Bloomipedia
White pitcher plant (Sarracenia leucophylla)
Photo: Dan Vickers via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

White pitcher plant

Sarracenia leucophylla

Native to Alabama

White pitcher plant is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. In Alabama it's most often seen in bloom in March–June.

5states
1,854AL sightings*
3,892U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Alabama

Quick look

Sarracenia leucophylla, also known as the crimson pitcherplant, purple trumpet-leaf or white pitcherplant, is a carnivorous plant in the genus Sarracenia.

  • It belongs to the Sarraceniaceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 5 states. USDA PLANTS
  • NatureServe lists it as native to Alabama. NatureServe
  • In Alabama, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in March–June. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 1,854 research-grade sightings of it in Alabama, ranking #12 among the 111 flowers on our Alabama list. iNaturalist

White pitcher plant gift ideas

Handmade white pitcher plant gifts from independent makers.

When does it bloom?

In Alabama, most flowering sightings come in March–June.

Flowering records by month in Alabama (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (116 records)

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed Not listed under the Endangered Species Act. USFWS ECOS does track it with the label “Species of Concern,” which is informal and gives no legal protection. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
G3 Vulnerable worldwide. NatureServe
Alabama
No list Alabama has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Alabama ranks instead. NatureServe: S3, vulnerable in Alabama.
Rare elsewhere
Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: GA (S1), MS (S2). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Please leave it where it grows

Please don't pick or dig this flower: NatureServe ranks it S3 in Alabama. NatureServe

Can you eat it?

For peopleNot well documented

None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no edibility or poison notes on its page), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people. NC State Extension

For petsNot well documented

It isn't on the ASPCA plant list, and NC State Extension doesn't flag it for pets.

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records white pitcher plant in 5 states.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina.

Alabama counties with USDA records: Baldwin, Crenshaw, Mobile, Pike, Washington.

More Alabama flowers

Sources