Endangered Sarracenia Ark

The Endangered Sarracenia Ark is a permanent ex-situ conservation collection of Sarracenia taxa that are critically endangered, extinct, near extinct or functionally extinct in the wild.

 

The purpose of the collection is to ensure the survival of the genetic diversity of the most imperilled Sarracenia taxa to stop extinction, maintain a viable breeding population and keep alive the hope of future reintroduction back into the wild.

Why are Sarracenia Endangered?

Sarracenia (also known as trumpet pitcher plants) are among North America’s most spectacular native plants.

 

The genus consists of eight species, all but one of which are endemic to the United States of America. The exception (Sarracenia purpurea) occurs in Canada and the French territory of Saint Pierre and Miquelon (near Newfoundland), as well as the USA.

 

All eight Sarracenia species exhibit exceptional diversity in their morphology and colouration, and each comprises a varied and complex array of infraspecific taxa (subspecies, varieties and forms).

 

Sarracenia form key components of wetland habitats, especially in the southern USA. Immense stands of Sarracenia formed “pitcher plant bogs” forming unique landscapes found no where else on Earth.

 

Sadly, the growth of agriculture, land drainage, surburban development and the use of herbicides devastated Sarracenia populations over the 19th and 20th centuries, and less than 2% of the original area of Sarracenia habitat remains. Unfortunately, even the remaining stands of Sarracenia are under pressure, and populations continue to be lost on an annual basis.

 

This is tragic because the genetic diversity and range of each taxon is already heavily eroded, and the continued loss exacerbates the situation. Many of the stands that still survive today are very small and their long term viability (especially in a hotter, drier climate) is doubtful.

 

Despite the massive impact, a few very extensive populations of Sarracenia do survive and will be permanently conserved in nature reserves (e.g. Apalachicola National Forest, Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve etc.). Several excellent initiatives to rehabilitate Sarracenia habitat and populations are underway, notably, Meadowview Biological Research Station ( visit www.pitcherplant.org ).

 

Unfortunately, poaching of Sarracenia plants and seeds continues to afflict many of the surviving populations and remains a significant threat. For the rarest taxa, poaching has been directly wiped out entire populations in the past (e.g. several stands of Sarracenia rubra ssp. jonesii).

 

For the more widespread species, poaching does not take place on a scale to jeopardise (e.g. S. purpurea), but since the perceived value of the infraspecies of Sarracenia varies greatly, specific taxa are often targeted (e.g. S. alata var. nigropurpurea), and in such case, the survival of those specific infraspecies in the wild may be jeopardised directly as a result of poaching.

 

The erosion of genetic diversity of Sarracenia species is tragic because many taxa comprise a beautiful spectrum of diversity, exhibiting very varied colouration (which often highly localised and profoundly different between populations), e.g. Sarracenia flava var. rubricorpora.

 

Six Sarracenia taxa are critically threatened in the wild, one of which (S. oreophila var. ornata) is already nearly extinct. See below.

 

 

Sarracenia leucophylla var. leucophylla f. viridescens

It should be noted, the Ark of Life team specifically differentiates between the taxonomic ranks of subspecies and varieties (which within the genus Sarracenia, are both used to discern taxa with stable traits that have evolved, e.g. distinctive pitcher morphology or specialised leaf colouration patterns) as opposed to the rank of forms (which in the genus Sarracenia, is used to discern traits that arise sporadically as a result of specific mutations, (e.g. a lack of red pigment)). In the case of forms, these traits may arise at random in populations, but are usually extremely rare overall.

 

For example S. alata f. viridescens, S. flava f. viridescens, S. leucophylla var. leucophylla f. viridescens, S. purpurea ssp. venosa var. burkii f. luteola, S. rubra ssp. gulfensis f. luteoviridis (and many other ‘all-green’ forms) are sporadic mutations (that result from pigment genes ‘switching off’). These forms may be extremely rare (in some cases, only ever observed once in the wild). Some of these may even be currently extinct in the wild, but may randomly re-emerge in populations, so are not included in the Ark of Life collection at the current time.

