Plants from the Sarratsin family are rightly called predator plants. They are able to catch insects and small animals with the help of specially adapted leaves. Digestion of prey occurs with the help of enzymes. This is an additional source of nutrition, without which the growth and development of plants can not fully pass. Consider what is sarrasenia, her description and classification.
Family: Sarrasenie
Due to their relatively wide distribution and large size, sarrasenie are among the most common insectivorous plants. The Sarratseniyev family unites three kinds of close carnivorous plants:
- genus Darlingtonia (Darlingtonia) Includes 1 species - darlingtonia californian (D. californica);
- genus Heliamphorus (Heliamphora) includes 23 species of South American plants;
- genus Sarracenia (Sarracenia) includes 10 species.
Darlingtonia Californian grows in the marshes of North America and has a long stem. Its trap leaves resemble the shape of a cobra and can be yellow or red-orange in color. The top of the plant has the shape of a jug of light green color in diameter up to 60 cm. The plant emits a sharp odor that attracts insects. Once inside the trap, the insect cannot escape and is digested by the sap of the plant. In this way it replenishes the necessary nutrients that the soil does not contain.
Rod Heliamphorus combines plants called marsh or solar water lilies that grow in Venezuela, in western Guyana, northern Brazil. They are distinguished by relatively small flowers in the inflorescences. As a result of evolution, plants of this genus learned how to get useful substances by killing insects and controlling the amount of water in their traps. Most species of this genus use symbiotic bacteria for digestion of prey, and Heliamphora tatei produces its own enzymes. George Bentham in 1840 described the first species (H. Nutans) of plants of this genus.
Genus: sarratseniya
Sarracenia is a plant with brightly colored trap leaves that resemble flowers. They are large, solitary, and their shape has an extension at the top. A purple-red pattern on a green or yellow background and a fragrant smell attract insects. Each part of the sheet has its own functional features. Outside is a landing site for insects. Further in the mouth are nectar glands.
Scientists have proven that epidermal cells in the lower part of the water lily have the ability to secrete antiseptic substances.
The inner part is covered with sharp hairs pointing down. This allows the insect to easily get inside, but then it is hard for him to get out of there. The lower part of the flower is filled with a liquid in which it sinks. Plant cells produce digestive enzymes. There is also another kind of cells that absorb split elements. Thus, the plant replenishes its tissues with reserves of nitrogen, calcium, magnesium and potassium.
Birds use these plants as troughs, pecking out non-decaying insects. Some insects have adapted to life inside sarrasenia water lilies. They release substances that resist the digestive juice of the plant. These include night moth and its larvae, meat fly larvae, wasp spax, which is able to build nests inside.
Types of sarracenium
Consider the main types of sarracenia, which are cultivated and have found their place on the windowsills of our apartments.
Important! It is impossible to feed a plant with fertilizers, it can die. Feeding is necessary to carry out only small insects.
Sarracenia white-leaved (Sarracenia leucophylla)
This species grows in the east of the northern part of the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. It is a very gentle and elegant plant. Water lilies covered with a grid of red or green laces on a white background. During the flowering period the plant is decorated with purple flowers. Prefers swampy terrain and humidity of 60%. Since 2000, protected as an endangered species.
Important! Reproduction of sarration with seeds must take place after a cold stratification of 4 to 8 weeks, otherwise they will not sprout.
Sarracenia psittacin (Sarracenia psittacina)
In nature, it grows in the north-southern states of America and to the south of the Mississippi. The lamina of the plant has the shape of a claw and a dome-shaped visor. Water lilies of this species are bright red, almost black. The lid covers the funnel and does not allow it to fill with rain water. It grows in the lowlands, where there are flooding during heavy rains. Hood does not protect under water. The lid creates a narrow entrance channel leading into a tube covered with hairs. A mini-trap is formed for tadpoles. If they swim in, they can't get out. The only way is forward, to the bottom of the funnel. The plant prefers a bright light and can grow as a home plant on the western or southern window sills.
Sarracenia red (Sarracenia rubra)
This sarration is a rare species. Plant height - from 20 to 60 cm. A distinctive feature is the presence of red lips. It attracts insects. The color of the leaves smoothly changes from red-burgundy to bright red. In spring, the plant blooms with small bright red flowers that have dangling long petals.
Did you know? Watering the plant at home is necessary that the soil does not dry out. For this, the pot can be put in a pan with moist expanded clay. Spraying sarratseniyu impossible, because the sheets remain stains.
Sarracenia purpurea (Sarracenia purpurea)
In nature, it grows in eastern America and Canada and is a common species. This species was introduced into the marsh of Central Ireland and well caught. The plant has purple or greenish-purple flowers growing in spring and a pleasant aroma of violets.
The leaves of the trap of the purple purpurea are often submerged in the moss. therefore prey plants become not only flying insects, but also creeping. Rainwater does not affect the effectiveness of digestive enzymes.
The unusual nature of sarration of purpurea is that it does not produce enzymes for digesting prey, but is still a predator. On its lid nectar is produced and hairs grow. But she needs help to digest prey. Caught insects drown and go to the bottom. And there the snake-like larvae of the Metrioknemus mosquito eat them, dropping small particles into the water. Above them are the larvae of the mosquito Vayomaya. They suck up small particles and create a stream of water. The larvae secrete waste products into the water, which are absorbed by the plant. The natural environment is unique because both species of larvae are found only in such plants.
Sarracenia yellow (Sarracenia flava)
The plant was first described in 1753 by the Swedish scientist Carl Linnaeus. In nature, it is found in the United States on porous soil and in swamps.
Sarratseniya yellow has leafy water lilies of bright green color with red veins, on which ribs 60-70 cm high are outlined. Yellow flowers with a sharp unpleasant odor are placed on the wilting peduncles. The flowering period is March-April. Jugs have a horizontal lid, which prevents water from getting inside. Nectar has a paralyzing effect on insects. At home, with abundant watering and proper care, the plant can live without top dressing by insects.
Did you know? In the leaves and ground organs of some types of sarracenium, an alkaloid sarracenin was found, which is successfully used in medicine.
Sarracenia minor (Sarracenia minor)
This species was described in 1788 by Thomas Walter. A relatively small plant, 25-30 cm tall, with a green jug color and with a reddish tinge at the top. Flowering occurs in March and May. Flowers are yellow with no smell. More attractive is for ants. This plant has a hood in the upper part that covers the trap jug. But from this his trapping ability does not decrease. In the canopy there are thin translucent areas. They are designed to disorient the insects. When they want to fly out of a water lily, they fly into the light and hit the closed window and fall back into the liquid again.
Some types of sarrasenium were grown as a houseplant in pre-revolutionary Russia, but after the revolution, many private collections were destroyed. Today, breeders are working to develop more bright new varieties. With good care, the plant can please you with flowers.
