Northern Pitcher Plant
Sarracenia purpurea

The northern pitcher plant is a MD native robust wildflower that measures approximately 20-60 cm. in height. As evidenced by its name, the northern pitcher plant is best characterized by its pitcher-shaped, hairy, leaves. This plant produces a single, red, nodding flower that rests atop the terminal shoot of a thick, leafless stalk.

Northern pitcher plant is a CARNIVEROUS wildflower. The pitcher-like leaves collect rainwater and excrete digestive chemicals. When insects attracted to the colored lip of the leaf walk into the structure, they become trapped by the downward pointing hairs, eventually drown, and are digested by bacterial and enzymatic action in the water solution. The northern pitcher plant then absorbs the resulting nutrients.