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Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Pitcher Plants

 There are 6 different genera of carnivorous plants with a total of 45 species in the United States. These carnivorous plants can be categorized into 5 basic types, flytraps, bladderworts, butterworts, sundews and pitcher plants. Of these five basic type only the the Venus Flytrap is not found in the Big Thicket of Texas. On a recent trip to a couple of units of the Big Thicket National Preserve I was able to photograph some pitcher plants. The species of pitcher plant that grows in this area is Sarracenia alata, commonly known as Yellow Trumpets or Pale Pitcher. Unlike the other types mentioned pitcher plants are passive since they do not use movement in the capture and digestion of insects. Pitcher plants capture insects by luring them to the mouth of the trap color, nectar, and sent. Once they land on the lip and venture into the mouth, the insects slip on the waxy inner surface. As the insects slide down the funnel they are further impeded by downward pointing hairs lining the lower portion. Eventually ending up in the bottom of the pitcher where they drown in fluid the contains digestive enzymes. The digestive enzymes decompose the body so it can be absorbed, leaving only the exoskeleton.

Sarracenia alata
Sarracenia alata


Sarracenia alata
Looking inside the funnel of Sarracenia alata

Sarracenia alata
Immature leaf of Sarracenia alata.  
The bug eating pitchers are not the only unusuall part of Sarracenia alata. The Pale Pitcher plant has a large greenish-yellow, downward hanging flower. The flower has five large sepals that form an umbrella over the flower and the five petals droop between the spaces of the style. The style forms a sort of upside-down umbrella that catches the pollen, which is scattered by the wings of bug that enter.

Sarracenia alata flower

Sarracenia alata flower


Sarracenia flower, cutaway view, with english ...
Sarracenia flower, cutaway view, with english labels of anatomical parts (Photo credit: Wikipedia)



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Sunday, March 18, 2012

Spring Wildflowers

Indian Paintbrushes and Texas Bluebonnets - Bl...

Indian Paintbrushes and Texas Bluebonnets - Bluebonnet Season 2011 (Photo credit: Texas Bluebonnet Sightings)

Well it's that time of year again. Spring is only a couple of days away and people will be traveling to Texas from all over to view the beautiful display of spring wildflowers. With the drought we have been having the display last year was a bit disappointing.  Fortunately we have been having a good bit of rain over much of the state this winter and temperatures have been mild. Hopefully this year will be much improved over last year. Weather you are from Texas or out of state you might want to plan ahead to find out where the best displays are. Here are a few websites to help you plan your trip.

http://texaswildflowerpictures.com/update.htm
http://www.lone-star.net/wildflowers/sightings.htm
http://www.texasbluebonnetsightings.com/
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