Pitcher Plant / Sarracenia purpurea
Artist
Elizabeth (Bessie) Murray Tyler
(American, 1892 - 1980)
CultureAmerican
Dateca. 1934
MediumWatercolor and graphite
DimensionsOverall: 11 3/8 x 7 1/8 in. (29 x 18.1 cm)
Overall, Mat: 20 x 16 in. (50.8 x 40.6 cm)
Overall, Mat: 20 x 16 in. (50.8 x 40.6 cm)
InscribedYes, the plant eats insects, using the word absorb in place of eat. The leaves of this plant developed some power of absorbing nitrogen matter from decomposing insects. Leaves yellowish-green lined and texture stout, outer smooth, inner bristly-haired, pitcher-shaped, generally half-filled with water. Just inside is secreted a sweet, sticky substance to attract insects. Once inside they become captive, falling back into the water. The large solitary flower nods high above, is purple-red. Found in peat bogs in wet, spongy, mossy places. Range from Canada to Florida, blooming from May through July. [edited transcription]
Credit LineMuseum collection
Object number41.45.97
Not on view
DescriptionPart of the Tidewater Wildflowers series, done as a WPA Project. Watercolor depicting Pitcher Plant.Label TextPitcher Plant / Sarracenia purpurea, ca. 1934 Watercolor and graphite Yes, the plant eats insects, using the word absorb in place of eat. The leaves of this plant developed some power of absorbing nitrogen matter from decomposing insects. Leaves yellowish-green lined and texture stout, outer smooth, inner bristly-haired, pitcher-shaped, generally half-filled with water. Just inside is secreted a sweet, sticky substance to attract insects. Once inside they become captive, falling back into the water. The large solitary flower nods high above, is purple-red. Found in peat bogs in wet, spongy, mossy places. Range from Canada to Florida, blooming from May through July. Museum collection 41.45.97 Exhibition History"Tidewater Wildflowers: Watercolors by Bessie Tyler," Willoughby-Baylor House, Norfolk, VA, April 16, 2015 - March 6, 2016.
