Heliamphora look like a much ancient and simple
type of Sarracenia with the tube looking much
more like the two sides of the leaf being joined
together to make the trap.
The plant also has much smaller size lid/cap that does
not cover the trap at all like with some types of
Sarracenia.
Plants grow only in South America, unlike their related
cousins Darlingtonia & Sarracenia that
only grow in North America.
They grows in remote locations of the table top ( flat
topped ) mountains of northern Brazil, Guyana & the
highlands of southern Venezuela.
These plants are found at around 4,000 to 6,000 feet
above sea level in cool tropical climate. normally with
growing at round cloud level.
This means the plant has a high level of rainfall and
high winds and also puts up with a higher levels of sun
light being above the clouds level at times of the day.
With the rain washing any minerals from pools that are
made by the weather on these mountains, the plant can
grow well with mosses and
other Carnivorous Plants like Bladderworts and Sundews.
Two types of these Heliamphora ( Sun pitchers)
that have been noted to grow in marshes off the mountain
tops ( H. heterodoxa & H. minor ) ( see
full plant list below ) The plant traps grow from a rhizome
that has wiry roots.
The traps are less fancy looking like it's cousins with
no tongues, large hoods and light windows, but it is
sophisticated with being able to take the high levels of
winds and sun.
And the trap has nectar glands as a lure on the out
sides, it also has these glands in the small hood witch
some call a cap.
The cap goes red in the sunlight and over hangs the
trap.
With the high rainfalls the plant has narrow slit down
to midway front of the traps of this.
Trap has small down pointing hairs on the upper part of
inside, like some of Sarracenia cousins, then mid
part has no hairs then at the bottom the hairs are back
but in water.
It has been noted by a well known grower of
Insectivorous plants that
Heliamphora small hood/cap is a size for only just
one fly so if two come to that point one will loose and
be trapped. ( see diagram below )
Also at that point below the cap it has an area with no
hairs so the fly that is pushed off by the other goes
into water below quicker.
Unlike in Sarracenia the nectar in Heliamphora
has yet to be found with any drugs.
The flowers of the plant are very nice being red,
bell-shaped on a tall stem.
The flower have no real petals has it evolved tepals
which are midway between petals and sepals.
The plant flowers in winter and spring usually.
Flower are normally the best way to make identification
of species as the growth is very dependable on it
growing environment which easy affect appearance off the
plant.
Cultivation
Soil for these plants should be open wet and
well-drained.
An mix of two parts perlite and one part sphagnum moss
peat will work.
There are other soil mixes named in books about
Insectivorous plants.
The plant like to have drainage holes in the container
it grows in.
Water with rain water, you can use the tray method with
frequent overhead watering with cool water.
Keep soil wet all times.
The plant like full light but may take half light. Avoid
the pots overheating.
Temperatures
Night between 45 & 60 degrees
Day between 60 & 80 degrees cooler days are better.
High humidity is needed with good air circulation.
There are books for sale on this site which will give
fuller details then above.
