Jungle Blossoms pt 4

[...] Once the Spilled pitcher senses that the prey has been fully drawn in, the out downward facing lips of the bulbous plant begins to contract, interlacing the spiny inward facing edge and sealing tight the opening along with anything that might still remain within. All the while, it still produces a substantial amount of digestive fluids. Now with the its maw fused shut, it will fill with the aforementioned fluids until the sides of the bulb's carapace is taught with the pressure of it.

From here, the Spilled Pitcher may remain sealed for upwards of 6 months at a time as it slowly breaks down the contents of the bulb. It will not reopen again until all consumable materials are absorbed where upon it will reopen and subsequently expels any inorganic or other wise inedible aspects of its catch. An easy way to identify whether a tree is occupied by one of these rare species of flora is that often at the trees base, even if the bulb is too high in its branches to spot, will be littered with the inedible parts of previous meals; bones, teeth, metals, etc. Though a note of warning. Most often, if you are close enough to see and recognize these leavings, you are close enough to mistakenly step onto any errant sticky vines that the Spilled pitcher has likely lane out.

Earlier it was mentioned that after the Spilled Pitcher reaches maturity, that its previous parasitic relation ship with its host tree then transforms to a symbiotic one. When it is ready to hunt the spilled pitcher will share its catch with the host tree. The roots and grasping vines, once primarily used by the young bulb to draw strength from the tree, are now utilized to share the rich nutrients from digested prey animals, giving the trees massive boosts to their growth. Which in turn will better hid the Spilled pitcher. Isn't nature remarkable.


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Hope you enjoyed that glimpse into the rare Spilled Pitcher.  I originally planned to leave it off here, but if there is enough interest I may do fifth, depending on how I feel.