International Carnivorous Plant Society

Sarracenia ‘Tornado’ was created in May 1983 by crossing a very dark red (black-red) form of S. alata with an maternal parent hybrid developed at Botanique nursery. The maternal parent is a deep red, velvety-textured hybrid selection of S. (leucophylla x purpurea) x S. alata (the S. alata in this cross is also a dark red clone). Thus, the derivation of S. ‘Tornado’ is: S. ((leucophylla x purpurea) x alata) x alata. I performed the pollination in hopes of improving the shape and vigor of the maternal parent, which has a huge open mouth that is prone to rain damage. The overarching lid character of S. alata successfully was transferred to several selections from this cross, one of which is S. ‘Tornado’, selected and named in November of 1989.

S. ‘Tornado’ pitchers emerge green, flushed with red and red veins and showing white and pink spots. The pitchers quickly become nearly black-red, without the irregular coloration problems found in many S. alata clones. The upper one half to two thirds of each pitcher matures essentially all black-red without noticeable contrasting venation. The dark red color mixes with green in the lower section, then quickly becomes nearly all green at the bottom of the leaf. Many pitchers are produced throughout the season, each being somewhat flattened, along the front to rear centerlines. This creates an oval cross section, near the mouth. Mature pitcher height is about 61-66 cm (24-26 inches). A dark red lid covers the wide, slightly pouched pitchers and inhibits rain entry and breakage; this lid is usually reniform and can reach 9 cm (3.5 inches) across on taller pitchers.

Flower petals are pink. However, only one flower has been observed so far, due to several late-season frosts which damaged developing buds. The one flower was not particularly noteworthy, but future flowers will be examined to present a more detailed description.

Because of the unique color and complex parentage, this hybrid must be vegetatively propagated. Botanique plans on putting S. ‘Tornado’ into tissue culture as soon as possible.

Plants of this cultivar are sold under the trade-mark Sarracenia ‘Vortex’™

ROB SACILOTTO • Stanardsville, VA • USA

Figure 1. Sarracenia 'Tornado'

Sarracenia leucophylla ‘Cronus’

Received: 21 December 2001

Sarracenia leucophylla ‘Cronus’ was selected from numerous seedlings resulting from crossing plants originally from Seminole Co., FL with plants originally from Baldwin Co., AL. I performed this pollination during May 1981 in Greene County, Virginia. By crossing from two different population areas, I hoped to achieve some plants with increased vigor. Reemay (R) bags were used to regulate pollination. In November of 1985, the largest of the seedlings from the above breeding was named Sarracenia ‘Cronus’ for its unusually large size and vigorous growth. Botanique first offered this cultivar for sale in January of 2001, two years after having established it in tissue culture. The first public offering appeared in the Botanique web site (http://www.pitcherplant.com) where a color image also appeared.

Sarracenia leucophylla ‘Cronus’ has produced fall pitchers over 96.5 cm (38 inches) tall. The mouth typically is 6-9 cm (2 1/2--3 1/2 inches) across. The upper pitcher shows more white than many forms of S. leucophylla, with deep red veins dividing the white background. The rim of the mouth is white, with reddish marbling. Because the lid is adequately large and angled over the mouth, rain is less likely to damage the pitchers than it may with many open mouthed forms of Sarracenia. Despite the very dramatic pitchers, the flowers are not significantly different from the wild forms, being medium red and about 6.3-7.6 cm (2 1/2-3 inches) across and in height (sepal to distal tip of petal). The flower stem is a bit shorter than normal, typically reaching 25-36 cm (10-14 inches). We have observed that this plant is not a good seed producer (often, few or no seeds form in the pods). In order to maintain the complex characteristics of this cultivar, vegetative propagation is needed to multiply it.

We have observed this cultivar to grow faster than most other Sarracenia, when shifting from tissue culture (flasks or test tubes) to marketable size (approximately a 3.8 liter (one gallon) pot). Due to quick size increase, it is recommended that S. leucophylla ‘Cronus’ be planted in containers or gardens at least 30 cm (12 inches) deep and spaced at least 41 cm (16 inches) from other plants. In plantings with other S. leucophylla types, S. leucophylla ‘Cronus’ has consistently grown larger than these other types, in identical situations. As with most S. leucophylla, the largest and showiest pitchers are produced in late summer to fall.

Plants of this cultivar are sold under the trade-mark Sarracenia ‘Titan’™

ROB SACILOTTO • Stanardsville, VA • USA

Figure 2. Sarracenia leucophylla 'Cronus'

Sarracenia ‘Fireworks’

Received: 21 December 2001

Sarracenia ‘Fireworks’ was one of the hybrids I created by crossing a female S. rubra subsp. jonesii x purpurea with pollen from a heavily red-pigmented form of S. leucophylla. The pollination was performed in May of 1977, with seed produced that same fall. Pollination was controlled using Reemay® bags to prevent random outcrossing. The seed was germinated in the George Mason University greenhouse, Fairfax County, VA, in late December of 1977. These seedlings were not given a dormancy until worthy seedlings were identified in 1979, 1980 and 1982. I am evaluating other plants from this breeding and hope to register additional selections in the future.

I named S. ‘Fireworks’ in May of 1979. At an early age, this hybrid displayed many desirable qualities in the pitchers, and was selected for further evaluation and retention in my collection. As the plant matured, its features became more apparent, and the first flowers appeared in 1983. By this time, the plant had been transferred to Botanique, in Greene County, VA. Here, many divisions were eventually made. After establishing the plant in tissue culture, divisions were offered for sale in March of 2000. Plants were also sold in early 2001. An image of the pitcher and flower was posted in the Botanique web site (http://www.pitcherplant.com) on March of 2000.

The pitchers are usually 15.2--25.4 cm (6--10 inches) tall, with a ruffled lid. The lower half of the pitchers are green with red veins. The upper portion is mostly white, with deep maroon veins. The lip is usually deep maroon. A maroon flushing, on the inner ala and lid, is most intense near the mouth, and fades to white with red veins toward the distal portion of the inner lid. Red pigments are most vibrant in mid to late summer. The widest point of the pitcher, excluding the lid, typically ranges about 2.5--4 cm (1--1 1/2 inches).

S. ‘Fireworks’ performs well in the garden by producing many pitchers throughout the growing season. The lid is angled to assist in keeping rain out of the pitchers. Flower color is a deep burgundy red, without noticeable odor. These appear above developing foliage on strong stems, averaging 31--36 cm (12--14 inches) tall. The influence of S. rubra subsp. jonesii is apparent not only in the flower color, but in the growth habit of making many crowns in a short time. The many crowns, or “leads,” create a foundation for a beautifully lush display of flowers and pitchers. Pitchers and flowers often appear simultaneously, especially on established plants. Phyllodia (flat leaves) are rarely produced. This hybrid must be propagated vegetatively in order to maintain its complex characteristics.

Plants of this cultivar are sold under the trade-mark Sarracenia ‘White Sparkler’™

ROB SACILOTTO • Stanardsville, VA • USA

Figure 3. Sarracenia 'Fireworks'

This page is maintained by Robert Ziemer,