Tag Archives: FUGLY

Lidless Freaks

Carnivorous plants are in a category of their own, and within this special syndicate of bizarre botanical badassery there are those plants that are, well… just plain freaks. I’m talking about some of these lidless ones. Some may even apply the adjective “fugly to these curiosities. But hey – to me, they’re beautiful in their own unconventional way. Keep it freaky.

Sarracenia flava var. ornata - lidless
Sarracenia flava var. ornata – lidless

Sarracenia flava var. rubricorpora - lidless
Sarracenia flava var. rubricorpora – lidless

Sarracenia leucophylla 'Bris'
Sarracenia leucophylla ‘Bris’

Smurfs!

You know, I have this thing for the bizarre. (Hell, I am a little bit of strange one myself!) I mean, DUDE – I grow plants that eat things. Carnivorous plants have evolved some rather rad and fearsome idiosyncrasies and are mos’ def are not your “typical” plant. Sarracenia “Smurf” is one of those plants that fall into that freakish category within this carnivorous cartel. It is my understanding that this freak was a mutation of S. purpurea ssp. venosa v. burkii discovered in tissue culture. I know that this plant does not  appeal to many – and yo, that’s totally OK. I’ve heard comments along the lines of: “Dude, the thing is a FREAK!”“Someone should put it out of it’s misery.”,  “I don’t like it at all.”, “…Ready for the compost heap…” and “That f*cker is just straight up FUGLY!”

I, on the other hand, find this curious oddball of a carnivore outlandishly fascinating.

Yeah, I understand that everyone has their own tastes. That’s just one aspect that makes growing and breeding plants interesting and engaging. I truly enjoy the range and the diversity of botanical flavors out there. And yes, I do favor some forms more than others depending on my mood. I guess. One thing is for certain: I am looking forward to seeing how these little freaks play in the gene pool. I hope they play nicely with the others… 🙂

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Sarracenia "Smurf"
Sarracenia “Smurf” village

Sarracenia "Smurf"
Sarracenia “Smurf”

Sarracenia "Smurf"
Sarracenia “Smurf”

Sarracenia "Smurf"
Sarracenia “Smurf”

Sarracenia "Smurf"
Sarracenia “Smurf”

Sarracenia "Smurf"
Sarracenia “Smurf”

Sarracenia "Smurf"Sarracenia “Smurf”