 

The subspecies and varieties of Sarracenia do not emerge randomly, but are derived from millennia of evolutionary processes as a result of isolated biogeography and other factors. As such, the Endangered Sarracenia Ark focuses on these subspecies and varieties, but as the collection expands, representatives of forms may be included in time.

 

Several further taxa are on the Ark of Life watchlist, including several other S. rubra subspecies as well as S. alata var. nigropurpurea.

SPECIES

Sarracenia leucophylla var. alba

Sarracenia leucophylla var. alba

This variety of S. leucophylla occurs only in southern Alabama at a handful of surviving sites. All known observations of this plant have been recorded from southern Alabama where this variety appears to endemically occur. In addition to occurring in diverse stands of S. leucophylla in Washington County, including the Deer Park populations where the neotype was collected, this plant also has been observed in at least three separate populations in Baldwin County (Stewart McPherson, pers. observ.). Although the most extensive stands of this variety have already been lost, including large populations at the now extirpated Hurricane Creek bog which once existed in Baldwin County, Alabama, S. leucophylla var. alba does occurs in at least two well-maintained protected preserves. Unfortunately, this plant is at extreme risk of poaching due to very high horticultural demand and its overall rarity in the wild. The few remaining stands of S. leucophylla var. alba need to be monitored closely and actively protected to prevent extirpation.

Sarracenia oreophila is the most endangered of all Sarracenia species. This species survives at only 22 sites across North Carolina, Georgia and Alabama. Many of the sites are dwindling and at risk of disappear-ing. Ongoing poaching, lack of wildlife activity and degrading bog hydrology (often due to the wide-reaching effect of falling water tables) are all contributing factors to ongoing decline.

 

Unlike the case for most Sarracenia, ongoing habitat destruction does not represent a threat to S. oreophila since all remaining sites are managed either by federal, state, or non-profit organisations and are protected by U.S. law. Many of these sites are privately owned, however in all cases the owners of the sites have agreed to management practices to protect this rare plant and other endangered biota. Despite the management policies in place, poaching remains a major factor in the decreasing numbers of this plant in the wild. Poaching S. oreophila plants contravenes U.S. law, and offenders are liable to suffer severe penalties.

 

Due to its limited distribution range and the small (and declining) number of surviving populations in the wild, S. oreophila is regarded as critically endangered with possible extinction, and is included both on appendix one of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and the U.S. List of Endangered and Threatened Plants.

 

All remaining populations of S. oreophila var. oreophila need to be monitored very closely and managed with a clear understanding of the ecological requirements of this unique species.

 

Cuttings or divisions of strains of S. oreophila var. oreophila that are already in cultivation are desperately needed to build the Endangered Sarracenia Ark to conserve the biodiversity of this plant (please contact Ark of Life for details).

SPECIES

Sarracenia oreophila var. oreophila

Sarracenia oreophila var. oreophila
SPECIES

Sarracenia oreophila var. ornata

Sarracenia oreophila var. ornata

Drosera regia is named from the Latin regius (royal) and is known as the king sundew for it produces among the largest and most spectacular leaves in the genus. Each leaf is sword shaped, up to 40 cm long, and highly mobile (both in terms to tentacles and the lamina), responding to trapped prey by slowly bending, twisting and even coiling.

 

This species can be considered a living fossil; it is the basalmost branching lineage of extant Drosera and it has many “archaic” characteristics not seen in most other members of the genus, especially not in combination. For example, creeping, horizontal rhizome, leaves without petioles and stipules, no gland dimorphism, and pollen with germ-pores covered by operculae. The latter link this species to the sister genera of Drosera, namely Dionaea and Aldrovanda.

