SPECIAL ISSUE - Aipc

• Sarracenia rubra subsp. jonesii f. viridescens S. McPherson & D. E.
Schnell, f. nov.
The forma epithet is derived from the
Latin viridescens (becoming green), and
refers to the fact that this taxon is incapable
of producing red anthocyanins. As a result,
all parts of its leaves and flowers appear yellowish
green. In all other respects, including
size and proportions of the leaf, this form is
identical to Sarracenia rubra subsp. jonesii.
by Stewart McPherson
The upper parts of the pitchers are often
faintly areolated, giving rise to irregular
patches of pale tissue, much like that seen in
S. rubra subsp. gulfensis f. luteoviridis. It may
also occur on the column and lid to varying
extents, but the degree to which it is expressed
differs greatly between individuals.
Sarracenia rubra subsp. jonesii f. viridescens
is reliably distinguished from
S. rubra subsp. jonesii by the
colouration of its foliage and
inflorescence; in the latter,
the petioles, rhizome scales
and petals always bear some
red colouration, whereas in
this form they are consistently
yellowish green.
Unusually, S. rubra subsp.
jonesii f. viridescens originally
formed significant stands,
outnumbering the typical
form in some localities. It
is at least as vigorous as the
typical variety, reproducing
readily through sexual and
asexual means. Poaching for
horticulture in the Carolinas
has wiped out the population
in Pickens County, and those
in Henderson County are
close to extirpation, mainly
through illegal poaching and
displacement resulting from a
lack of wildfire activity.
Description:
McPherson, S., D. E.
Schnell (2011). In Appendix
of S. McPherson, D. E.
Schnell (2011), Sarraceniaceae
of North America: 759.
45 - AIPC Special Issue n. 4