Parentage: S. (S. purpurea × S. psittacina) × (S. leucophylla × S. psittacina)

Description: A medium-height, bunch-forming plant that produces numerous pitchers throughout the growing season. The colouration reflects strong S. leucophylla influence, with a predominantly white lid marked by dark maroon venation visible on both surfaces once mature. Newly formed pitchers display green venation that progresses to reds with age. The lid is significantly broader than the pitcher opening and held in a near-vertical, flared position. A vigorous and easily propagated hybrid, forming numerous divisions around its base that can be detached without disturbing the parent plant.

Some background on the naming / history of this plant

In short, the general consensus is that ×umlauftiana can be used in reference to any plant with the above parentage, though most who have a plant of this name likely have divisions from the same "remade" clone. The original specimen has most likely been lost from cultivation - read on for the details!

In the past, a small number of complex horticultural hybrids were given formal Latin names, in the same way as any naturally occuring taxa. This practice is no longer followed, though those names remain valid. Given the period when this plant was named, it is impossible to determine whether the original cross involved S. purpurea or S. rosea, as they were considered the same taxon at the time.

The ICPS Names Database lists the original source for ×umlauftiana as Oesterr. Gart. Z. 8:43 (1913), short for Österreichische Garten-Zeitung (Austrian Gardening Newspaper). I located the original publication (see screenshot of the original page) but found only a brief mention of the plant in the translated text, followed by “Fortsetzung folgt,” which translates to “to be continued.” So far, I have been unable to locate where Hefka continued his account. Nonetheless, I have included a full translation of these pages below.

A forum discussion on ×umlauftiana also mentions an additional historic source — Journal of the New York Botanical Garden, Vol. 29 (1928), No. 339 — which provides a detailed history of the Imperial Gardens at Schönbrunn, where the plant was originally held. It also references Anton Umlauft, after whom the hybrid was presumably named, describing him as “a man of unusual knowledge, coupled with a captivating amiability.” The article further details the fate of the Schönbrunn collection, suggesting that the original ×umlauftiana specimen was likely lost as a consequence of the war:

“The war and post-war times tore so many gaps in the plant stock of Schönbrunn and caused such arduous labour for its devoted director that he decided to resign from further service in the spring of 1919. Next to Schott, one of the most renowned gardeners was lost to the world upon the death of Umlauft.”

If you have any further information on ×umlauftiana please get in touch, particularly if you know where I can obtain the "to be continued" content associated with the original publication.

Oesterr. Gart. Z. 8:43 (1913)

Translation from “Neue Sarracenien-Hybriden” by Anton Hefka

They are actually new only to the public. For several years now, the following hybrids have enriched the rare collection of insect-eating plants, of which many specimens are represented in the Schönbrunn plant collections.

The Schönbrunn Gardens have exhibited Sarracenia several times. Particularly rich displays of strong specimens were shown in 1898 at the Jubilee Horticultural Exhibition in the Prater, where, alongside typical forms, foreign cultivars were also on view.

Because many species of this genus are as interesting as they are decorative—and bring pleasant variety to collections, especially at the end of the growing season in autumn—it was also a goal at Schönbrunn to create new forms.

In the illustration (Fig. 18), three hybrids are shown to illustrate their habit, though not their colouring. Perhaps there will be another opportunity to show that later. The new forms were named exclusively after experts—those who had worked with these plants and earned distinction through their care.

The middle specimen shows Sarracenia hyb. Vogeliana (S. × courtii × S. × stevensii), a very fast-growing and vigorous form. The approximately 25 cm tall pitchers, with upright lids, stand midway in appearance between the parents. The same may be said of their colouring—brown upon green.

Characteristic of this hybrid’s vigour is its bud formation, visible in the centre just above the rim of the pot, appearing like a button at the time of the photograph (mid-September). Franz August Vogel, after whom the plant is named, was garden inspector at Schönbrunn from 1896 to 1908 and was awarded the title of Imperial Councillor upon his retirement in recognition of long service.

S. hyb. Laschkei (S. × courtii × S. × mooreana) is the weaker specimen on the right. It bears the name of its breeder, who for many years was responsible for the cultivation of insect-eating plants, and all the local novelties up to 1911 were his work. The plant shows weaker growth than S. hyb. Mooreana, itself a descendant of S. flava × S. drummondii. Nevertheless, it recalls S. flava strongly in both growth and markings. This example again points to the “right of the stronger,” which continues to assert itself in the second generation as a characteristic of hybrids.

The left-hand image shows S. hyb. Diesneriana (S. × courtii × S. flava), a union of equally strong values. Both parents have disappeared, yet they present in the offspring a new form, consistent and without variation. The prostrate habit of the mother is raised by the father S. flava, while the tall growth of the father is subdued by the mother S. courtii. The pitchers, up to 30 cm long, display a yellow-green to brown colouring. The spherical habit of the depicted plant is typical of the whole seed batch.

Karl Diesner, formerly Imperial and Royal Head Gardener, was for many years director of the Schönbrunn plant gardens and previously caretaker of the Sarracenia collection.

A few further hybrids should be mentioned, which there will be opportunity to become acquainted with later:

• S. hyb. Umlauftiana (S. × courtii × S. × wrigleyana)

• S. hyb. Schoenbrunnensis (S. × courtii × S. × cookeana)

• S. hyb. Vetteriana (S. × illustrata × S. × stevensii)

(To be continued.)

Sources

• Oesterr. Gart. Z. 8:43 (1913)

• Journal of the New York Botanical Garden, Vol. 29 (1928), No. 339

• Forum discussion on ×umlauftiana