Sarracenia ‘Black Widow’
A deep, dark shade of purple, with venomous fangs, and a thirst for insects, Sarracenia ‘Black Widow’ is two of these three things. It is a very hearty hybrid pitcher plant, and I grow it outdoors in Southern California where it withstands (very rare) 115+ degree weather and little-to-no humidity. It produces a healthy bouquet of tall pitchers and quickly divides when established. In a greenhouse, this thing would be a monster!
The following description is a modified excerpt from Travis H. Wyman’s formal cultivar description of Sarracenia ‘Black Widow’ submitted to the International Carnivorous Plant Society for publication on December 2nd, 2008.
Sarracenia ‘Black Widow’ is a simple hybrid of a S. alata clone informally called “black”, with S. flava var. rubricorpora. It was produced by Phil Faulisi in May of 2000 and the subsequent seed was sown January 2001. The selected plant was chosen and named in May 2004. The clone of S. flava var. rubricorpora used as a pollen donor in this cross (and seed parent in the following cross) was the product of line breeding done by Phil with the intention of producing an extremely dark, all red clone of S. flava var. rubricorpora.
Unique biology of Sarracenia Black Widow
Pitcher characteristics
Pitchers of Sarracenia Black Widow average 76-86 cm (30-34 inches) in height. Developing pitchers start out with a base colour of green with very heavy reddish-black veining.
Eventually the red-black colour fills in, turning nearly the entire pitcher a deep, shimmering, maroon. As the season progresses, the pitcher colors continue to deepen, becoming a deep lustrous purple-black especially around the throat and inner hood, an influence from the S. alata parent. The flowers of this plant are a very pale white-cream. This plant should only be reproduced through vegetative means.
Other notable characteristics
The name for this plant was chosen because of a fortuitous encounter with a large black widow spider that was found living amongst the pitchers, the colour of the spider’s body was similar to the deep glossy black-purple colour displayed by the fall pitchers.
David, the manager of Carnivorous Plant Resource, grows this beautiful cultivar, and occasionally has a few to spare listed in the marketplace, here. In fact, all photos on this page are from his private collection.
Other North American Pitcher Plant Species & Hybrids
Sarracenia leucophylla
If plants could walk the red carpet, Sarracenia leucophylla would be the star of the show. Commonly known as the white-top pitcher plant, this glamorous species is native to the Gulf Coast region of the southeastern United States.
Sarracenia flava var. atropurpurea
Sarracenia flava var. atropurpurea, commonly known as the crimson red pitcher plant is a breathtaking flava variety honed by nature to dazzle prey. This variety of the trumpet pitcher plant is characterized by its deep crimson to burgundy coloration.
Sarracenia flava var. oranata
The veined yellow pitcher plant is like nature’s ornate art project gone wild. With pitchers that look like they’ve been doodled on by an overzealous botanist armed with a red pen, this variety is a showstopper for carnivorous plant fans.
Sarracenia flava var. rubicorpora
Sarracenia flava var. rubicorpora Sarracenia flava var. rubricorpora, also known as the Red Tube Trumpet Pitcher Plant, is a cultivar of the Sarracenia flava species and is native to the southeastern United States. It [...]
Sarracenia psittacina
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Sarracenia ‘Reptilian Rose’
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Sarracenia ‘Alucard’
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Sarracenia moorei
The grex that wrecks the rest, Sarracenia moorei has little competition in the "humungous, gorgeous, and fast-growing" categories. It's a common-name grex that includes some of the most famous pitcher plants to date.
Sarracenia ‘Black Widow’
A deep shade of purple, with venomous fangs, and a thirst for insects, Sarracenia 'Black Widow' is two of these three things. It is 100% beautiful, and an easy-grower!
Sarracenia saurus
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Sarracenia Leah Wilkerson
Sarracenia 'Leah Wilkerson' has the go-go-gadget pitchers of the naturally occurring Sarracenia hybrids. The plant's largest recorded pitchers are more easily measured in units of Godzilla than inches, coming in at 50 inches (130cm) tall.
Sarracenia Oreophila
Sarracenia Oreophila is commonly known as the Green Pitcher Plant and Mountain Trumpet pitcher plant, is the single most endangered N.A. pitcher plant, and needs your help surviving.
Sarracenia ‘Deep Throat’
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Sarracenia ‘Adrian Slack’
An exceedingly handsome and colorful plant named for Adrian Slack, a gentleman who contributes so much to the CP community. This North American pitcher plant does not disappoint!
Sarracenia flava var. cuprea
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Sarracenia purpurea
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Sarracenia minor
is known as the hooded pitcher plant. To the human eye, it looks like a fairly typical North American pitcher plant, but with a lid that folds over the mouth. To the insect eye, it probably looks like the grim reaper in cloak.
Sarracenia leucophylla var. alba ‘Hurricane Creek White’
Sarracenia leucophylla var. alba 'Hurricane Creek White' Sarracenia leucophylla var. alba is a gorgeous variety of leucophylla and 'Hurricane Creek White' is a large, robust cultivar. Unfortunately, the name 'Hurricane Creek White' is meant [...]
Sarracenia flava var. rugelii
Known as the cutthroat pitcher plant due to the distinct blood red throat blotch. The coloration and high density of nectar glands at this location on the pitcher act as a lure for hungry insects. It's no coincidence that the blotch is located right above the plant's mouth.