Purple pitcher plant
- Pronunciation
- /PURP-ul pit-cher PLANT/
- Category
- Botany
- Singular
- Purple pitcher plant
- Plural
- Purple pitcher plants
Definition
A carnivorous plant species, Sarracenia purpurea, that uses pitcher-shaped leaves to trap and digest insects.
Etymology
From the color of its leaves and the shape of its trapping structures.
Example
Purple pitcher plants thrive in nutrient-poor environments, where they supplement their diet by capturing insects.
Related Terms
- Carnivorous plant
- Sarracenia
- Pitcher plant
Usage Notes
The term 'purple pitcher plant' is often used to refer specifically to Sarracenia purpurea, although other species of pitcher plants are also found.