Spotlight on Sarracenia x courtii

Sarracenia x courtii is a hybrid carnivorous plant resulting from a cross between the two species Sarraceniapurpurea and Sarracenia psittacina. It retains the very distinctive shapes and growth habit that easily distinguish it from most other plants of the genus, which are much more upright and taller. It is found in the wild, in areas where the parent species grow together.

A fully expanded rosette of Sarracenia x courtii is broad, with leaves that generally lie on the ground or overlap one another, and can measure up to 20 cm in length. With plenty of sun, as is to be expected, they are initially red and slightly veined, then take on an intense purple hue as they mature. These leaves are strange, cone-shaped structures, slit open at the tip to let hungry insects in and then lose them in the darkness!

This hybrid stands out from most other Sarracenias in winter, as it retains almost all of its foliage intact, just as in summer, as can be seen in the photo! However, its growth has come to a halt. To the touch, the pitchers feel very leathery, with extremely tough tissue. There is no doubt that this plant is well-equipped to withstand harsh conditions – a trait inherited from its robust parent, S. purpurea, and likely enhanced by the famous ‘hybrid vigour’.