Pinguicula moranensis var. alba

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TAXONOMY:

Family : Lentibulariaceae

Genus : Pinguicula

Name : Pinguicula moranensis

Sub-classification (Casper) : link

Publication : Pinguicula moranensis {H.B.K.} var. alba {Hort.Weiner}]nom.nud. published in sched. (1985) 

Synonyms : The plant can be found worldwide under different ambiguous names : Pinguicula moranensis alba, Pinguicula moranensis albiflora, Pinguicula moranensis 'white flower'. 

DESCRIPTION :

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translation :

 - Soon - 

ORIGIN AND HISTORY :

No data. I was quite surprised to find a white coloured flower of Pinguicula moranensis. Is it a seedling from normal plants from San Cristobal de Las Casas that gave in culture a plant with white flowers or a location with only white flowered Pinguicula moranensis ? I have no informations. I keep in mind that for example, in Pinguicula crystallina subsp. crystallina in Turkei, you can find in some location mixed population of plants with white and normal coloured flowers. Is it the same for San Cristobal de Las Casas ? Any informations is welcome. 

What surprised me the most, was the similarity between the flowers of this clone and the flower of Pinguicula elhersiae 'albiflora' (a white flowered clone of Pinguicula elhersiae). Any explanations ?

Localisation / Map: 

This plant grows in Mexico and is found at 25 km from the town of San Cristobal de Las Casas in Oaxaca. This is all the informations I have.  

 

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

 

HABITAT:  

No data. 

Introduction in culture :

I was quite surprised to find a white coloured flower of Pinguicula moranensis in J.J. LABAT 's collection (manager of the famous French Nursery "Nature et Paysage").  

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 life cycle of the plant is probably similar in it's native habitat.

 

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 12.5cm, height 12cm.

 

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 : each year

 

Multiplication : I have never succeeded up to now in pollinating the flowers of this Pinguicula. So I don't know how the seeds look like. 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 particularly with it's white base as the new plantlets will sprout from this area. Don't try with the summer leaves, it is harder.

PICTURES: (click to enlarge)

Pinguicula moranensis with white flowers.   Photo : Peter Sebborn - October 2000 -	Pinguicula moranensis var. alba flowers in Vic Brown's collection (UK).   Photo : Vic Brown  - April 2003 -
	The city of San Cristobal de las Casas in Chiapas state This image in its original context, on the page : Mexico.htm