange growths known as pitcher
plants have attracted the attention of trav-
eers in distant lands. but IT is seldom that
one is seen in this country. Yet a variety
of pitcher plant, known as Saracenia pur-
purea, has been recently introduced which
is one of the hardest and best sorts, and
adapted to general culture in our climate;
and a blooming variety is now on exhibit
non at an enterprising florists. The pitch
ers, which are also the leaves, are from
eight inches to one foot in length, and nre
deep red. or red and green, deeply veined
| and variegated. They generally contain
more or less water, which Is stored up for
the use OF the plant, and when filed each
one Will contain gOod-sized teacupful
OF water. Each pitcher has large we'll
defined and handsomely shaped spout. The
plants like a damp, moist situation, par
TALLY shaded, and are also successful
as house plants, affording a never-ending
source Of interest, and curiosity; yet they
are said to be quite hardy, and Will live
through the winter in their outdoor beds
with slight covering of leaves.
The pitcher plant which comes from the
Island of Java-the Nepenthe distilla-
toria-grows in the most stony and arid
situations In its native country, where
ii would wither and perish If It were not
for its peculiar formation, which holds the
water necessary for its development
At the foot-stalk OF each leaf and near
the base is attached a small bag, shaped
like a pitcher, of the same consistence and
color as the leaf In the early stage Of Its
growth, but changing with age to a red
dish purple. 1t is grit around with a lid,
neatly fitted and movable on a kind Of
strong hinge or fiber, which, passing over
the handle Of the pitcher, connects the
vessel with the leaf. BY the contraction
of the fiber the lid is drawn up whenever
the weather is showery, or the dew falls.
This appears to be exactly contrary TO
what usually happens in nature though
the contraction is probably OccasiOned by
the hot and dry atmosphere. and the ex-
pansion of the fibers does not take place
until the moisture has fallen and saturat-
ed the pitcher When the pitcher Is filed,
and the f1bers expand, the cover falls down
evaporation. From these pitchers the plant
derives all the moisture required for
growth or development during the excess
sVe drouths peculiar to that country.
The water, being gradually absorbed
through the handle into the foOtstalk,
gives vigor TO the leaf and substance to
the plant. As soon as the water in the
pitcher becomes exhausted the lids again
open TO admit any moisture that may fall
and when the plant has produced seed,
and the dry season fairly sets in, IL with
ers with all the covers Of the pitchers
standing wide open.
Although the pitcher plant Just describ-
ed-the Nepenthes distil,atoria-is the most
commonly known. several other varie-
ties have been discovered and introduced
into this country during recent years, and
the genus is distributed throughout BOrneo
Sumatra and islands of the Indian Arch
ipelago. A variety that has recently been
discovered-the Nepenthes ampuHacea-is
one OF the finest. Its pitchers being nearly
twice the size of the distlllateria. Another
very curious and handsome species has
two kinds of pitchers. those on the lower
leaves being bladder-shaped with two
fringed wings in front, about four inches
long by two wide, and beautifully spotted
with rich brown; while those on the upper
leaves are less beautifully colored. great
deal longer and funnel-shaped, narrowing
gradually to the base where they curve
gracefully upward. In their native country
these pitchers grow large enough 20 hold
from half a pint 10 a quart of water