Pinguicula esseriana

Pinguicula esseriana

TAXONOMY:

Family : Lentibulariaceae

Genus : Pinguicula

Name : Pinguicula esseriana

Sub-classification (Casper) : link

Publication : Willdenowia 11 - 1981, Bernd Kirchner

"Pinguicula esseriana (lentibulariaceae) - eine neue Art aus Mexiko"

DESCRIPTION : (by B. Kirchner)

Perennis; in tempore quietis folia confertissime clausa; folia numerosa radicalia (+/- 30), succulenta, triangularia, +/- 4 mm lata, margine non ciliata, vix involuta, superne glandulis sessilibus et stipitatis dense vestita. In tempore crescendi folia radicalia minore numero, aequiformia, sed multo maiora quam quiescentia, lamina apice +/- 18 mm lata, non involuta, humo adiacens. Hibernacula nulla. Pedicelli alius post alium orientes, erecti, +/- 8 cm longi, flores singuli, longissimo calcari, in labium superum ac inferum, partite instincti. Calyx bilabiatus, colore viridi, rubro-violaceoque striatus, extus glandulis stipitatis disperse obsitus. Tria sepala superna petalis arte adiacentia, duo infera sepala pedicellum versus declinantia. Corolla pallide violaceae usque ad atro-violacea, labium inferum +/- 18 mm latum, trilobum, media pars paulolatior et longior quam partes laterales. In primis faucibusmacula triangularis in totam latitudinem patens, colore albo apice flavo, fauces pilis retrorectis striatis dense obtectae. Labium supernum in duas partes aequabiles divisum. tubus subcylindricus vel obovatus, calcarem versus angustatus, pilosus, virido-albidus, 4 - 6 mm longus in calcarm exiens. Calcar tubum versus perspicue distinctum +/- 18 mm longum, albo-viride, atro-violaceo striatum, pilosum, in angulum obtusum labium inferum versus exiente. Duo stamina brevibus filamentis arcuatis. Ovarium subglobosum, glandulis stipitatis obsitum. Stigma bilabiatum, incoloratum upre ovarium positum.

translation :

- Soon -

ORIGIN AND HISTORY :

No data.

Localisation / Map:

Pinguicula esseriana comes from Mexico, state of San Luis Potosi, in a high-tray near El Huizache.

HABITAT:

No data

TEMPERATURE and PRECIPITATIONS :

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 in culture :

No data.

CULTURE AND MULTIPLICATION :

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

Life cycle : 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 leaves. The carnivorous leaves are produced in spring and during all summer. The flowering occurs from summer rosette. The life cycle of the plant is probably similar in it's native habitat but I have no data.

Media : 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.

Pot : plastic, colour terracotta, diameter 20cm, height 12cm for forming a colony.

Cultivation : 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 slightly 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.

Temperatures : during growth period, day temperatures are about 25°C but may 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 period :

Multiplication : I have never succeeded in pollinating the flowers of this Pinguicula (needs 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 the totality of the leaf including the white base as the plantlets will sprout from this area. Summer leaves can be used too.

PICTURES: (click to enlarge)