Philip Sheridan, Meadowview Biological Research Station and Dept. of Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University.

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation has suggested that a competitive interaction may occur between out-planted Sarracenia pitcher plants and the New Jersey Rush.  For interspecific competition to occur there must be a shared, limiting resource and reduction in fitness in the presence of the presumed competitor.  Light and nutrient appear to be the main limiting resources to these herbaceous species.  Light is only limited by shrub encroachment and not an interaction between the two species.  Two introductions of Sarracenia purpurea to New Jersey Rush bogs in Caroline County, Virginia have resulted in increased fitness of both species.  These results may be explained by a commensal relationship in which Sarracenia supply limiting nitrogen and phosphorus through prey capture in the insectivorous leaves.