Red-pigmented:
The Sarracenia here were more advanced in development than the plants
at the other site. Beth and I wasted no time in generating cheap and shoddy theories to explain the differential;
perhaps the increased growth was because of the enhanced moisture, or it might have been due to
some chemical signals released in the recent burn. Freedom from hard data can be a glorious thing for theoreticians!
This plant has had time to
produce nice pigmentation. If this plant stopped its coloration development at this point, it would be what some
horticulturists call "cut-throat" because the lid is red on the underside (especially visible on the shortest
pitcher). It looks, though, like this plant is probably going to continue its
pigmentation development, and may become dark red
throughout. Carnivorous plant enthusiasts sometimes call such plants "red-black Sarracenia alata." Some lazy
horticulturists use bizarre pseudo-Latin names to say the same thing, I guess to give the designations the appearance
of authority, but without going through the actual process of establishing such names according to botanical code so such
authority would actually be merited. Uh oh, I feel a rant coming on! Breathe, Barry, breathe. Find your center...