 

This beautiful species has a highly localised range. It is endemic to the Bainskloof Range in South Africa. It is known from only a handful of small populations at montane elevations. At least one of these populations has been extirpated during recent years. Each of the surviving sites consists of a few hundred plants or less (some of the smaller sites comprise just a dozen or so specimens). The total wild population is thought to be a few thousand plants at most. At least one of the larger surviving stands appears to be in serious decline (Stewart Mcpherson, pers. observ. during regular visits between 2006 and 2017).

 

Drosera regia grows in permanently wet peaty soils of slopes drained with cool, seeping water. The habitat of D. regia is prone to occasional wildfires, and plants vigorously re-sprout from rhizomes and roots following fires, when competing surrounding vegetation has been burnt away. Without regular wildfires, its habitats are quickly overgrown, especially by vigorous rushes.

 

The survival of this species in the wild depends upon the maintenance of its fire-dependent habitat. It is easy to imagine this species being displaced relatively quickly if natural fire activity is suppressed for extended periods of time. Locals report the Bainskloof Range is becoming increasingly dry and historic evidence (e.g. photographs) seem to support this claim. A hotter, drier climate in South Africa could also seriously jeopardise the survival of D. regia by reducing the flow of seepage water upon which this species depends.

The montane sphagnous seepage bogs of the southern Appalachians are diminishing rapidly, both in number and quality, to the effect that Sarracenia purpurea ssp. venosa var. montana is now highly endangered in the wild and most populations face the risk of extirpation in the near future.

 

The loss of the habitat of this plant stems from systemic habitat destruction and degradation through construction activities, falling water tables and disruption of seepage water supplies, which cause drying of the habitat and displacement of Sarracenia purpurea ssp. venosa var. montana.

 

An increasing influx of nutrients from surrounding agriculture is also causing many bogs to become heavily overgrown with shrubs and trees which out compete S. purpurea ssp. venosa var. montana, and eventually replace it. The increase in undergrowth is often compounded by insufficient management policies, or no management policies at all, and a prevention of natural wildfire activity. Increased nutrient levels also often bring about the death of Sphagnum sp. with which S. purpurea ssp. venosa var. montana is associated.

 

Some bogs respond to correction of water supply and clearing with regrowth of suppressed or replanted of S. purpurea ssp. venosa var. montana (from cultivated material), and the Atlanta Botanic Gardens, and other conservation bodies are undertaking efforts to replant and recover degraded habitat areas.

 

Populations of Sarracenia purpurea ssp. venosa var. montana occur in at least one well managed, protected areas, namely the Chattahoochee National Forest, Rabun County, Georgia, however this and all remaining stands of this plant need to be monitored closely and guarded against poaching.

 

Despite its endangered status, S. purpurea ssp. venosa var. montana is included on appendix two of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). This needs to be updated to reflect the current reality.

SPECIES

Sarracenia purpurea ssp. venosa var. montana

Sarracenia purpurea ssp. venosa var. montana
SPECIES

Sarracenia rubra ssp. alabamensis

Sarracenia rubra ssp. alabamensis

Sarracenia rubra ssp. alabamensis is regarded as endangered with extinction, and is included both on appendix one of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and the U.S. List of Endangered and Threatened Plants.

 

In the early 1960s, there were nearly thirty locations for the plant, although some were small. Sadly, only twelve sites remain today, 5 locations in Autauga County, 5 locations in Chilton County, and 2 locations in Elmore County. The remaining populations range in size from 2 to 2200 square meters in area. Numbers of plants per site ranged from 8 to 2241, with a mode of 129-140, and half of all remaining plants were at one site.

 

Only four of the 12 sites have a population of 70 –300 plants, and 6 sites have a population of 2 – 20 plants each. Seed pods and seedlings were only seen in larger sites. The two largest sites were most comparable. One, the smaller was quite wet and had better seedling recruitment than the larger which was prone to severe dry-down during drought. Genets were mostly small.

 

Some are preserves that are owned directly by conservation organizations such as The Nature Conservancy, but most are privately owned and managed by conservation-minded landowners.

