n. [ OE. picher, OF. pichier, OHG. pehhar, pehhāri; prob. of the same origin as E. beaker. Cf. Beaker. ] 1. A wide-mouthed, deep vessel for holding liquids, with a spout or protruding lip and a handle; a water jug or jar with a large ear or handle. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. (Bot.) A tubular or cuplike appendage or expansion of the leaves of certain plants. [ 1913 Webster ]
American pitcher plants, the species of Sarracenia. See Sarracenia. --
Australian pitcher plant, the Cephalotus follicularis, a low saxifragaceous herb having two kinds of radical leaves, some oblanceolate and entire, others transformed into little ovoid pitchers, longitudinally triple-winged and ciliated, the mouth covered with a lid shaped like a cockleshell. --
California pitcher plant, the Darlingtonia California. See Darlingtonia. --
Pitcher plant, any plant with the whole or a part of the leaves transformed into pitchers or cuplike organs, especially the species of Nepenthes. See Nepenthes. [ 1913 Webster ]