Sun Pitchers
Heliamphora sp.

Description of the Sun Pitcher

The Sun Pitcher, or Heliamphora, is a rare plant that only grows in South America. It was first discovered in 1839, but due mostly to the difficulty of reaching their habitat, the second was not discovered until 1950. All of the Sun Pitchers look similar, and to further complicate matters, they develop different characteristics, or morphology, depending on how they are grown. The only way to completely identify them is to study the flowers.

The Sun Pitcher is a very brittle, yet sturdy plant. It is an open reddish cup with a red 'lid', which only acts to protect nectar which is suspended above the trap. If an insects lands to get some food from the trap, it is likely to slip off and fall into the trap. Inside the trap, the top is covered with downward pointing hairs, the middle is smooth, and the bottom has more hairs. The trap collects rainwater which drowns the insect while bacteria help to digest the insects. So far, no acids or enzymes are known to help eat the bugs.

Geography

The only area where Sun Pitchers are found is in highland regions of South America. The environment of these plants is cool, wet, rainy, and windy most of the time. There are very few plants in this area due to lack of soil and nutrients. They are found growing along side of Sundews and Bladderworts.

Growing Specifics

The Sun Pitchers can be grown well in any loose soil such as soils heavy in sand. They can do very well in the Tray Watering Method, but are best kept at a low water level with frequent overhead watering. Remember that these plants grow where the temperatures are a little cooler, so don't let them get too hot. They like lots of bright sun, but can also grow well in partial shade.

Photogallery

Click on the photos to see larger images.

Heliamphora nutans


A Sun Pitcher in competition at the 2006 ICPS meetings in Frostburg, MD.

Sun Pitcher Flower


The flower to the plant in competition.

More Sun Pitchers


These were on sale by Black Jungle at the ICPS meeting.

Expensive Plant


This was another Sun Pitcher on sale; I recall the price at $99!

My Pitchers


This picture of my Sun Pitchers was taken the say I bought them.

Split Pitchers


I split my pitchers into two seperate pots to allow them more room to grow.

All information on this site ©2006 State College Carnivorous Plants. Site designed and maintained by Tom Murosky. Last update January 22, 2007. I allow free use of all written materials on this site. Easy download PDF files availible in the resource link of each plant type. Photographs may contain copyrights from other organizations, you must contact them regarding use of photographs. -- We have had visitors.