 

Many other sites formerly occurred in Alabama, but were deliberately destroyed by farmers who were fearful that the existence of a federally endangered species on their property would give the US government jurisdiction to prevent various land use practices. This notion was incorrect, but nevertheless has caused considerable damage to this rare plant.

 

Worryingly, past studies have noted no to very little seedling activity over the period of study, which is a dire signal. Taking into account annual rainfall, falling water tables and very low seedling activity, the lifespan of several sites is to be thought to be a few decades, unless the variables suddenly improve. See: Chesser, J. D., 2010, “Causes of site differences in seedling recruitment and population dynamics in critically endangered pitcher plant , Sarracenia rubra subspecies alabamensis”, PhD Dissertation. University of Mississippi, Oxford, and also see: Murphy, P. B., & R. S. Boyd, 1999, “Population status and habitat characterization of the endangered plant, Sarracenia rubra subspecies alabamensis”, Castanea 64: 101-113.

 

Although all remaining populations are under protection, most colonies of Sarracenia rubra ssp. alabamensis have survived only through the accident of habitat kept suitable through moderate pasturing by cattle. Should pasturing cease, the habitats would quickly return to brushy thickets in which, with modern fire protection, the pitcher plant colonies would be shaded out quickly. This remains true today, and it is of paramount importance that the last twelve populations of S. rubra ssp. alabamensis are protected rigorously and sustainably, to ensure the survival of this plant in the wild.

Sarracenia rubra ssp. jonesii survives at approximately ten sites in North Carolina (Henderson, and Transylvania Counties) and South Carolina (Greenville and Pickens Counties). All of these sites are small and difficult to effectively conserve.

 

The factors driving the loss of the habitat of this plant are essentially the same as S. purpurea ssp. venosa var. montana, and stem from the systemic habitat destruction and degradation through construction activities, falling water tables and disruption of seepage water supplies, which bring about drying of the habitat and displacement of this plant. Increasing influx of nutrients from surrounding agriculture is also causing many bogs to become heavily overgrown with shrubs and trees which out compete S. rubra ssp. jonesii, and eventually replace it. The increase in undergrowth is often compounded by insufficient management policies (such as regular, prescribed burns), or no management policies at all, and a prevention of natural wildfire activity.

 

Feral pigs have had a particularly large impact on a number of Sarracenia rubra ssp. jonesii sites (Barry Rice, pers. comm.). This animal’s rooting habits have caused tremendous damage to bog habitats, and is a major source of frustration to those working to protect this rare plant.

 

Poaching also remains a major threat to wild populations of this plant, and it is distressing that this imperilled species is targeted by poachers at the few sites where it persists in the wild. Poaching has directly caused the complete extirpation of at least one population of Sarracenia rubra ssp. jonesii (Barry Rice, pers. comm.), and remains a major factor in continuing decline of many other populations.

 

A small population of Sarracenia rubra ssp. jonesii in South Carolina was recently extirpated, most likely mainly through poaching. Fortunately, seed had previously been legally collected by Ron Determann as part of Atlanta Botanic Garden’s ex-situ conservation programme, and plants derived from the original stock have been successfully reintroduced at the site through the efforts of Ron Determann, Atlanta Botanic Garden and the South Carolina Heritage Program.

 

In North Carolina, the recently formerly best population of Sarracenia rubra ssp. jonesii occurred on a private farm in a cattle pasture near Etowah and to the west of Hendersonville in Henderson County. The bog occurred on a sloping field and was grazed by cattle, located near a large golf course which has unfortunately replaced other stands of this rare subspecies. The farm pasture location is well known, and was acquired by the Nature Conservancy, and has since been conserved. The cattle were promptly removed from the lower seep spring area of the pasture which supported the S. rubra ssp. jonesii, being fenced away from the bog to avoid perceived damage of the bog ecosystem.

