Northern Pitcher Plant - Recurved Hairs

These little white spines are recurved hairs that help prevent insects from escaping the pitchers. Here's how it all works...This beautiful plant has pitcher-like leaves that collect water. Insects that are attracted to the plant fall into the pitcher and then have a hard time crawling back out because the bottom of the pitchers have smooth surfaces, in addition to recurved hairs near the top. So, trapped insects will eventually fall into the water that collects at the bottom of the pitcher and drown. The plant secretes enzymes, which help digest the insects. However, most of the breakdown is passive and results from bacterial activity.

Later this spring, this carnivorous plant will sprout one large, purplish-red flower on the top of a leafless stalk.