Darlingtonia Californica ‘Green And Red’

Darlingtonia californica is a unique, carnivorous plant; the only species within its genus. Like other pitcher plants in the plant family Sarraceniaceae, it catches and digests insects in modified leaves holding liquid with special enzymes. This is to compensate the lack of nutrients in the soil of its natural habitat. The top end of the pitcher is bowed down so that the entrance of the pitcher is facing down. The upper end of the pitcher contains light penetrating windows in order to confuse the insects flying into the pitchers. The bifid appendages under the end of the pitcher serve most probably the same function, although this is not scientifically confirmed. The ‘Green and Red’ variety is unique because of the contrasting color pattern of the pitchers. From the base the plant is a bright green, sometimes with some hints of yellow. Gradually to the top, the color shifts to a deep burgundy, starting with a network of ‘veins’. In between the bright white to yellow windows, the burgundy color is most intense, as with the bifid appendages. The flowers of this plant are carried by relatively long flower stalks. Sepals are white to light green, where the petals are dark red. This plant is propagated by carefully dividing mature plants. Make sure that every division contains a healthy number of roots.