I have found rubras to be really under appreciated in cultivation. Sarracenia rubra is difficult to classify, since some say that the simmilar small red flowers make the, the same species, with several subspecies.
The Format I Use
- S. alabamensis
- S. alabamensis subsp. wherry
- S. jonesii
- S. rubra
- S. rubra subsp. gulfensis
- S. rubra subsp. rubra
In cultivation, it seems that rubras are under appreciated due to there smaller size and really floppy pitchers in the spring and early summer. In the fall, when the plants are at there prime, they are amazing. I have found each one has a distinctive shape that I find very delightful.
S. alabamensis
This is a nice rubra. It has really floppy spring leaves, semi floppy summer leaves, and beautiful fall leaves. The leaves can reach a height of over a foot tall and can have feint areolations. They also can develop a nice golden color.
S. alabamensis subsp. Wherry
This subspecies looks like a smaller and a more plain, not as shapely alabamensis, but is more common in cultivation. My clone, from Chatom, Alabama, can reach much greater heights then normal for the species. My clone also has a fall flower growing.
S. jonesii
This is a rare plant found in only a few counties in north and south Carolina. Like other rubras, this species has floppy spring leaves and nice shapely fall leaves. This species has a bulge in the upper part of the pitcher, giving the leaf a unique shape.
S. rubra subsp. gulfensis
This plant is the largest rubra. It can get up to 2 feet tall. My clone came from california carnivores. It seems like this subspecies does not have as big a difference between the spring and fall leaves. My clone currently has one new leaf that is towering abouve all the other and is still growing. It also has a odd coloring pattern, where only the top half of the inside of the lid has red coloration.
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