pitcher plant

noun

1. any of various insectivorous New World bog plants of the genera Sarracenia, Darlingtonia, and Heliamphora, having tubular or trumpet-shaped leaves containing a liquid in which insects are trapped.
2. the common pitcher plant, S. purpurea, having red or green leaves and a large, nodding, globular dull-red flower.
3. any of various insectivorous Old World plants of the genus Nepenthes, having leathery leaves each ending in a tendril that bears a lidded, pitcherlike receptacle.

pitcher plant

noun

1. any of various insectivorous plants of the genera Sarracenia , Darlingtonia , Nepenthes , and Cephalotus , having leaves modified to form pitcher-like organs that attract and trap insects, which are then digested See also huntsman's-cup

Word History and Origins

Origin of pitcher plant¹

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

Of this eclectic assembly, pitcher plants form one of the largest groups.

From National Geographic

This process releases nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphate, that allow pitcher plants to thrive in nutrient-poor habitats.

From Science Daily

She also hasn’t worked with N. khasiana specifically, and nectar components vary between species—a fact she can personally confirm from tasting the nectars of several pitcher plants.

From Science Magazine

To answer this question, Dr. Gaume and her colleagues grew four different types of Sarracenia pitcher plants at their research station in Montpelier, France.

From New York Times

The way a pitcher plant traps bugs shows them how to capture pests in a farm field.

From Washington Post