Seed Germination of the Northern Pitcher Plant, Sarracenia purpurea

Abstract

We present data on dormancy-breaking requirements and germina- tion rates of the northern pitcher plant, Sarracenia purpurea var. terrae-novae de la Pylaie. Upon dispersal from the parent plant, embryos are only partially developed. Seeds require a prolonged moist chilling period for after-ripening and maturation of the embryo but scarification prior to stratification is not required for germination. Exposure to light stimulates germination. Eighty-five percent of seeds moist chilled for 6 weeks germinated when placed into ambient sunlight, as compared with only 53% of seeds moist chilled for 4 weeks and then placed in ambient sunlight. Fewer than 10% of seeds germinated when placed in darkness following moist chilling. Germination rate in the light was more rapid among seeds stratified for 6 weeks than those moist chilled for 4 weeks. These data suggest that S. purpurea seeds are dispersed in a state of morphological dor- mancy.