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Bog Orchidous And Insectivorous Plants |
H. cristata has rather small orange flowers with cut-edged
petals.
H. rotundifolia has eight- to ten-inch spikes of small rose-
pink flowers.
Orchis is the name given to another large group in the
orchid family. These species require partial shade and good
peaty soil which should be moist but not remain wet.
O. latifolia is the Marsh Orchid with greyish-green leaves
and rosy-purple flowers on stems varying from eight to twenty
inches.
O. maculata (The Spotted Orchis) has leaves marked with
purple and deep lilac flowers on twenty-four- to thirty-inch
stems. This native orchid not only produces seed very freely
but has tubers which spread quickly when growing in suitable
conditions.
O. pyramidalis prefers the rather drier part of the bog
garden and appreciates lime. The rosy-crimson flowers are
produced very freely.
Spiranthes is an orchid producing its flowers in spiral form,
and S. aestivalis is a rare British species producing white
flowers on fifteen- to eighteen-inch stems. It is particularly
happy in peaty soil.
Most of the insectivorous plants are interesting rather than
beautiful, some being of weird appearance. They are so con-
structed that they are able to trap insects. In most cases these
prisoners are dissolved in the 'trap' and serve to nourish the
plant. While the majority of such plants are best grown where
they have some cover and protection, there are a few which
are suitable for the bog garden.
Dionaea muscipula is known as Venus Fly Trap which out-
doors must be grown in a sheltered place. The white flowers
are of secondary value and are best removed. The leaf edges
are furnished with tooth-like hairs and the surface of the leaves
is attractive to insects. When they alight the leaves suddenly
close, the 'teeth' interlocking and eventually killing the insect
Drosera is the name of the plants often known as Sundews.
The slender leaves are covered with glistening viscid hairs
which look like dew. This attracts insects, which when they
settle, are held by the sticky hairs. The victims are enfolded
by the leaf and more fluid eventually dissolves the softer parts
of the insect.
D. longifolia has more or less upright leaves while D.
rotundijolia has flat rosettes of foliage and both have small
white flowers.
Sarracenia. This has the common names of Pitcher Plant
and Huntsman's Cup. There are many species but extremely
few can be regarded as hardy. All are decorative producing
pitchers containing liquid. Insects are attracted by the nectar
diffusing glands and slip into the pitcher, but they cannot
escape because of the many downward-pointing hairs.
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