Last year was probably one of the best years to see Sarracenias in the SE US because, of adequate precipitation. Most years, including this year, many plants in the field look stressed. Some plants even return to a dormant state, only to recover when conditions are optimal. Only by visiting a site several different times per year for several years, can you begin to appreciate the remarkable adaptation of these plants.
It's nice to see concern for these plants but, it almost seems like the response to this is "over-reaction" when all the facts aren't known. A fews years ago there was mention of a couple of sites in Alabama that were "poached" of their alatas. The ICPS even had mention of this on their website. That year was an especially severe drought. I wonder if the plants simply didn't respond to the environment and return to a state of dormancy. Perhaps the very next year, the alatas magically returned when the conditions returned to normal.
I don't question that poaching occurs but, I do question the scale. I've visited many sites throughout the SE US, and have yet to find the large scale poaching that we fear. Although, I have come across many sites that are totally destroyed due to habitat destruction. I have seen this more times than I want to remember. BTW, there was mention earlier this year of the Yellow River site being sprayed with herbicide. Has this been confirmed? If so, to what extent?
I only make these comments because, this enthusiasm should be directed to the real threats these plants face. This is the first step in saving them. Perhaps someone could offer their opinion of what these threats are. I feel the threat is almost entirely from habitat destruction. Just my opinion.
imduff