Description of Sarracenia alata var. cuprea (Deer Park, Washington County, Alabama)
Sarracenia alata var. cuprea (Deer Park, Washington County, Alabama) is an uncommon copper-lidded form of the pale pitcher plant from the Gulf Coast of the United States. Considered one of the rarest forms of Sarracenia alata, Sarracenia var. cuprea is characterised by the warm copper and bronze pigmentation that develops across the upper surface of its lid.
This Deer Park form is relatively compact, with mature pitchers typically reaching around 10 inches (25cm) in height. The traps are upright and slender, with a narrow base that gradually widens towards the mouth. The tubes remain predominantly green to yellow-green, crossed by fine red to brown veins that become more prominent towards the upper pitcher.
The lid is the main feature of this variety. It is elongated and gently arches forward over the pitcher opening. As the trap matures, the upper surface develops warm copper, bronze and reddish-brown tones, contrasting with the greener tube below. The colour can become richer under strong sunlight, particularly along the lid margins and central vein.
The throat and inner surface of the pitcher show a network of dark red to brown veins against a yellow-green background. These markings become denser towards the neck, while the lip can develop a reddish-brown edge. A fine covering of short hairs gives the pitchers the slightly velvety texture associated with Sarracenia alata.
In spring, this Deer Park form produces pale yellow flowers, sometimes showing a faint pink or bronze tint around the outer petals.
Plant photos above are of our Sarracenia alata var. cuprea (Deer Park, Washington County, Alabama) mother plants. Divisions are taken from the mother plants and are planted into 9cm pots to be sold. Division sizes can vary greatly and will always be sent largest first. If you'd like to know the size of a plant before ordering, please feel free to contact us.