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Sarracenia oreophila



Sarracenia oreophila is a rather strange species, under extreme threat of extinction. It occurs in mountain seeps, often in heavy soils. It is unlike the other species of the genus in having a distinct seasonal variation in growth habit. In spring the plants produce a typical crop of upright pitchers, but in summer (usually late july for me) the plants switch to the production of leaf like phyllodes with a distinctive scimitar shape, that overwinter.
The species is slightly seperate from the other members of the genus. Genetic studies have shown that although the species stands slightly apart from the other species in the genus, there is not a great genetic distance between them. One consequence of this slight isolation is significant in cultivation. Hybrids involving Sarracenia oreophila show significant heterosis (hybrid vigour), in a way that is not seen between the other seven species. Hybrids with Sarracenia oreophila tend to be taller and broader in the pitcher and lid than expected, and more vigorous in growth. This makes it a rewarding parent to use, at least in the first generation.

Five locations have been recorded for the species historically. Two now remain.

Northern Tennessee

In 1935 a single plant was found, and taken into cultivation, in northern Tennessee. It was believed to be Sarracenia oreophila at the time, but was lost before it flowered and the identity could be confirmed. The species has never since been seen there.

Elmore County, Alabama.

The presence of Sarracenia rubra ssp alabamensis has added complexity to the records of plants from Elmore County, but photographs of the genuine plant growing in situ have been located in the USA. A single plant from the population is still in cultivation. The population in the wild was wiped out in the 1970's. (Phil Sheridan, pers.com.)

North East Alabama.

The largest population of the species occurs on the Sand Mountain plateau in north east Alabama, where the species is declining. It does not seem to extend over the state line into Tennessee to the north. I also believed that it did not cross the state line into the Sand Mountain in North West Georgia , but I understand that a small population has now been confirmed.

Cherokee County
  • Sarracenia oreophila O-1-TS
  • Sarracenia oreophila O-7-ST
  • Sarracenia oreophila O-8-MK
  • Sarracenia oreophila O-9-JA

    • Dekalb County
  • Sarracenia oreophila O-3-TS
  • Sarracenia oreophila O-5-MK
  • Sarracenia oreophila O-6-MK
  • Sarracenia oreophila O-27-JC.
  • Sarracenia oreophila OR-10-RVL

    • Marshall County
  • Sarracenia oreophila O-2-JA
  • Sarracenia oreophila O-3A-MK
  • Sarracenia oreophila O-003-JA.
  • Sarracenia oreophila O-6-ST

    • Sand Mountain (Unspecified county)
  • Sarracenia oreophila O-03-PJG
  • Sarracenia oreophila O-7-NO
  • Sarracenia oreophila O-8-AB
  • Sarracenia oreophila O-17-DCB
  • Sarracenia oreophila O-18-DCB
  • Sarracenia oreophila O-19-DCB
  • Sarracenia oreophila O-25-JC.
  • Sarracenia oreophila SO-04-AS

    • Taylor County, Georgia.

    An herbarium specimen of Sarracenia oreophila from Taylor County was collected by Neisler, and is now stored in the Gray Herbarium. The plant has not otherwise been found in the County , and subsequent researchers have been unable to locate any population. It is assumed that these plants are now extinct. Thanks to Phil Sheridan, Director of the Meadowview Biological Research Station for clarifying the status of this record. (but see Sarracenia oreophila O-4-PM , below)

    North East Georgia.

    In the 1980's, a new population was discovered in north east Georgia, in Towns County. It was later confirmed that the population extended slightly into North Carolina. I am assuming that my plants from Georgia originate in this population, but I have very little location data associated with them.
  • Sarracenia oreophila O-4-PM
  • Sarracenia oreophila O-5-JN
  • Sarracenia oreophila O-16-MK
  • Sarracenia oreophila O-22-MS
  • Sarracenia oreophila OR-0402-PW.
  • Sarracenia oreophila SO-09-AS.

    • North Carolina

    The population in North East Georgia spills slightly over the state line into Clay County, North Carolina.

    Clay County
  • Sarracenia oreophila O-15-MK

    • Other Forms.

    I collect up clones of Sarracenia oreophila wherever I can get them, in an attempt to identify and retain in cultivation as much of the available genetic diversity as possible. In the process, it is possible that some of my accessions are actually of the same clone. Hopefully, these duplications will eventually become clear. It is unfortunate that many of these plants have lost their original collection data or source. Most plants probably originate from wild collections made since 1970 (or thereabouts). There was very limited interest before then. It is still just about possible that someone will recognise some of these clones, and be able to supply more information about their history. It would be very gratefully received.
  • Sarracenia oreophila O-01-PJG
  • Sarracenia oreophila O-02-PJG.
  • Sarracenia oreophila O-6-AS
  • Sarracenia oreophila O-10-MK
  • Sarracenia oreophila O-10-SJ
  • Sarracenia oreophila O-11-MK
  • Sarracenia oreophila O-14-MK
  • Sarracenia oreophila O-20E-DCB.
  • Sarracenia oreophila O-20H-DCB.
  • Sarracenia oreophila O-20I-DCB.
  • Sarracenia oreophila O-20L-DCB.
  • Sarracenia oreophila O-21-PJG
  • Sarracenia oreophila O-23-CK.
  • Sarracenia oreophila O-24-JC.
  • Sarracenia oreophila O-26A-JC.
  • Sarracenia oreophila O-26B-JC.
  • Sarracenia oreophila O-26C-JC.
  • Sarracenia oreophila SO-01-AS
  • Sarracenia oreophila SO-02-AS
  • Sarracenia oreophila SO-03-AS
  • Sarracenia oreophila SO-05-AS
  • Sarracenia oreophila SO-06-AS
  • Sarracenia oreophila 'Cheek Clone' O-201-JA