Cephalotus follicularis is found only in one place in the world: the southwestern coastal regions of Australia. Like most carnivorous plants, this plant only grows in swampy or boggy ground. There are two common names used for this plant, the (Western) Australian Pitcher Plant and the Albany Pitcher Plant. Cephalotus come from the Greek word "kephalotus", meaning headed – this is referring to the anthers of the stamen. The second part "follicularis" referring to a small bag or pod – the leaf trap. This plant has two types of leaves. The first type is oval-shaped and is non-carnivorous, and these are produced in the spring. Then around September and October the carnivorous leaf grows. The pitcher (trap) looks very different from the flat, non-carnivorous leaf. It grows up to 5 cm (2 inches) in size – see drawing and photos below. Like many carnivorous plants, it uses nectar glands, colour and tricks to get its prey. The trick part is the use of translucent grooves on the lid that over hangs the trap. The nectar glands are around the mouth of the trap on sharp, inward pointing ribs, which also stops the prey from coming out after falling into the liquid inside. Another feature of Cephalotus is an overhanging lip or collar on the inside of the pitcher. This stops any insect from crawling out, not only due to its shape but also its slipperiness. The inside of the trap is light green in colour, whereas the outside is a deep maroon in a mature trap. Digestive glands are found in two areas inside the pitcher.
Plants
grown in full sunlight are smaller than those grown in
shade or indirect sunlight, but they have a beautiful red
or maroon coloration, which is absent on those grown in
diffuse light. To get large plants with red coloration,
grow the plants in indirect light to obtain robust plants
and then, gradually expose plants to stronger light to
develop the dramatic coloration. When growing Cephalotus
under artificial lights start with 1000-1500 foot-candles
with a 12-16 hour day.
If you don't have enough access
to sufficient sun, purchasing a plant
light or a grow
light will work wonders.
Water: Do not allow Cephalotus to
dry out completely. They benefit from moist media and
occasional flooding to wash away any accumulated salts.
Use relatively clean water such as rain, distilled or
purified water. Tap water can be used in many localities
if the water is low in salts. Low levels of chlorine
do not seem to be a problem.
Humidity: This should be from about
65-90%, with 85% being close to optimal.
Temperature: Range from 38-95°F.
Plants can survive a light frost. Cephalotus will grow
well at constant temperatures of 70-85°F the year
round. In their native habitat, temperatures are lower
in winter than in summer.
Planting Mixes: The potting media should
be peat moss or sphagnum moss or a combination of both.
Care must be taken when repotting to handle the roots
and rhizomes carefully avoiding any damage to either.
If dividing the plant is required then the media should
be drenched with a good fungicide (preferably systemic)
after repotting. Once a plant is established it can be
quite hardy and tolerate a wide range of conditions but
to maintain good growth the best conditions possible
are required. A plant can grow from a minute division
to a 15cm cluster of 5cm traps in under 2 years but this
is rare and can only occur in perfect houses
Feeding: Feeding is usually not needed,
but adding a few small insects every few months can be
beneficial. You may use very diluted Miracid™ fertilizer
in the pitchers. Use 1/4-1/3 teaspoon of Miracid per
gallon of water and put about a tablespoon of this solution
in a few pitchers every month or so. Do not fertilize
the roots. |
