Pinguicula acuminata

cliquer sur le drapeau pour la version

This page is dedicated to Hans Luhrs that re-discovered this species after 150 years in obscurity. He wrote a very interesting article in IPSG, Newsletter N°4, February 1994. Most of the information of this page come from the newsletter.

TaxonomyPermalink

Family: Lentibulariaceae
Genus: Pinguicula
Name: Pinguicula acuminata
Sub-classification (Casper): link
Publication: Bentham, in Plantas Hartwegianas imprimis Mexicanas 71. 1839.

DescriptionPermalink

Original description in Bentham, in Pl. Hartweg. Ia (1839) :

Foliis radicalicus dense rosulatis ovato-oblongis crassis abrupte et rigide acuminatis glabris, scapo apice vix pilosulo, corollae laciniis late obovatis tubo late incurvo subaequilongis, calcare brevi cylindrico subascendente. Folia siccitate rigida, nigricantia, acumine 1 - 2 lin. longo acuto. Scapis 4 - 6 pollicaris. Corolla magnitudine P. flavescentis, fauce intus pilosa.

In umbrosis prope Chico.

More detailed description : (in IPSG, Newsletter N°4, February 1994, by Hans Luhrs).

Perennial plant. Dimorphic leaves; leaves “aestival” few 2 - 4 (5), with a long petiole, 34 - 120 (160) mm. long, 16 - 83 mm. wide, lamina broadly-ovate or cordiform, 22 - 92 mm. long, cordate or imbricate at the base, apex acute or obtusely, entire margin involute and somewhat undulate, petiole 12 - 57 (70-80) mm. long, +/-5mm. wide, concave and hairy at the upper part, plants grow continuously larger during the growing season; leaves “hiemal”, present during flowering, many 18 - 36, broadly oblong-ovate acuminate or ovate-lanceolate acuminae, 6 - 19 mm. long, 3 - 9 mm. wide, entirely curved inwards. Flower stalk 2 - 4 (7), erect, only the upper part glandular hairy, 74 - 150 (175) mm. long. Flowers 17 - 22 mm. incl. spur), 16 - 22 mm. wide; calyx two lipped, glandular hairy, 6.5 mm. long 5 mm. wide, upper lip divided into three lobes, oblong-lanceolate, 2.6 - 3 mm. long. 1.2 mm. wide, lower lip divided into two lobes, lanceolate, 3mm. long, 1.5mm. wide; corolla two lipped, with almost equal lobes (subisoloba), whitish, pale bluish-pink or lilac, with white-knobbed hairs in the centre, upper lip divide into two lobes, narrowly obovate to subcuneate, +/- 6 mm. long, 5 mm. wide, lower lip divided into three lobes, narrowly obovate to subcuneate, +/- 7 mm. long., 5 mm. wide, the middle lobe slightly larger; tube subcylindrical with three lines of knobbed hairs inside, 6 - 7 mm. long, +/- 4 mm. wide, glandular, strongly bend (95° - 105°) +/- in the middle; spur cylindrical, 4 - 5 mm. long, +/- 1.5 mm. wide, glandular, straight or slightly curved, with a blunt thickening at the end; stigma pale violet. Florescence March to May.

Origin and HistoryPermalink

If there is a Pinguicula whose history is strange, it is Pinguicula acuminata without doubts : It was described by Bentham in 1839 being based on the winter rosette. Afterwards, Ernst in 1961 has studied again the herbarium specimen. Then Casper in 1966 took Ernst’s description in its monograph as the original herbarium specimen had been lost.

In 1989, a talented botanist, Hans Luhrs, left to Mexico to study Pinguicula in their environment. Whereas he was looking after Pinguicula macrophylla on the southern slopes of El Chico, close to Real del Monte, he found some flowerstalk without developped leaves. It was a Pinguicula species without any possible doubt whose leaves were buried few centimetres under the surface of the ground. Using the original description of Bentham, he concluded that he found Pinguicula acuminata and not Pinguicula macrophylla, rediscovered after 150 years in the darkness.

