Sarracenia ‘Reptilian Rose’
With a large, red, ruffled hood and gnarled, angled lip, S. Reptilian Rose is both beauty and beast. It’s a vigorous Sarracenia cultivar bred in 2000 by master breeder Phil Faulisi, and germinated in January of 2001 by Travis Wyman. Reptilian Rose’s recipe is one part S. oreophila “Sand Mountain”, and one part S. ‘Royal Ruby’ (a gorgeous moorei) and was hand selected in 2004 for its unique traits. It received coveted cultivar status on December 2nd, 2008 with the publishing of Volume 38 of the ICPS Carnivorous Plant Newsletter.
Rep Rose, as it’s sometimes nicknamed, has only one known sibling in circulation, named ‘Kristina.’
Unique characteristics of Sarracenia Reptilian Rose
Trap characteristics
From the annals of the ICPS:
Sarracenia Reptilian Rose pitchers grow between 28-34 inches (71-86 cm) in height and are topped by a large flared hood. Early spring pitchers of this plant tend to be more robust, attaining greater size and colouration than pitchers put out later in the season. The pitchers of this plant have inherited the heavy venation from their Sand Mountain S. oreophila parent displaying the trait as the pitchers develop and first open. As the pitcher ages it develops an overall beautiful pinkish-rose colouration. Another characteristic of this plant is that the nectar roll often puckers up in places, creating an almost fanged appearance. This plant commonly produces phyllodia in the fall that are moderately curved in the manner of S. oreophila. The blooms on this plant open a vibrant yellow with a few red markings at their base. Over the course of about a week the petals develop an apricot-orange hue. One thing that we (THW and PF) have both noticed is that the blooms on this plant will occasionally be malformed such that their parts are produced in threes and fours, instead of the usual five. This malformation does not appear to affect the fertility of the specific bloom as both of us have produced seed from such malformed blooms. The unique nature of this plant necessitates that it only be reproduced through vegetative means.
Other notable characteristics
Other Sarracenia species, hybrids, and cultivars
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
Forget growing tall. Never mind growing squat. Sarracenia psittacina is unique in its horizontal approach to pitcher production. Also... is it just me or do those pitchers look like wee baby parrots..?
Sarracenia ‘The Kraken’
Summon the Kraken! Sarracenia The Kraken is a monster readii x Royal Ruby hybrid from the gardens of Phil Faulisi. Don't turn your back on this pitcher plant, or you may get dragged under!
Sarracenia ‘Reptilian Rose’
With a large, red, ruffled hood and gnarled, angled lip, S. Reptilian Rose is both beauty and beast. It's a cultivar from master breeder Phil Faulisi, and it's an absolute masterpiece.
Sarracenia ‘Alucard’
Sarracenia 'Alucard' is the magnificent progeny of S. flava rubicorpora and S. 'Royal Ruby'. Don't get it confused with a cultivar, though - only 'Prince of Darkness' holds that title.
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
Sarracenia ‘Saurus’ is the mythical monster moorei hybrid (S. leucophylla × flava var. ornata) that Phil Faulisi concocted in the spring of 2005. Everything is bigger on this pitcher plant - the height, the heft, the color, and the price tag!
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’
What happens when a S. x excellens hybrid goes rogue? S. 'Deep Throat' happens, and brings with it a broad pitcher, huge mouth, and wide lid. What a beaut!
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
Commonly known as S. flava Coppertop, this is one attractive yellow trumpet pitcher plant. I know trumpets are made out of brass, but copper is close enough... right?
Sarracenia purpurea
Sarracenia purpurea is commonly referred to as the purple pitcher plant and is arguably the most successful North American pitcher plant based on the size of its territory.
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.