Pinguicula sp

Pinguicula from 'Pico de Orizaba'

TAXONOMY:

Family : Lentibulariaceae

Genus : Pinguicula

Name : not yet published

Sub-classification (Casper) : link

Publication : not yet officially published but mentioned in ICPS forum in November 1997.

Synonyms : seems to be very close to Pinguicula moranensis ?

DESCRIPTION :

By John Taylor in ICPS forum on 21 Dec 1994.

It's quite a nice plant with its darker leaves and dark flower (very violet -like).

Leaves : Elliptic (possibly a little ovate), 2" x 1.5" (largest so far), convex, "ground-hugging" (leaves curl over edges of pot), mid-green with reddish "tentacles" (especially noticeable in young, developing leaves). Red colouration to outside of leaf around the "roll".
Midrib pale/white, prominent on underside of leaf, broadens towards base of leaf, less distinct towards tip of leaf.

Flower : About 1" tall x 3/4" wide (including spur). Upper two petals with rounded tips, about 9 x 5mm, recurved so as to touch the sepals/scape. Dark violet with two small white "spots", about 1mm across, (separated by a very thin line of the main petal colour) with very dark "spots" either side (similar in size to the white ones and extending to the edge of the petal - aligning with those on the next petal). Centre two petals similar but fractionally narrower (about 4mm) and almost flat. Markings a little more sharply defined and a little smaller (the white markings are divided by a slightly darker purple than on the upper petals). Lower petal more wedge shaped and "emarginate" (notched - the "lobes" and "notch" are about same width), about 13 x 7mm, curved in an almost S-shape. White markings almost undivided and longer (about 3 x 1mm total) (ie. a stripe), the dark markings similar length. Top of the white stripe becomes a little greener as it enters the throat (which is white/ish). Short, white (?) hairs/glands near throat, longer inside (outside of flower is also hairy where the white markings on/around the throat are visible). Scape is about 4" tall, red/maroon except for lower 1/2" (which is white), glabrous except for top 1/2" which is glandular (the number of glands increases towards the flower). Spur is similar in colour to the scape, but a little more purple, about 1" long, curved. Sepals are green...

Is this just another P. moranensis? The VCPS list that was mentioned a little while ago had this plant listed as just P. sp. "Pico de Orizaba". The CP-WWW list picked up P. sodalium (= P. moranensis) as being from this mountain - could that be it?

The point of view of the botanist Jan Schlauer :

The cuneate (to even emarginate) lower corolla lobes, long spur, and not distinctly petioled, elliptic, flat (summer) leaves being rather indicative of _P.moranensis_ (sensu lato; this is one of the most widespread and variable species in America).

ORIGIN AND HISTORY :

I found in ICPS's forum a message about the origin of Pinguicula sp. Pico de Orizaba, on 28 Nov 1997 by Andre Cleghorn. (see below)

Last minute : November 2002, after many hours on Net, I have found that the seeds were mentioned in Harald Weiner's seeds list in 1987.

Map / LOCALISATION :

No data, Pico de Orizaba is in Veracruz.

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

HABITAT:

No data

TEMPERATURE and PRECIPITATIONS :

Click on the graph to enlarge and see graph of normal precipitation and normal average temperature. 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 :

"The seeds were collected by Dr. Alfred Lau, a missionary, botanist and plant collector who lived for many years in Mexico. Dr Lau discovered this plant growing near the summit of Mt. Orizaba which is very near where he lived. The plant was a new species so he identified it by where he found it. P. sp. 'Pico de Orizaba' is a very large growing plant often about 20 cm diameter. It is unusual in that it rarely grows from leaf cuttings and does not divide until the plants become very large. It grows well in pure sphagnum moss if kept sufficiently moist or in a layer of 2-3 cm of sphagnum moss over a mixture of 1:1 peat moss and sand with the pot sitting in a tray containing 1-2 cm of water. In low light the plants are at there largest and pale green while in high light the plants are smaller but are pink/red in colour. The flowers are on stems about 20 cm in long and usually very dark purple although a bright pink form has been found. Andre Cleghorn "

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 pots 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 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 period : not yet.

Multiplication : I never had flowers yet. So I don't know if the pollinization could give 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 plantlest will sprout from this area. Don't try with the summer leaves, it is harder.