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Originally Posted by newbud  Wow what an unusual orchid. It almost doesn't even look like an orchid. And carnivorous to boot. Is that a terrestrial environment? Where is their natural environment. Gosh you learn something new here everyday. Thanks Geeks!!! |
It is not an orchid at all, this section of the forum is for plants that are not orchids, this is a carnivorous plant of the genus Pinguicula. This species Pinguicula primuliflora is native to the southeastern portion of the United States, it grows primarily in nutrient poor bog like conditions. It is terrestrial, it grows succesfully in peat moss, sand, perlite, amongst other aggregates, it can also grow in pure long fiber sphagnum moss, which is what I have it growing in. It is in a terrarium and I water as needed with distilled water, or RO water if I am desperate.
Pinguiculae form a diverse genus of carnivorous plants, that exist in a range of conditions. The term 'Pinguicula' is Latin for greasy, roughly meaning little greasy plant. As an aside, a pinguecula is an eye condition of the sclera that has a similar greasy appearance. The plant had evolved its carnivorous status as a means to adapt to the nutrient poor conditions in which it grows, by trapping insects and digesting them, they extract their needed nutrients, curiously enough if you provide the plant with a nutrient rich growing media, it will likely burn the roots and cause the plant to grow poorly or die (this is a shared trait amongst almost all carnivorous plants). The plant's leaves are covered in trichomes which secrete a mucilaginous substance as well as several digestive enzymes, the mucilaginous substance is responsible for trapping the insects, as they land they become stuck to the leaf and are unable to move, the digestive enzymes then digest the insect slowly and the digested insect is absorbed by the leaf. The chitinous hull of the insects remains on the leaf until it is washed off or the leaf dies from age. It is believed that insects are attracted to the leaf in search of water to drink, but instead become trapped and are digested.
If you are intrigued by what you have read, I encourage you to look into carnivorous plants further, after orchids they are my other horticultural passion. The orchids are unsurpassed in beauty, but to me the carnivorous plants are much more interesting (from an academic perspective). I am by no means an expert on either family of plants, but I am always available to answer questions or point you in the right direction if you want information on them. Incidentally, they make great companion plants for orchids because they require the same high humidity that orchids need, but many need more light, but you can get away with growing most in Oncidium or Cattleya light levels. Plus they help keep insect populations down. Pinguiculae and Droseras are pretty good against fungus gnats.
Justin
01-30-2012, 10:27 PM
Trying not to "Go Postal" since 1985
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