>What I would like to know (i.e. to ask you, Jos & Juerg) is if the
>"pitcher" is really formed by lateral coalescence of leaf margins
>(reminiscent of the pitcher structure in _Sarracenia_) or if it is perhaps
>resulting from peltation (like in e.g. _Cephalotus_). This would be
>important because presently it is generally assumed that the traps of
>_Genlisea_ and _Utricularia_ are formed by peltation rather than lateral
>margin coalescence.
>So if it is possible, please try to examine or remember if there are signs
>of a "wing" or whatsoever reminiscent of leaf margin rudiments on the upper
>(adaxial) surface of the _Pinguicula_ pitchers.
I'll send pictures of the malformation to you (Jan) an Rick (for the Web).
As I once had observed a pitcher-shaped leaf also in a wildland specimen
of Primula auricula as well as in a garden cultivar of Silene I think this
malformation phenomenon to be widespread in different plant species with
similar leaf morphology. I did not pay more attention to it than just
taking some macroscopical photographs. I realize that ethanol-preservation
and microscopical examination of the leaves would have been worthwhile.
Next time when it happens I'll send you (Jan) the material for further
research.
___________________________________________________
Dr. Juerg Steiger, Institut fuer Aus-, Weiter- und Fortbildung IAWF
University of Bern, Inselspital 37a, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland
Office: +41 (0)31 632 98 87, Home: +41 (0)31 972 19 79
Fax: +41 (0)31 632 98 71, E-mail: steiger@iae.unibe.ch
Web: http://www.iawf.unibe.ch/index.htp