Date: Fri, 22 May 98 16:18 EDT From: dave evans <T442119@RUTADMIN.RUTGERS.EDU> To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg1746$foo@default> Subject: Re: Sarracenia fluid levels...
> Recently someone posted a message about having to fill his/her Sarracenia
> pitchers with water. Is this necessary for species other than S. purpurea?
> I've noticed a few drops of liquid at the bottom of me S. flava and none in
> my S. rubra, but both seem to trap and digest insects just fine. What's up?
>
> Gary
>
Dear Gary,
First, please keep in mind that _Sarracenia purpurea_ is by definition
not a full blown carnivorous plant. It has no digestive enzymes of it's
own and must rely on other organisms to breakdown prey so it can receive
nutrition from prey. Given that, it seems to have evolved to provide a
good place for it's "helpers" to live, and I guess that also includes
all the water they enjoy keeping in their pitchers. And if they do need
that much water, of course the leaves must be short and squat or they
would tip over, doing no good for the plants or the creatures living in
symbiosis with it.
The other Sarracenia don't need that much water since they are so much
better at digesting prey with minimal help compared to S. purpurea.
Sounds good to me... ;) What do you think?
Dave Evans
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