Pinguicula immaculata

Pinguicula immaculata

TAXONOMY:

Family : Lentibulariaceae

Genus : Pinguicula

Name : Pinguicula immaculata

Sub-classification (Casper) : link

Publication : Sergio Zamudio and Alexander Lux, Acta botanica Mexicana, 1992, N°20, pages 39-44. "Una nueva especie gipsicola de Pinguicula (Lentibulariaceae), de Nuevo Leon, mexico".

DESCRIPTION : (by Sergio Zamudio and Alexander Lux)

Herba perennis. Folia radicalia dimorpha; "hiemalia" 10 - 15, crassa, oblonga, 4 - 8.5 mm longa, 1 - 3 mm lata, apice villosa, pilis multicellularibus capitatis; "aestivalia" 6 - 8, petiolata, laminae ellipticae, margine involutae, 4 - 9 mm longae, 3 - 5 mm latae, petioli ad apicem villosi, pilis multicellularibus capitatis, 4 - 9 mm longi, 2 mm lati. Pedunculi 1 - 3, glabri, 15 - 60 mm longi, 0.5 mm lati. Flores 10 - 20 mm longi (calcare incluso); calyx bilabiatus, ciliatus, labium superum trilobatum, lobis triangularibus, 1 - 2 mm longis, 0.5 - 1.5 mm latis, labium inferum bilobatum, lobis triangularibus, 0.7 - 1.2 mm longis, 0.4 - 0.8 mm latis; corolla bilabiata, alba, labio infero ad basem macula luteo-virescenti ornato, labium superum bilobatum, lobis oblongis, 1 - 3 mm longis, 1 - 1.5 mm latis, labium inferum supero manifeste majus, pilis multicellularibus cylindrico-subulatis in macula lutea munitum, inaequaliter trilobatum, lobis lateralibus obovatis, 2.5 - 6 mm longis, 1.5 - 4 mm latis, lobo medio lateralibus notabiliter longiore, obovato, apice emarginato, 5 - 10 mm longo, 4 - 10 mm lato; tubus brevissimus, infundibuliformis, 1 - 2 mm longus, 2 - 3 mm ltus, intra pilis multicellularibus cylindrico-subulatis usque ad subcapitatis, retrorsis munitus; palatum nullum; calcar cylindricum, subviolaceum, 3.5 - 9 mm longum, 0.5 - 4 mm latum; stamina 2, geniculata, antheris rubro-violaceis, ellipsoidalibus, +/- 0.5 mm longis, +/- 0.7 mm latis. Capsula subglobosa, 1.5 - 2 mm longa, 2 - 3 mm lata. Semina numerosa, ellipsoidalia, 0.5 - 0.7 mm longa, +/- 0.2 mm lata, superficie reticulata, spiculata.

translation :

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ORIGIN AND HISTORY :

The discovery of a new species can be sometimes due to the chance : In January 1990, one of the authors (A. Lux), found a new species of Pinguicula in flowers when he was exploring the landscape around Rayones. The very small plants, growing between colonies of selaginella on the gypsum ground of the vertical walls of a gorge, powerfully caught his attention while he was taking pictures.

Localisation / Map:

According to the publication, the type specimen was found at an altitude of 1300m between Rayones and Galeana. Pinguicula immaculata can be found also near Santa Rita at altitudes above 2180m.

(click on the map for better location and relief map)

HABITAT:

According to the publication, the type specimen was found in a gorge on a gypsum cliff with a vegetation of Matorral submontano, Mortonia greggii, Gochnatia hypoleuca, Agave sp. and Hechtia sp. at an altitude of 1300m between Rayones and Galeana. Pinguicula immaculata can be found also on gypsum hillsides near Santa Rita at altitude altitudes above 2180m.

TEMPERATURE and PRECIPITATIONS :

Click on the graph to enlarge and see graph of normal precipitation and normal average temperature. Normal values are 30-year averages for the period 1961 to 1990. The weather stations are grouped by region (see map of weather stations).

Introduction in culture :

No data. I bought my plant in A. Wistuba's carnivorous plants nursery.

CULTURE AND MULTIPLICATION :

(North hemisphere, France near Paris, in a polycarbonate greenhouse - see the map -)

Life cycle : The life cycle observed in culture for this Pinguicula consists of two seasons, one wet and the other dry (see link). The plant forms different leaf rosettes according to the season. During the resting months (winter) the small succulent rosette is composed of numerous non-carnivorous leaves. The carnivorous leaves are produced in spring and during all summer. The flowering occurs from winter rosette. The life cycle of the plant is probably similar in it's native habitat but I have no data.

Media : I use a 100 % mineral media : 2 perlite, 2 vermiculite, 1 small sand (for aquarium), 1 fine white sand, 1 pouzzolane (volcanic lava), 1 aqualit (expansed ceramic for aquarium). The aqualit can be replaced by 1 of pouzzolane. Plants in this media grow slower but have a stronger root system. I add some small blocks of gypsum on the top of the media. Is it usefull or not, I don't know.

Pot : plastic, colour terracotta, diameter 20cm, height 12cm for forming a colony.

Cultivation : I think that a slightly airy situation inside the greenhouse is important to avoid air stagnation. For this reason, I use a fan 24h/24h all the year round.

Watering is very important : from May to September (summer). I let the media drying slightly between two watering. I use rain water poured on the top of the pot taking care not to wet the rosette. From October to April, It is important to let the media drying completely (no watering) but with an atmospheric humidity of about 80%.

The mentioned months are indicative and can change according to your own growing conditions. In fact, when this Pinguicula begins to produce its non-carnivorous leaves, you have to stop watering and let the pot drying out completely. Inversely, when the plant begins to produce in early spring its carnivorous leaves, you have to progressively start watering again the pot.

Temperatures : during growth period, day temperatures are about 25°C but may reach 35°C when the sun is shining on the greenhouse in spite of the use of shading covers. Night temperatures are around 20°C. During resting period : day/night over freezing point. Lower temperature observed : - 4°C. I use an electronic petroleum heater to provide heat.

Flowering period :

Multiplication : I have succeeded in pollinating the flowers of this Pinguicula once. The plants can be propagated easily using non-carnivorous leaves separated from the rosette at the end of winter. You only have to carefully tear out the totality of the leaf including the white base as the plantlets will sprout from this area.

PICTURES: (click to enlarge)