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A genus of 7 spp. and several ssp. of rhizomatous perennial, growing along the Southern and Eastern US coasts for some distance inland as far north as the Hudson Bay in Canada. All are easily grown in a 2:1 peat:sand mix, standing in 1" water in full sun, and many are fully hardy in the UK. Although there are only 7 species and a few subspecies, thousands of hybrids exist, as all crosses result in fertile hybrids displaying a predictable merging of the characteristics of the parent spp. and pronounced hybrid vigour. Propagation by seed is productive but slow (typically 4-5 years to flowering size,) or rhizome division - just cut pieces off the rhizome that have both growth point and roots, and pot up separately. All species and forms are to some extent threatened or endangered in the wild, some extremely so.

Tall, well-veined pitchers to 30 inches, and yellow flowers in the Spring. Large specimens make excellent wasp traps, capable of devouring hundreds or even thousands of flying beasties over the course of a summer!

Tall and slender, predominantly yellow pitchers, some forms growing to over 3 feet in height, the pitcher mouth more widely flared than in S.alata, and the column pronouncedly reflexed and more or less veined or blotched with red. Yellow flowers in the Spring with a strong, musty scent. Hardy down to -15C at least, making an excellent pond marginals provided a little protection from high winds, which may otherwise knock the pitchers over.

Distribution: USA Slender, mostly green pitchers to as much as 3 feet or more, topped with white sufused by a lacy network of green/red veins and a much-frilled lid. Sweetly-scented red flowers in the Spring. Truly a beautiful plant. Hardy but slow to reestablish in the Spring if overwintered outdoors, so it's advisable to protect from the worst of the winter cold.

Coppery green pitchers, typically 6-9 inches in height but some forms much taller, with cowled lids resembling hunched 'monk' figures. The lid and back wall of the pitcher have irregular windows (areoles,) of clear/white tissue in them that serves to disorientate insects that have been lured into the entrance, so that they fall into the pitcher traps. Pale yellow-green flowers in the Spring. Half hardy.

Green pitchers, often lightly to heavily veined and tinged with copper, typically up to 30" in height. Grows in much drier conditions than the other spp. in the genus, often drying out completely in the summer and going dormant. Produces phyllodia (curved, flat non-trapping leaves,) at the beginning and end of its growing season. Very heavily endangered in the wild. Pale yellow-green flowers in the Spring. Half hardy.

Decumbent pitchers to 8 or 9 inches long, the hoods inflated and inturned to resemble a lobster pot. These plants like very wet conditions, and have been noted as having the ability to trap small invertebrates while completely submerged. Strong red veining throughout and deep red, sweetly scented flowers borne in the Spring makes this a very attractive addition to any collection. Several giant forms and variations of flower colour (yellow, green, orange, pink,) are known. Half hardy.

Decumbent pitchers curved upwards with widely flared lids, in strong light becoming a deep burgundy throughout. Sweetly scented pink to burgundy flowers in the mid to late summer. Extremely hardy to at least -25ºC. An anthocyanin-free (all-green,) form (f.heterophylla,) exists, as well as several other forms. Superb pond marginals, keeping their foliage well into the next Spring.

This sp. has been introduced to several locations in Europe (Ireland, Scotland, Lake District, Switzerland,) since the beginning of the 20th century, where it is now thriving.

The southern subspecies - pitchers more bulbous, lids more crenellated. Not quite so hardy (but OK down to -12ºC or so,) and flowering in the Spring to early Summer. Slightly hairy exterior pitcher walls, compared to the perfectly smooth ssp.purpurea.

Lightly veined, stocky pitchers up to 20", with wavy lids. There are small areoles (clear windows,) in the lid and neck of the pitcher similar to those found in S.minor.

The tallest of the S.rubra subspecies, growing to well over 12". Usually more strongly veined than ssp.rubra, but also very variable. A giant form, growing to 24", exists in cultivation but is now believed extinct in the wild.

A stocky plant, more heavily veined than ssp.rubra, and bearing proportionally larger pitchers. An anthocyanin-free (all-green,) form also exists.

Typically characterised by small, red pitchers up to 9" tall with darker red veining and a short pointed lid. Other forms exist that are taller or shorter, or have longer lids, and much hybridisation has occurred with populations of the other subspecies in some locations, resulting in a wide range of pitcher shape and colour. Red, sweet-smelling flowers.

Distinguished from ssp.rubra by the light veining on a green background, and coppery lid. Flower colour is quite variable, ranging from yellow through orange to red. A giant form ("Chatom Giant",) is known, growing to 18"+