Darlingtonia Country... Pics!

[maxposwillo 0]

Hey all,

I recently returned from the Gasquet area of northern California where I spent a whole day in search of Darlingtonia californica, Pinguicula macroceras, and Drosera rotundifolia. I ended up visiting five different locations which were all great and had large amounts of Darlingtonia californica at four sites, with Pinguicula macroceras at two, and Drosera rotundifolia at one. To see the pictures follow the link below, and they are in the subalbums to your left.

http://s197.photobucket.com/albums/aa167/s...onia%20Country/

Site 1...

This was the first stop of the day and I was amazed at what a large quantity of Darlingtonia was growing there, there had to be close to 200 Darlingtonia plants at this site which was the only CP present. Several Darlingtonia had vivid coloration but most only were moderately colored, fortunately this site is a state trail which is dedicated to rasing awareness of the genus Darlingtonia and provides a trail guide which explains how a Darlingtonia traps insects and also why it is unique to serpentine seeps.

Site 2...

This site I discovered by accident as I happend to notice several Darlingtonia plants growing about a hundred feet up a 70 degree rock wall in the running water of a waterfall. So I ended up climbing up the rockwall which had very few sturdy handholds except for a couple small pine trees to get a better look at the Darlingtonia... When I finally reached the Darlingtonia I noticed one of the clumps had stunning coloration while the other was mostly green, in the process of removing my camera from my bag I somehow manage to drop my lenscap in the waterfall never to be seen again.

Site 3...

This was the site where I was able to see Darlingtonia, Pinguicula macroceras, and Drosera rotundifolia all growing together. Most of the Darlingtonia had deep red coloration though some that were growing amongst the tall grasses and in had less coloration. There were a lot of Darlingtonia at this site, perhaps more than at the first. The Pinguicula macroceras were growing in a small seep of water in the middle of the site, there were approximatley 50 present at this site. And for the Drosera rotundifolia they were found growing in the dryer areas of the bog in large clumps, amongst the Darlingtonia, their coloration varied from a deep red to a light green.

Site 4...

This site had approximately 50 Darlingtonia, which was the only CP present. The Darlingtonia were growing on both sides of a popular hiking trail in a small water seep. The plants at this location were growing mainly in filtered light and did not have as stunning coloration as some of the other sites, but were still a pleasure to photograph. There were several seedlings of Darlingtonia growing nearly vertical on a patch of moss and had great coloration that really caught my eye.

Site 5...

This was my favorite site of all! It was a large rock wall almost completly covered with Darlingtonia and Pinguicula macroceras! The Darlingtonia had some of the best coloration of all the plants I have seen today, and the Pinguicula macroceras was literally all over the wall which was essentially a large water seep. Some specimens of Pinguicula macroceras were hanging onto grass blades that was drooping over a ledge and had water running down them, which I thought was one of the coolest things I saw that day. Several Darlingtonia specimens were growing on vertical rock faces only growing in a crack in the rock!

Unfortunatley that was the last site I was able to see that day as it was getting late, if you are interested in more pictures let me know and ill upload some more.

I hope all of you enjoyed the pictures and found this report helpful.

Max

Edited September 4, 2008 by maxposwillo

[LJ 0]

Looks like you had a good trip it must be great to see these plants out in their natural habitat - I really hope I get to see it one day...........

Thanks for posting, i certainly enjoyed reading your post and looking through your pics

Heather

[Daniel O. 62]

Hi Max,

fantastic pictures and nice report , for sure you have had a lot of fun.

Really very interesting to see them in such a big number.

Thanks for sharing.

Best regards,

Dani

[maxposwillo 0]

Thanks Heather and Dani, It was a Great trip alright. I was suprised at such large numbers of plants as well.

Max

[Iggy 3]

One lenscap less ,but you've seen a spectacular area

5 beautiful sites ,thanks for sharing !!

Iggy

[wadave 0]

Hi Max,

thanks for taking the time to share your photos, Darlingtonia are one of my very favourite species but I find them a bit of a bugger to keep long term.

I had some from seedlings and managed to keep them alive over about three summers and then one day during autumn last year I'd turned the cooler fan speed down as the day temps had started to drop into the mid 20's (degC). During a day I was away the temps exceeded 30 and by the time I got home it was too late, they had all wilted to nothing.

So now I get to live the dream of owning cobras through your excellent photos.

Dave.

[maxposwillo 0]

Thanks Iggy and Dave,

Dave: Sorry to hear about your Darlingtonia, you should definetly give Darlingtonia another shot though if you ever get the chance.

[Dieter 90]

Hi Max,

I agree with you that your 5th site is by far the most impressive I have seen so far. It would be very interesting to see whether the rock keep sliding over the years because I still think that the major part of the Darlingtonia were growing a few meter up the road about a decade ago where this year only was bare rock and gravel.

Thanks for sharing!

Dieter

[wadave 0]

Max, do you plan to go back when the pings are in flower?

That would look awesome.

I would love to give them another go but I think a better cooling system than just an evap cooler is in order for our Perth summers especially when it gets over 40degC.

Dave.

[maxposwillo 0]

Thanks Dieter, It will be interesting to see if the rock face keeps sliding over the years and what will become of the Darlingtonia and Pinguicula macroceras.

Dave: I probably will go back next spring if I can find the time, if I do Ill post another report so keep an eye out.