- Breeder
- John Hummer
- First described
- 2012
- Type
- registered cultivar historical
Origin
Bred by John Hummer. A backcross: F1 (psittacina × alabamensis) re-crossed to alabamensis, giving 75% alabamensis genetics. The hammerhead-shark-shaped pitcher head names the cultivar.
History
- Pre-2012: Hummer makes the cross; clone enters cultivation.
- 2012-09-24 (post #1): Mike posts the clone, with the reveal that he almost discarded it because of unimpressive juvenile growth — but it matured into a standout.
- 2015-08 & 2015-09: peak photo documentation (yellow full-sun coloration).
- 2020-12 (kirkauburn, post #9): groups it with Judith Hindle as "underappreciated common hybrids".
- 2020-12 (clue, post #10): documents the sweet floral fragrance from established clumps.
- 2023-10: Mike's full-sun dense-clump shot + alabamensis breeding endorsement.
Standout traits
- Hammerhead pitcher form — diagnostic.
- Yellow trap color in full sun (dull green in shade).
- Vigorous clumping — fast specimen formation.
- Sweet-fragrant flowers.
- Underrated — kirkauburn's reading.
Cultivation notes
Full sun is essential for the yellow color expression. In partial shade the clone produces dull-green pitchers and most of its appeal is lost. Otherwise standard hybrid Sarracenia care.
For breeders, Mike (post #12, 2023) volunteers that alabamensis itself is "way under-rated" with high color potential — Autauga Co, AL yellow clones in particular are worth cross-breeding.
Photos
24 Mike-Wang photos spanning 2012-09 → 2023-10.
Standout traits
- Hammerhead-shaped pitcher head — the trait the cultivar is named for
- Forms beautiful specimens with abundance of short, sturdy pitchers
- Fast-growing — Mike (post #1, 2012): 'this plant is a weed and grows extremely fast'
- Yellow-tinged pitchers under full sun — color from alabamensis parent (sarraceniaobsessed, post #2, 2012)
- Elongated lid from alabamensis parent
- Clumping habit forms dense clumps in full sun (Mike, post #12, 2023)
- Sweet-fragrant flowers — characteristic of rubra-complex hybrids; established clump 'has a fantastic smell' (clue, post #10, 2020)
- Deceptive first impression: Mike (post #1, 2012) almost discarded it for being 'dull green' early on; matured into a standout
Cultivation
Easy and fast in full sun. The yellow-color expression requires full-sun exposure; partial sun gives the dull-green look that Mike initially disliked. Forms substantial clumps relatively quickly compared to other Sarracenia hybrids.
Mike's 2023 commentary on alabamensis (post #12): "that species is way under-rated, it has incredible color potential with breeding, so if you can get your hands on some nice yellow clones (mainly from Autuga Co, AL), don't miss the chance to breed with them!" This is a Mike-stamp of breeding endorsement for alabamensis-cross hybrids in general.
Photos (24)
Naming
"Hummer" — John Hummer, the breeder. "Hammerhead" — the head shape of the pitcher resembles a hammerhead shark.