SPECIAL ISSUE - Aipc

• Sarracenia purpurea subsp. venosa var. venosa f. pallidiflora S.
McPherson & D. E. Schnell, f. nov.
The forma epithet “pallidiflora” (with pale
flowers) refers to the pallid petals of this
plant. Sarracenia purpurea subsp. venosa var.
venosa f. pallidiflora is genetically incapable of
producing red anthocyanins; all parts of the
foliage and inflorescence are yellowish green
in colour, except for the petals, which are
white, cream or pale, yellowish green. The
petals often lighten as they age and can appear
white before they wither. In all other
respects, this form is morphologically and
ecologically identical to S. purpurea subsp.
venosa var. venosa.
Sarracenia purpurea subsp. venosa var.
by Stewart McPherson
venosa f. pallidiflora is reliably distinguished
from S. purpurea subsp. venosa var. venosa by
the colour of its foliage and inflorescence.
The petioles, rhizome scales and petals are
always yellowish green to white, whereas in
S. purpurea subsp. venosa var. venosa, even
plants growing in heavy shade produce
some red pigmentation.
Only a few examples of S. purpurea
subsp. venosa var. venosa f. pallidiflora
have ever been discovered, all of which
were raised in cultivation from seed
derived from heterozygous plants. No
examples of this rare form have ever
been found in the wild, and although it
may well exist in nature, it is likely to be
extremely rare.
Description:
McPherson, S., D. E. Schnell (2011).
In Appendix of S. McPherson, D. E.
Schnell (2011), Sarraceniaceae of North
America: 756.
42 - AIPC Special Issue n. 4