Tag Archives: weird

Angles

Posted on June 12, 2013 | 4 comments

Sarracenia 'Reptilian Rose' x (flava var. rubricorpora x leucophylla) - Clone 15 Sarracenia ‘Reptilian Rose’ x (flava var. rubricorpora x leucophylla) – clone 15

I was going through some photos from earlier this year and found this angular beast. The photo was taken back on 27 April. Kinda late, I know. Had to share though… This peculiar plant has got some crazy angles going on! The cross was done by Dr. Travis Wyman and I started germinating the seed I got from him back in 2008. Phil Faulisi’s creation – S. ‘Reptilian Rose’ has a clear influence on this plant. The spring pitchers on this plant so far are typically the largest and exhibit some of the craziest angles. Pitchers later in the season are a little shorter, but still showcase a little bit of the angular peristome. Sweet.

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Tagged angles, Faulisi, flava, hybrid, leucophylla, nectar, Phil, Pitcher, Plant, reptililan, roll, Rose, rubricorpora, Sarracenia, Travis, weird, Wyman

Smurf’s Six Petals

Posted on March 19, 2013 | 3 comments

As I was working in the greenhouse yesterday, I came across something pretty unique. For a while I’ve been eagerly awaiting S. “Smurf” to bloom so that I could see how those weird genetics would play out with some of the other plants. I know that some think it’s a plant for the compost heap. After all, it is a freak. I, on the other hand, kind of like this plant’s odd character. (See photos here for example.)

At first glance, I didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary. However, I noticed something different as I began to harvest the pollen. Not only is this plant an oddball in foliage – it’s a bit of an anomaly when it comes to the flowers too. Smurf’s flower has six petals. It also has six stigmas. Furthermore, the style is funk-tified with grooves and slight frills on the edges. Sarracenia flowers typically only have five petals. (See flower chart for parts reference, here.) Time will tell if the flower and pollen prove fertile.

I do not know if this is petal count consistent with the other Smurfs that are out there, or if I just have a Smurf that had some sort of identity crisis and decided to do it’s own thing this year. Of course, there is a possibility that this is a one off occurrence and that it could grow a “normal” flower next year. My other S. “Smurf” divisions have no bloom this year, but it would be very interesting to compare if I had more blooms next year. If anyone else has a S. “Smurf” in bloom, please let me know your findings; would love to hear from you!

Sarracenia purpurea "Smurf" flower
Sarracenia “Smurf” – 18 March 2013
Upon my initial observation, I didn’t see anything out of the ordinary. When I went to harvest pollen, that’s when I noticed the flower was a bit different.

Sarracenia “Smurf” flower – 18 March 2013

Sarracenia “Smurf” flower – 18 March 2013
This plant truly has a unique style. Yeah, double entendre intended.

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Tagged 6, burkii, Carnivorous Plant, flower, mutation, odd-ball, petal, Pitcher Plant, purpurea, rad, rosea, Sarracenia, six, stigma, strange, venosa, weird

The Freak

Posted on October 25, 2012 | 10 comments

Every now and then, a freak pitcher pops up. And I’m not just talking about “The Freak” SF Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum! (Although he had an amazing relief appearance during game 1 of the World Series last night! GO GIANTS!) In the past, I’ve run into freaks such as this double hooded thing, or this other double hooded thing. I recently spotted this Sarracenia (leucophylla x oreophila) x [(leucophylla “red” x minor var. okefenokeensis) x ‘Royal Ruby’] (cross by Dr. Travis H. Wyman) with a double fused pitcher. Rad stuff!

Sarracenia (leucophylla x oreophila) x
[(leucophylla “red” x minor var. okefenokeensis) x ‘Royal Ruby’]
Double Pitcher

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Tagged Carnivorous Plant, Freak, leucophylla, minor, North American Pitcher Plant, okefenokeensis, oreophila, Royal Ruby, Sarracenia, SF Giants, strange, The Freak, Tim Lincecum, weird

Smurfs!

Posted on June 26, 2012 | 11 comments

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”

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Tagged burkii, Freak, FUGLY, mutant, purprea, rosea, Sarracenia, Smurf, weird

Saturday Strangeness: Mutants!

Posted on May 12, 2012 | 9 comments

SATURDAY STRANGENESS!

First up for this Saturday Strangeness insanity: Double header!

Here’s a clone of Sarracenia rubra x oreo that I acquired from California Carnivores a while back. I know, colors SUCK. Here’s a shot of the “regular” pitcher:

Sarracenia rubra x oreophila

But recently, it’s thrown up a double header. Well, double HOODer.

Sarracenia rubra x oreophila – Double Hood Mutation

Sarracenia rubra x oreophila
Sarracenia rubra x oreophila – Double Hood Mutation

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Next up on our strange Saturday is a strange flytrap mutation that only happened for me this year! I received a Dionaea muscipula ‘Justina Davis’ back in 2007. The clone was tissue cultured by David Connor from the original Dionaea muscipula ‘Justina Davis’. 5 years later – May 2012 the clone did something funny. It could be because of my conditions – but something triggered it to behave somewhat badly…

OK, again – I know the plant SUCKS and is lanky. (Again read here.) I divided up my plants into several pots and in one of the pots, it did some strange things. Check it out.

Dionaea muscipula 'Justina Davis' mutation Dionaea muscipula ‘Justina Davis’ group photo: you can see a couple funny looking traps from here.

First… I started to notice traps starting to get little bumps on them.

Dionaea muscipula 'Justina Davis' mutation Dionaea muscipula ‘Justina Davis’ – leaf mutation. Little bumps!

As new traps started to emerge, those bumps started to morph into something strangely awesome. The new traps started to do this weird cup shape thing and become totally spiky/fuzzy. It has been reported that mutations like this are not stable. Dude. I’ll still enjoy it while it lasts! It’s freakin’ out!

Dionaea muscipula 'Justina Davis' mutation Dionaea muscipula ‘Justina Davis’ – leaf mutation.