 

Unfortunately, despite regular monitoring and attempts to keep the drying bog clear of competing foliage and efforts to trim nearby trees, the management policies were insufficient, and the foliage grew and trees continued to branch. Now, the extensive undergrowth has caused the bog to deteriorate greatly, and the original population of Sarracenia rubra ssp. jonesii has diminished greatly. The management practices put in place to conserve this site were greatly flawed, not least by the misunderstanding that cattle and deer have a necessarily negative impact on the bog preservation. Indeed, so far as Sarracenia and many other rare herbaceous plants are concerned, the opposite may be true. Cattle, deer and most other large herbivores do not graze Sarracenia, but rather play an important role in reducing competing foliage, weeding out competing and non native plant species. As a result of a likely ill-advised process, shrub and tree growth from margins proceeded apace. Sadly, Case & Case (1976) specifically warned against the risk of allowing accumulating overgrowth by preventing cattle grazing, and noted this to be a specific threat, both for S. rubra ssp. alabamensis and for this plant (see Case, F.W., & R.B. Case, 1976, “The Sarracenia rubra complex”, Rhodora 78:270-325).

 

Although trampling of Sarracenia plants by cattle was a reasonable concern, as the heavy animals do step on, and fracture the rhizomes of Sarracenia, this ultimately too is not necessarily negative since trampled, fractured Sarracenia rhizomes regenerate and bud rapidly, and may bolster overall plant numbers in the long run. This Henderson County bog is now in the final stages of decline, and its demise is very disappointing, since with basic understanding of Sarracenia, and more long-sighted management, this important population might easily have been sustainably preserved.

 

Meyers-Rice (2001) provides the most up to date enumeration of remaining wild populations of this plant, and records that Sarracenia rubra ssp. jonesii persisted at just ten sites one decade ago (see Meyers-Rice, B.A., 2001, “Rare Sarracenia poaching and the ICPS”, Carnivorous Plant Newsletter 20(2): 43-50).

 

The same source also states that a previously unknown site was discovered in the late 1990s, but was soon completely extirpated through poaching. Reflecting the critically rare and declining status of this plant, S. rubra ssp. jonesii is regarded as endangered with extinction, and is included both on appendix one of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and the U.S. List of Endangered and Threatened Plants.

SPECIES

Sarracenia rubra ssp. jonesii

Sarracenia rubra ssp. jonesii
SUPPORT

SUPPORT THE ENDANGERED SARRACENIA ARK

Donate funding to help Ark of Life expand this collection.

Donate cuttings or divisions of plants in your collection.

The Endangered Sarracenia Ark comprises the following genetically distinct strains. Each strain is labelled with a unique “asset number”. The asset number consists of 4 letters and numerals. Each asset number is unique to a specific genetic strain. If that strain is lost, the asset number is abandoned. Note: many of the accessions in the Endangered Sarracenia Ark entries have detailed data (from whence they originated), but this information is recorded privately and not released publicly to avoid driving poaching. All accessions have been obtained via divisions or cuttings of established plants in cultivation (in some cases, grown by horticulturists for 60 years or more). No wild-poached plants will be accepted into the Endangered Sarracenia Ark.

ASSET CODENOTES
SARRACENIA LEUCOPHYLLA VAR. ALBA
LEUA1Site 1
LEUA2Site 2
LEUA3No location data
SARRACENIA OREOPHILA VAR. OREOPHILA
OROR1Site 1
OROR2Site 1
OROR3Site 2
OROR4Site 3
OROR5No location data
SARRACENIA OREOPHILA VAR. ORNATA
OROO1Site 1
OROO2Site 1
OROO3Site 1
SARRACENIA PURPUREA SSP. VENOSA VAR. MONTANA
PURM1Site 1
PURM2Site 1
PURM3No location data
PURM4No location data
SARRACENIA RUBRA SSP. ALABAMENSIS
RUBA1No location data
RUBA2No location data
RUBA3No location data
RUBA4No location data
RUBA5No location data
SARRACENIA RUBRA SSP. JONESII
RUBJ1No location data
RUBJ2No location data
RUBJ3No location data
RUBJ4No location data

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