Pinguiculas (Pings for enthusiasts) develop succulent non carnivorous leaves in the winter dry season. See http://www.pinguicula.org/ for the most complete database about these plants. Emilie Pulver Chicago CP grower (carnivorous plants) -----Original Message----- From: pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Dennis Kramb Sent: Sunday, February 21, 2010 2:21 PM To: Pacific Bulb Society Subject: [pbs] Pinguicula medusina, a geophyte? So I've been mesmerized by a new (to me) genus of insectivorous plants: Pinguicula... aka butterworts. I got my first one a few days ago, and it's got me wanting more and more. I'm especially excited about the diversity of Pinguiculas from the southeastern USA (not too far from where I live). I never realized what a hotbed of carnivorosity (?) (umm... carnivorous diversity?) the southeastern USA is! I had no reason to believe they might be geophytes (or of interest to PBS members) until I read this about Pinguicula medusina, of Oaxaca, Mexico: "In December, the "winter rosette " is formed. The " winter rosette " is compact, like an onion bulb and buried under the soil surface. In this state, the plant is protected by a sheath of dry leaves like a skin until the next growing period." So now I'm all confused! Can I get a ruling on this? Geophyte, or not? Perhaps a "seasonal geophyte"? Ugh... why can't nature behave and fit nicely into man-made categories?!?! Stupid nature. The excerpt, above, comes from this page http://pinguicula.org/pages/plantes/… in the "Life Cycle" section. If only my tax refund was bigger... I could buy more of these little cuties! Dennis in Cincinnati, where the snow is melting fast