In the middle of a bog in the New Forest...

[Deer Stalker]

In amongst the Cross-leaved Heather, Bog Myrtle, Bog Asphodels & Sundews is this great monster.....







........ a Pitcher plant....and it has babies close by.......

[mrs fish]

Very unusual and interesting looking but I have no idea what it is

[Deer Stalker]

Hi Mrs Fish.

Its a type of carniverous plant called a Pitcher plant, not sure which one though.
They usually live in places like the Tropics but somehow this one's become naturalised in this bog.

[Gill Catton]

firstly, wow bog myrtle I love that plant such a beautiful fragrance (BTW please folks don't buy for your bog garden unless you know it's from cultivated stock) and secondly.... Wow a pitcher plant!? do we have native pitcher plants? or has someone stuck this here randomly?

[Deer Stalker]

Originally Posted by Gill Catton

do we have native pitcher plants? or has someone stuck this here randomly?

None native, but its been there a few years. Its doing quite well & its spreading...there's a few smaller 'satellite' plants a few meters away.

There's also a Venus Flytrap in one of the other bogs a couple of miles away. Might go look for that one next....

[ceterach]

Hi

Nice pictures! It is almost certainly Sarracenia purpurea, not from the Tropics but from bogs along the the eastern side of the USA. It is perfectly hardy in this country and I gather has become a bit "invasive" in one or two bogs in Ireland

All the best

John

[Deer Stalker]

Originally Posted by ceterach

Hi

Nice pictures! It is almost certainly Sarracenia purpurea, not from the Tropics but from bogs along the the eastern side of the USA. It is perfectly hardy in this country and I gather has become a bit "invasive" in one or two bogs in Ireland

All the best

John

Cheers for the info John.

[ollyk]

I agree with S. purpurea as I have one on my windowsill upstairs, amongst other plants.
Strictly speaking it should imediately be uprooted as they are invasive unlike the odd venus flytrap that really struggles outside in our climate. I know in Cumbria there is an active program to destroy purpurea as they cause harm to other native species. They are suprisingly succesfull!
I would say if anyone does pull it up they should give it a new home!

[Hornbeam]

Magnificent plant! I am all in favour of new species enlivening our somewhat dull "native" flora. Immigrant plants are rather like immigrant people - they add rather than detract. So I would cherish this carnivore just as much as I cherish the Himalayan balsams, giant hogweeds, rhododendrons and all the other comparitively new arrivals.

[AlanS]

Originally Posted by ollyk

I agree with S. purpurea as I have one on my windowsill upstairs, amongst other plants.
Strictly speaking it should imediately be uprooted as they are invasive unlike the odd venus flytrap that really struggles outside in our climate. I know in Cumbria there is an active program to destroy purpurea as they cause harm to other native species. They are suprisingly succesfull!
I would say if anyone does pull it up they should give it a new home!

I would hope that any control programme is one that has been agreed with the land owner and appropriate conservation groups.

We do not need botanical vigilantes taking unofficial action.

Plant introductions are a complex problem at times, and we should not overlook the possibility in some cases that naturalised populations are of scientific or conservation importance.

Alan