Sarracenia L. (Sarraceniaceae)

Sarracenia is represented by six native and one introduced species (i.e., S. leucophylla) in North Carolina. Two species are currently federally listed: S. jonesii (E) and S. oreophila (E). Sarracenia minor (S2 G4T4) and S. purpurea var. montana (S1S2 G5T1T2; see further discussion on the merits of this taxon below) are currently listed as state endangered.

Federally listed taxa—

Sarracenia jonesii
(Fed E, State E | S1 G2)

Habitat. Mountain bogs and streamsides on granitic rockfaces.

Range. Endemic to southwestern NC and northwestern SC.

Notes. There has been much disagreement over the taxonomy of the S. rubra complex, to which S. jonesii belongs (see McDaniel 1971; Case & Case 1976; Schnell 1977; Neyland & Merchant 2006; Mellichamp & Case 2009). Oswald et al. (2011) found the pollen morphology of S. jonesii to be significantly different from that of S. rubra s.s., supporting the treatment of the former as a distinct species.

Additional resources.
NHP | Recovery plan

 Sarracenia oreophila
(Fed E, State E | S1 G2)

Habitat. Seepage bogs.

Range. Endemic to a small range from northeastern Alabama to southwestern North Carolina.

Additional resources.
NHP | Recovery plan | 5-yr review

Key to Sarracenia in North Carolina

Key adapted from Weakley (2008). Photos by Krings, unless otherwise indicated. Maps courtesy of USDA PLANTS and the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program.

1. Pitchers mostly decumbent; lateral wing of the pitcher very prominent; petals maroon to pink...S. purpurea (excl. S. rosea)

1'. Pitchers erect; lateral wing of the pitcher generally not prominent; petals maroon, red, or yellow...2.

2. Pitchers with white (or whitish and translucent) patches near the summit of the pitcher and behind the orifice and/or on the hood...3.

3. Hood erect or ascending; petals maroon...S. leucophylla

3'. Hood arching horizontally over the orifice; petals pale lemon yellow...S. minor

2'. Pitchers lacking white or translucent patches near the summit of the pitcher...4.

4'. Petals yellow; pitcher hood 4–10 (–14) cm wide...5.

5. Phyllodia (nonpitcher leaves) many per plant, forming a rosette, 5–18 cm long, strongly curved, usually curving 45–90 degrees; scapes taller than the pitchers; Mt...S. oreophila*

5'. Phyllodia (nonpitcher leaves) rare, only a few per plant (if present at all), 12–30 cm long, straight to slightly curved; scapes shorter than the pitchers; Pd, CP...S. flava

4'. Petals maroon; pitcher hood < 4 cm wide...6.

6. Scapes about the same height as the pitchers; hood ascending, leaving the orifice exposed, 1.5–6.5 cm long, 2.0–5.4 cm wide; orifice 2.8–4.2 cm wide; Mt...S. jonesii*

6'. Scapes 1.5–2× the height of the pitchers; hood horizontal, held closely over the orifice, 0.7–4.5 cm long, 0.7–3.9 cm wide; orifice 1.5–3.5 cm wide; CP...S. rubra