Sarracenia purpurea, or The Purple Pitcher plant is native to the eastern U.S. as well as the Great Lakes region and eastern Canada. It is the only species of Sarracenia that thrives in a cold, temperate climate. The species is made up of two sub-species, S.purpurea-purpurea and S. purpurea-venosa. S.p.purpurea the more cold hardy and requires a dormant period. S.p.venosa thrives in warmer climates.
The pitchers of S. purpurea are semi-recumbent, lying horizontally on the ground. Like other members of the Sarracenia the pitchers trap insects and other invertebrates in a pool of water that contains both enzymes and a community of bacteria that help digest the prey. S. purpurea grows in nutrient poor bogs and obtains it’s nutrients from the prey it digest. The flowers are beautiful crimson color.