Carnivorous Plant Newsletter
Volume 38, Number 2, June 2009, pages 56 - 58, back cover

New Cultivars

Submitted: 5 December 2008

Sarracenia ‘Kilimanjaro’ (see Figures 1 and 2) is the result of my crossing a pretty Sarracenia (psittacina x rubra) x leucophylla hybrid with one of my strongest S. leucophylla plants. This is a strong-growing cultivar with erect leaves reaching 61 cm (24 in). Since it is three-quarters S. leucophylla, it is similar to that species in form and general aspect with the same white markings. It is distinguished by being about 25 percent shorter, by having a hood that is relatively wider and flatter, and, most of all, by having a more compact and profuse branching structure, which, combined with exceptional vigor, results in a profusion of leaves and flowers. The flowers are red, within the range of S. leucophylla. As one would expect with this parentage, this cultivar reaches its vegetative peak in late summer and fall. At the end of the growing season, leaves are often strongly blotched with pink.

Sarracenia ‘Kilimanjaro’ originated from seed that I sowed in December 1997. The plant was named by me in September 2005. To me, it seems both lush and rugged, green below and white above, like the mountain for which it is named.

To maintain these desirable characteristics, this plant should be reproduced only by vegetative means.

— JERRY ADDINGTON • Courting Frogs Nursery • Stanwood, WA • USA

Figure 1 (left): Sarracenia ‘Kilimanjaro’ mature pitchers. Photo by Jerry Addington.
Figure 2 (right): Sarracenia ‘Kilimanjaro’ young pitchers. Photo by Jerry Addington.

Submitted: 5 December 2008

Sarracenia ‘Tapestry’ (see Figure 3) is one of several outstanding seedlings from a cross I made in May 1996 between a Sarracenia oreophila x purpurea hybrid with a large ruffled hood and one of my first Sarracenia leucophylla plants.

The young leaves of Sarracenia ‘Tapestry’ are green. The oversized ruffled hood and upper pitcher tube are liberally patterned with red veins and white areoles. The pitcher throat, lip and pronounced lip-spout are dark red with a red line extending from the spout down the entire length of the tube. As leaves age, reds become deeper and the deep red throat and lip become red-black. The flowers are a dusky red-pink. The summer leaves reach 46-56 cm (18-22 in) in height. Winter leaves are green with a red line down the flat inner side of each leaf and grow to 15-20 cm (6-8 in) high. As the plants multiply, they make a nicely compact clump; one of the plant’s ornamental traits.

As I observed this plant over several years, it occurred to me that it was like an abstract tapestry, woven with luxurious color and intricate pattern. In September 1998, I named it ‘Tapestry’.

To keep the special qualities of this plant, reproduction should be done by vegetative methods.

— KAREN OUDEAN • Oudean’s Willow Creek Nursery • Snohomish, WA • USA

Figure 3: Sarracenia ‘Tapestry’ pitchers. Photo by Karen Oudean.

Submitted: 07 August 2008

Sarracenia ‘Opawa Emperor’ is a superb form of Sarracenia flava var. cuprea with prominent red veining and an elegant pitcher shape (see Figure 4). This particular plant has been in my collection for over 20 years where it dominates the collection due to its sheer size and unique characteristics.

The plant was obtained as one of three S. flava seedlings from the sales table at a meeting of the New Zealand Carnivorous Plant Society in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 1984. As the seedlings matured, all were found to be different and I labelled them as Flava Type 1, 2 and 3. Type 3, when fully mature and grown under good light conditions, exhibited the characteristics of the special S. flava form that I have called the ‘Opawa Emperor’.

The mature plant has pitchers of 80-90 cm (31-35 in) in height with an almost perfectly round mouth of up to 90 mm (3.5 in) from lip to lip. New pitchers have a distinct copper blush to the top of the lids which extends, under good light conditions, to the top of the pitcher (see Back Cover). Sharply defined red veining is prominent on the top and inside the lid which also extends down the pitcher. The apiculate tip of the lid extends vertically and straight for 8-10 mm (0.3-0.4 in). Another characteristic is the prominent red vein which runs around the top of the lip. The ala has a red outer edge which extends the full length of the pitcher. The throat has the prominent red splotch typical of S. flava var. flava and S. flava var. rugelii; the splotch is surface pigmentation as it does not extend though to the outside. The top of the pitcher is highly flared with a very large rolled lip which is pale yellow in colour. The pitcher is a paler green than S. flava var. maxima. In late summer, the lid loses its copper coloration and becomes butter yellow between the venation.

Another interesting feature of this plant is that it is the first of all of my Sarracenia to flower; at least a week in advance of others. The flowers are typical S. flava size and colour, and are extremely odorous. The sepals have similar coloration to the petals and have faint red veining. The petals are slightly spear-shape and remain flat until they drop. The plant readily sets seed although I have never attempted to raise it from seed so cannot say whether self-pollinated seed breeds true. I have always propagated by rhizome division. To maintain these desirable characteristics, this plant should be reproduced only by vegetative means.

The plant is very vigorous and produces pitchers continuously through spring and summer; in late summer phyllodia appear. The spring pitchers tend to be the largest.

Collectors of Sarracenia in New Zealand are a relatively small group and most Sarracenia species can usually be traced to importation prior to CITES. There is no record of this plant in the 1983 and 1988 plant survey lists of the New Zealand Carnivorous Plant Society and I can only assume that the true origin of this plant is unknown. My research shows there are no other plants of this form in New Zealand collections other than a small number supplied by me. This is a spectacular plant and is the first plant that visitors to my collection notice due to its ”wow” factor and virtually perfect form. Whilst I have many other varieties of S. flava in my collection this one stands head and shoulders over them; when seen en masse it is a truly magnificent sight.

I have named this plant the ‘Opawa Emperor’ as Opawa is the area of Christchurch where I live and Emperor due to its regal and majestic stature.

— MIKE GILSON • Christchurch • New Zealand

Figure 4: Sarracenia 'Opawa Emperor' pitchers. Photo by Mike Gilson.

Back Cover: Sarracenia 'Opawa Emperor' pitcher lid. Photo by Mike Gilson.