Family:  Sarraceniaceae
Scientific name:  Sarracenia purpurea
Common name:  Northern purple pitcher plant

Native of:  North America

Greenhouse location:  Room F

Sarracenia purpurea, the only pitcher plant of its genus native to cold climates, can survive subzero temperatures during dormancy.

S. purpurea's rainwater-filled traps are low to the ground and catch small insects who fall in and sink to the base of the trap where they drown. As with other pitcher plants, this species' traps are lined with downward facing hairs to prevent prey from escaping. A new pitcher produces digestive enzymes to process the prey; however, as a pitcher ages into its second year, digestion of prey is aided by a community of bacteria living within the pitcher.

The plant produces flowers that are held above the foliage to avoid the pollinator from becoming prey.