Doheny Memorial Library, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0189 Public Domain. Release under the CC BY Attribution license--http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/--Credit both “University of Southern California. Libraries” and “California Historical Society” as the source. Digitally reproduced by the USC Digital Library; From the California Historical Society Collection at the University of Southern California Send requests to address or e-mail given USC Libraries Special Collections specol@usc.edu
Description
Photograph of a close-up of a specimen of a pitcher plant (Sarracenia purpurea), ca.1920. The "pitcher" of the plant is shown to the right, severed from its stalk, whle a second pod is shown extending out on an s-shaped stem to the left. A neutral background can be seen behind. "A plant that eats meat to obtain food has always intrigued the imagination of people. Fortunately, the pitcher plant is only a few inches tall and is only a threat to insects that come to explore the red-meat-looking interior. The plant grows in boggy areas and has tube shaped leaves that collect water and contains a mixture of chemicals that dissolves the bodies of insects that become trapped inside. The fluids are then absorbed into the plant as food. The pitchers are green on the outside and red on the inside. Hairs in the interior point downward so that insects that enter the pitcher has a very hard time getting out. The hairs push the insects farther down until they land in the acidic fluids." -- unknown author.
Type
image
Format
2 photographs : glass photonegative, photoprint, b&w 26 x 21 cm. glass plate negatives photographic prints photographs
If you're wondering about permissions and what you can do with this item, a good starting point is the "rights information" on this page. See our terms of use for more tips.
Share your story
Has Calisphere helped you advance your research, complete a project, or find something meaningful? We'd love to hear about it; please send us a message.
