Carnivorous Plant Newsletter
Volume 22, Number 4, December 1993, pages 108

NEW CULTIVARS

A New Cultivar of Sarracenia Leucophylla Raf.

--- Ron Determann • Atlanta, Georgia • U.S.A.
--- Madeleine Groves • Kew Surrey • England

During numerous field trips over the last two years to a variety of Gulf Coast carnivorous plant sites, it has come to our attention that an outstanding monstrose form of Sarracenia leucophylla Raf. merits recognition.

Sarracenia leucophylla 'Tarnok'

Pitcher colour, size and shape are typical for this species. The flower exhibits a proliferation of tepals (undifferentiated petals and sepals) arranged in whorls. The outermost whorls of tepals display less mutation than the innermost whorls. The innermost whorls, which are normally represented by the style umbrella and stamens, are highly mutated, often fused with separate ovaries and have deeply incised v-shaped stigmatic clefts. The stigmatic lobe is often missing or is found attached to reduced or modified tepals which resemble filamentous stalks. The tepals are green in colour at the base, gradually changing to a deep red/maroon and are persistent throughout the growing season.

Etymology: Named in honour of Mr. Coleman Tarnok who discovered this cultivan.

This cultivar was found 20 years ago by Coleman Tarnok in the Perdido region of Baldwin County, southeastern Alabama, U.S.A. He has since returned to this site, but has been unable to locate any similar specimens.

Mr. Tarnok placed this specimen in his carnivorous plant bog which he began creating on his land in Mississippi 20 years ago. Originally, this site contained only bay and Sarracenia alata Wood. With the aid of winter burns, adjustments to the drainage, and the good fortune in having superb soil for the cultivation of carnivorous plants, he has created a naturalistic and diverse paradise for this cultivar to thrive in (See plates 1 & 2).

Other plant species found in and around the bog include: Rhododendron viscosum (L.) Torr.; Drosera filiformis var. tracyi (Macfar.) Diels.; D. capillaris Poir.; D. brevifolia Pursh.; D. intermedia Hayne; Dionaea muscipula Ellis ex L.; Sarracenia flava L.; S. minor Walt.; S. purpurea ssp. venosa; S. rubra ssp. wherryi (Case & Case) S. leucophylla Raf.; S. alata; Platanthera integra (Nutt.) Gray ex Beck; P. ciliaris (L.) Lindl.; P. blephariglottis (Willd) Lindl.; P. blephariglottis var. conspicua; Calopogon pallidus Chapm.; C. tuberosus (L.) BSP.; C. barbatus (Walt.) Ames; Pogonia ophioglossoides (L.) Ker-Gawl.

Mr. Tarnok and his son Richard Tarnok must be commended for their horticultural knowledge and skills and their dedication to sharing this information with interested parties.

This cultivar is an ideal candidate for introduction into horticulture and micro propagation and is at present under cultivation at Atlanta Botanical Garden, Georgia, U.S.A.

Plate 1: S. leucophylla ‘Tarnok’.

Plate 2: Large clone of this cultivar.