Pitcher Plants at the North Springfield Bog

The North Springfield bog is a boreal, kettle bog, a remnant of the last glacial age, 10,000 years ago. Pitcher plants are carnivorous, insect eating plants.

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Pitcher Plants at the North Springfield Bog


This morning we visited the North Springfield Bog, a type of wetland characterized by a thick mat of partially decomposed plant material and highly acidic water. The North Springfield bog is a boreal, kettle bog, a remnant of the last glacial age, 10,000 years ago.



Bogs have poor drainage and no supply of fresh water other than rain. A wide range of plant and animal species are adapted for bog living, including carnivorous plants! This particular bog is known for its carnivorous pitcher plants.



The Northern Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia purpurea) has pitcher-like leaves that collect rainwater and excrete digestive chemicals. When insects, attracted to the colored lip of the leaf, walk into the structure, they become trapped and eventually drown. The bacteria and enzymes digest the insects and the plant absorbs the nutrients. Like all carnivorous plants, they grow in locations where the soil is too poor in minerals and too acidic for most plants to survive.



A pitcher plant will produce a single flower that has 5, red petals that quickly drop off, leaving the seed pod.


The Ascutney Mountain Audubon Society constructed a boardwalk through the bog for great viewing. More information including directions, can be found on Ascutney Mtn's website: ascutney mountain audubon society

Posted by JoAnne Russo at 7:12 PM