The Purple Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia purpurea), sometimes knowns as the ‘Northern pitcher plant’ is the only sub-species of pitcher plant found in Canada, so colloquially it is also often only referred to simply as a ‘pitcher’ plant. This plant is one of a number of ‘carnivorous’ plants that are found in Canada and is the ‘Provincial Flower’ of Newfoundland and Labrador. The plant will grow into a water collecting jug or pitcher shape, the scent and colouration of this stage of plant growth helps attract insects who become trapped in the water which has a mixture of natural sugars and enzymes that break down and melt the prey and feed the plant. Finally the plant transforms to the flower seen here to help attract pollinators to enable plant reproduction.