The history is not finished : if you remember well, Hans Luhrs was looking after Pinguicula macrophylla which rosette morphology is very close. He didn’t succeeded in finding this species in El Chico!

Another well known and talented botanist, S. Zamudio, in 1988 also doubted for the presence of Pinguicula macrophylla at El Chico after examination of the herbarium specimens . All specimen where in fact Pinguicula acuminata or Pinguicula crassifolia. A beautiful story isn’t it ?

We will never thank Hans Luhrs enough for having allowed us to rediscover this wonderful species and having given us the opportunity to grow it.

Location / MapPermalink

From Mexico, state of Hidalgo, municipality of El Chico and its surrounding area. Hans Luhrs found 8 news locations including the type locality.

(click on the map for better location and relief map)

El Chico National Park is located on the eastern side of the Sierra de Pachuca mountains and ranges in altitude from 2,320 meters to a height of 3,090 meters above sea level. In 1898 it became the first national park decreed a natural reserve. The park covers an area of 2,739 hectares and is popular with hikers, mountain bikers and rock-climbers who come to scale its rocky peaks, including “La Ventana”, the highest point in the park, just outside of Mineral del Chico.

HabitatPermalink

On shady banks in misty forests, abundant in loamy soil between rocks on humid sites, and associated with colonies of moss, ferns and succulents, in wooded area of Quercus and Abies species, at altitude between 2400 and 2800m. On most places, Pinguicula acuminata is found together with Pinguicula moranensis.

Temperature and PrecipitationPermalink

Click on the graph to enlarge and see the graph of normal precipitation and normal average temperatures. Normal values are 30-year averages for the period 1961 to 1990. The weather stations are grouped by region (see map of weather stations).

Introduction to HorticulturePermalink

My clone come from Loyd Wix collection.

Growth and PropagationPermalink

(North hemisphere, France near Paris, in a polycarbonate greenhouse - see the map

Life CyclePermalink

The life cycle observed in culture for this Pinguicula consists of two seasons, one wet and the other dry (see link). The plant forms different leaf rosettes according to the season. During the resting months (winter) the small succulent rosette is composed of numerous non-carnivorous hairy leaves. The carnivorous leaves are produced in spring and during all summer. The life cycle of the plant is probably similar in it’s native habitat.

MediaPermalink

I use a 100 % mineral media : 2 perlite, 2 vermiculite, 1 small sand (for aquarium), 1 fine white sand, 1 pouzzolane (volcanic lava), 1 aqualit (expansed ceramic for aquarium). The aqualit can be replaced by 1 of pouzzolane. Plants in this media grow slower but have a stronger root system.

PotPermalink

Plastic, colour terracotta, diameter 12.5cm, height 12cm.

CultivationPermalink

I think that a slightly airy situation inside the greenhouse is important to avoid air stagnation. For this reason, I use a fan 24h/24h all the year round.

Watering is very important : from May to September (summer). I let the media drying sligthly between two watering. I use rain water poured on the top of the pot taking care not to wet the rosette. From October to April, It is important to let the media drying completely (no watering) but with an atmospheric humidity of about 80%.

The mentioned months are indicative and can change according to your own growing conditions. In fact, when this Pinguicula begins to produce its non-carnivorous leaves, you have to stop watering and let the pot drying out completely. Inversely, when the plant begins to produce in early spring its carnivorous leaves, you have to progressively start watering again the pot.

TemperaturePermalink

During growth period, day temperatures are about 25°C but can reach 35°C when the sun is shining on the greenhouse in spite of the use of shading covers. Night temperatures are around 20°C. During resting period : day/night ~~~~ over freezing point. Lower temperature observed : - 4°C. I use an electronic petroleum heater to provide heat.

