| |
Pinguicula lusitanica is a species restricted to coastal
areas from the Mediterranean coast of North-Western
Africa, along the Atlantic coast of Spain, France to
Southern England, all coastal regions of Ireland and
Scottland, reaching even the Orkney Islands. Pinguicula
lusitanica grows mainly in sphagnum bogs, and can be
submerged by few centimeter for few days, most of the
time during rains season. Pinguicula lusitanica is the
easiest warm temperate Pinguicula to grow.
The leaves of this plant are similar to those of
Pinguicula vulgaris. They are a little more round in
shape. The leaves also show a very nice red teinted vein
on the green leaves. The leaves of Pinguicula are in
basal rosettes and are covered with sticky, mucilage-secreting
and digestive hairs. The margins roll inward in response
to contact of the hairs by potential prey organisms.
Nitrogenous and other nutrients released by the digested
prey supplement the plant's requirements. These
modifications help such plant species compete in nutrient-deficient
habitats.
The flowers are pale mauve or whitish with yellow throat
and 6 mm in diameter. They are strongly curved downwards.
The flower is much smaller and paler than that of
Pinguicula vulgaris, and the leaves tend often to be
reddish in colour.
It is an annual bi or triannual species than doesn't
produce Winter hibernacula but the Winter leaves are
smaller and sometimes only the heart of the plant stay
green while all is brownish around. In Summer, it
produces new leaves and many flowers that self-pollinated.
Pinguicula Lusitanica can flower a half year after
germination.
Hardiness zone 11, (4°C/40°F) in Winter. Pinguicula
lusitanica require dry Winter conditions. This species is
one of the easiest to grow as it accept a vast range of
growing conditions. It grows under sun in many places,
only shaded by small grasses. Warm temperate Pinguicula
grow well in a mixture of three parts peat moss, one part
silica sand, and one part perlite. Best grown outdoors as
a container or potted plant. Because of their specific
soil requirement, avoid planting them in the ground.
Excellent for the deck or patio. Use rain water poured on
the top of the pot taking care not to wet the rosette.
|
|