Sarracenia alata Wood: Surface anatomy of mature leaves and seed germination requirements

The epidermal anatomy of mature leaves of Sarracenia alata was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Carnivorous leaves of S. alata are composed of a pitcher, peristome, ala, and hood. Internally, these leaves are divided into four zones. Internal and external samples of all four zones were examined using SEM. The presence of key identifying features, such as trichomes, stomata, and nectar glands, were noted for each zone and their densities quantified. Trichome morphology and density were found to differ among zones, and stomata were recessed. Seed germination requirements for S. alata were investigated using cold stratification and phytohormones. Germination treatments included: the control, no stratification with gibberellins, two weeks (with/without abscisic acid), four weeks, and six weeks cold stratification. Both two week stratification treatments yielded similar germination rates to the four and six week stratification treatments.