Total carbohydrates in nectar of Sarracenia purpurea L. (northern pitcher plant)

Sarracenia purpurea L. (northern pitcher plant) attracts insect prey by manufacturing nectar on pitchers. We adapted a technique using filter paper wicks to sample nectar for analysis of total carbohydrates to address two questions. First, does total carbohydrate in nectar vary on different parts of the pitcher? Second, does nectar vary in total carbohydrate among pitchers of different age? The mouth of the pitcher produced measurable amounts of total carbohydrates, whereas the hood and external wing of the pitcher did not. Young pitchers produced measurable amounts of total carbohydrates, but older pitchers did not. Use of filter paper wicks is a valuable technique for study of pitcher plant nectar.