Pinguicula alpina

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TAXONOMY:

Family : Lentibulariaceae

Genus : Pinguicula

Name : Pinguicula alpina

Sub-classification (Casper) : link

Publication : Linnee, in Spec. pl. ed. 1 (1753) 17.

DESCRIPTION : (in publication)

Perennis. Rhizoma simplex +/- 10 - 20 mm longum radicibus adventitiis numerosis funiformibus fuscoluteis. Folia 5 - 8 radicalia rosulata sessilia elliptico-oblonga vel lanceolato-oblongo obtusa basin versus angustata integerrima margine involuta superne glanduloso-viscosa glandulis sessilibus dense et glandulis stipitatis modice dense utrimque nervi mediani pilis subulatis longis vestita (15) 25 - 45 (60) mm longa +/- 8 - 14 mm lata flavo-virentia. Hibernacula; gemmae. Pedicelli 1 - 8 (13) erecti glabriusculi (30) 50 - 110 (12) mm alti uniflori. Flores mediocres (8) 10 - 16 (21) mm longi (calcari incluso). Calyx bilabiatus viridis glabriusculus; labium superum tridentatum vel crenato-dentatum dentis trianguli acutis vel rotundatis; labium inferum bilobum lobis usque ad 2/3 longitudinis connatis acutis vel subrotundatis. Corolla bilabiata albida in fauce luteo maculata extus glandulis stipitatis singularibus obsita; labium superum bilobum lobis late rotundatis; labium inferum lobis inaequalibus supero multo maius intermedio apice rotundato vel truncato vel subemarginato lateralibus multo maiore basi cum palato bipartito vel (rarius) uniformi. Tubus latus brevis pilosus pilis longis cylindrico-subulatis retro-conversis in striis triabus ordinatis. Calcar tubo limboque corollae multo brevius late conicum obtusum vel plus minusve acutum subincurvum (1) 2 - 3 (5) mm longum virescens vel aurantiacum intus glandulis stipitatis +/- dense vestitum. Stamina +/- 2.5 mm longa; antherae ellipsoidea; pollen (5) 6 - 7 (8) colporatum. Ovarium subglobosum glandulis stipitatis disperse obsitum. Stigma bilabiatum labio infero maximo flabelliformi superne papilloso. Capsula ovoideo-oblonga acuminata erecta calycem multum superans 6 - 9 mm longa 2 - 3 mm lata. Semina scobiformia (0.6) 0.7 - 0.9 (1.0) mm longa (0.16) 0.20 - 0.24 (0.28) mm late laete ferruginea. 

 

Chromosata 2n = 32 

 

Translation :

 

- soon -  

ORIGIN AND HISTORY :

Pinguicula alpina is the only temperate Pinguicula that keeps his roots on the winter hibernacula. The size of the flower is rather constant but the yellow spots in the middle of the lower corolla lobe are highly variable in size and form. I found on Mont Joly a green form that remains green even in full sun. (See picture below)

Localisation / Map (click on the map for better localisation of the depicted specimen below) 

Pinguicula alpina is distributed in (sub)alpine and subarctic regions of all higher mountain chains of Eurasia (Pyrenees, alps, Karpates...), from sea level (NW Siberia) up to 2600 m in the Alps and 4100 m in the Himalayas. Pinguicula alpina is common in Alps and more rarely elsewhere. 

(see Distribution map from Casper - soon -). 

HABITAT:  

Pinguicula alpina grows in all kind of soils : bogs, on springy slopes and other wet places including wet bluffs and rocks. Habitats may vary from shady to full sun exposition. Pinguicula alpina can be found on calcareous substratum but also on silicate substratum (associated with Soldanella pusilla and in sphagnum bogs.  

Introduction in culture :

I brought back many seeds from Mont Joly. 

CULTURE AND MULTIPLICATION : 

(North hemisphere, France near Paris, in a garden - see the map -)    

Life cycle : In spring, the cycle begins by the opening of the winter buds and the production of the first carnivorous leaves. The first leaves are followed by the flowers in summer. New carnivorous leaves are produced during all the season. Near autumn, or earlier, if your conditions are not optimal, the next hibernacula is revealed in the centre of the rosette. Then leaf production stops and the old leaves decay slowly. The plant (reduced now to a small hibernacula) is ready for winter and for the next cycle. 

Media: I use the following media : 1 peat, 2 vermiculite, 1 small sand (for aquarium), 1 fine white sand, 2 pouzzolane (volcanic lava). 

Pot : big plastic box.

Cultivation : The long term cultivation of temperate Pinguicula is difficult : If the summer growing conditions are not optimal, the plants will form very weak hibernacula which easily rot. 

Optimal summer growing conditions are : good air humidity, cool temperature and UV lights.

I grow my plants in my garden all the year with full sun all the time.  

 

Multiplication : By seeds spread around the plants. I don't use the gemmae produced around winter hibernacula because they remain connected with the mother plant (remember that the plant has perenial roots). 

 

 

 

 PICTURES: (click to enlarge)