Pitcher Plant

July 26, 2016

Pitcher plant carnivorous Saco Heath 062516 72 (2)

Photographer: John Stetson
Summary Author: John Stetson

This pitcher plant (Sarracenia purpurea) appears among the sphagnum moss in the Saco Heath in eastern Maine. This heath is a raised, coalesced bog, according to the Nature Conservancy. Such bogs are known for being very acidic and nutrient-poor. The carnivorous pitcher plant gets much of its nutrition, but not energy, from consuming insects attracted to its flower-like leaves, which appear deep red or purple in mid-summer. Photo taken on June 25, 2016.

Photo Details: Camera Model: NIKON D300; Lens: 105.0 mm f/2.8; Focal Length: 105.0mm (35mm equivalent: 157mm); Aperture: ƒ/22.0; Exposure Time: 0.0040 s (1/250); ISO equiv: 200; Software: Adobe Photoshop CS4 Macintosh.