_CARNIVOROUS PLANTS CARE AND CULTIVATION_ by Marcel Lecoufle. I tend
to question some of the text however. I say that for a couple
reasons; 1) D. spatulata is spelled *spathulata* consistently
throughout the book when that species is referenced. Dave Purks and
others own a copy of this plant and I have a tendency to trust their
spelling. 2) The book implies that S. purpurea is also the same thing
as the S. venosa? I may just be wrong, perhaps I really don't
understand the caption beneath the (beautiful) picture. For example,
the caption reads: Sarracenia puprurea var. venosa, one of the natural
variations of S. purpurea to be found in the wild; x 0.8.
I guess I won't be the only one to elucidate, but as I understand it
S. Purpurea is divided into two ( or more? ) subspecies/varieties
( I'm not sure which - there seems to be a divergence of opinion.) these
are S. Purpurea 'purpurea' and S. Purpurea 'venosa'. The main difference
seems to be that 'venosa' is more bulbous below the mouth of the pitcher,
while 'purpurea' is proportionally narrower. Also the exterior surface of
the pitchers is different, 'venosa' being much rougher to the touch than
'Purpurea'. Just to add to the confusion, S.P.P is found in both acid
and marl ( alkaline, ) bogs, and it's alkaline form is considered by some
to warrant the varietal name var. riplicola.
And then there's S. Purpurea 'purpurea' f. heterophylla - but I think I'll
pass on that one in the interests of clarity and let sleeping bogs lie :)
I tend to favour 'spathulata', but I've seen it both ways - anyone know
if either is 'more correct'? ( My latin is kinda rusty. )
It is a very good book - if you like photos you might also want to check
out Gordon Cheers' _CARNIVOROUS PLANTS OF THE WORLD_ ( published by Letts,)
also filled with excellent photos.
regards,
Peter Cole ** SWANSEA @ WALES ** Beware of the Venus Cat Trap !