About Sarracenia jonesii Wherry
Sarracenia jonesii Wherry is a stemless, herbaceous carnivorous perennial. This species grows to a height of 21 to 73 centimeters and requires full sunlight to thrive. It produces hollow, narrow tubular green pitchers marked with maroon veins, topped with a horizontal lid that keeps excess rainwater from entering the tube. The waxy, slippery sides of the pitcher trap insects that it lures in with its colorful leaves and sweet scent. Nectar from the plant paralyzes captured insects, and digestive fluids inside the tubular leaf break down the insects so the plant can absorb their nutrients. Its flowers are typically maroon, 5-petaled, and globular, with a fragrant scent. Fragrant single flowers grow on erect scales from April to June, and seed production occurs in October. This species is endemic to North Carolina and South Carolina in the United States, where it occurs in mountain bogs along the border of the two states. It grows preferentially in depression bogs and cataract bogs.
