Family Sarraceniaceae

Family Sarraceniaceae

The Family Sarraceniaceae contains the New World pitcher plants. There are three genera and about 15 species. At the beginning of each growing season, leaves grow upwards from a short underground stem and form into vase-shaped pitchers. Insects are attracted to secretions from the pitchers and the unfortunate creatures which fall into the trap are prevented from climbing out by downward-pointing hairs. Fluids inside the pitcher digest the insect and parts that are not absorbed remain in the trap until the plant dies down at the end of the growing season. [CH] {EN}