Flowering PeriodPermalink

From winter rosette

PropagationPermalink

I have never succeeded in pollinating the flowers of this Pinguicula. Maybe you have to use two different clones. So I don’t know the seeds. The plants can be propagated easily using non-carnivorous leaves separated from the rosette at the end of winter. You only have to carefully tear out all the leaf particularly with the white base. The new plantlets will sprout from this area. Don’t try with the summer leaves, it is harder.

PicturesPermalink

Pinguicula acuminata, winter rosette buried under the pot surface.
Photo: Eric Partrat March 2001 -

Pinguicula acuminata in culture flowering from winter rosette Photo: Eric Partrat April 2001 -

The flower of Pinguicula acuminata in culture. Photo: Markus Welge homepage

Young Pinguicula acuminata in culture summer rosette Photo: Eric Partrat August 02 -

Pinguicula acuminata in habitat in mosses. Photo : Mark E. Olson &COPY; 1995-2002 Missouri Botanical Garden
http://ridgwaydb.mobot.org/mobot/photoessays/

Pinguicula acuminata in habitat. Photo: Ed Read October 2003 -

Pinguicula acuminata with late summer leaves and the winter rosette ready for resting period. Photo: Ed Read October 2003 -

Landscape in El Chico National Park Photo : Dr. Manuel Aguilar This image in its original context, on the page : http://instructional1.calstatela.edu/bevans/Art454L-27-ElChicoSierraAlta.1/

Sierra Alta, landscape in El Chico National Park Photo : Dr. Manuel Aguilar This image in its original context, on the page : http://instructional1.calstatela.edu/bevans/Art454L-27-ElChicoSierraAlta.1/

Landscape in El Chico National Park This image in its original context, on the page : http://www.hidalgo.gob.mx/municipios/municipio.asp?municipioID=39#

The habitat of Pinguicula acuminata revisited in 2009 by Radek Kastner.Permalink

Location: Mineral del Chico.

Near village ´Mineral del Chico´, site shared with P.
moranensis var. neovolcanica

Primary habitat : bright forest with many shrubs, dry, many outcrops, on steep parts Pinguicula - Primary habitats were often on top of the hills, mountains, in the forest among shrubs, trees, agave, cacti etc. Photo : Radek KASTNER July-August 2009

Secondary habitat : Steep rock walls along the road.
Note - we could see, that many road steep rock walls are in fact secondary habitat of many species of Pinguicula ! Photo : Radek KASTNER July-August 2009

A large and colourful rosette of Pinguicula acuminata. Photo : Radek KASTNER July-August 2009

Pinguicula acuminata growing in a more mineral soil that in the next location. Photo : Radek KASTNER July-August 2009

Greenish rosettes of Pinguicula acuminata. Photo : Radek KASTNER July-August 2009

Redish Pinguicula acuminata. Photo : Radek KASTNER July-August 2009

In this habitat : Beautiful plants, many times with colourful rosettes (dark pink-purple, purple, redish, greenish etc.). More light than in the Mineral del Monte location. Photo : Radek KASTNER July-August 2009

Location : Mineral del Monte.Permalink

The habitat of P. acuminata near village Mineral del Monte. Site is located in the dense forest behind the small artificial lake. It is mostly a deciduous forest with many shrubs and grass habitat. Photo : Radek KASTNER July-August 2009

The habitat of P. acuminata. Photo : Radek KASTNER July-August 2009

There were only a few (up to several dozens of plants), but they were really huge! see plant with my hand scale diameter about 15 cm was pretty normal. Photo : Radek KASTNER July-August 2009

Plants only noticeably green with strong green veination. More in shade. Note the typical long petiole. Photo : Radek KASTNER July-August 2009

Pinguicula acuminata growing in rich organic soil. Photo : Radek KASTNER July-August 2009

Pinguicula acuminata among vegetation. Photo : Radek KASTNER July-August 2009

Pinguicula acuminata growing in rich organic soil. Photo : Radek KASTNER July-August 2009