Jump to content

Amuri Part III - in search for Heliamphora


Recommended Posts

The next day should be Heliamphora day. One species we had already found - H. pulchella. But we knew that there should be at least two more species.

H. exappendiculata was long discovered and officially described, and another so far undescribed plant we wanted to find to get some pictures for the species description. We had some rough location information, and so our today's destination. 

 

As beautiful as the day before had ended, as beautiful was the beginning of this day. So - lets have a coffee first and enjoy the scenery... 

 

13764635035_51d448469c_h.jpg

 

13764999074_ce14459e2a_h.jpg

 

Andy, obviously looking forward to the day -

 

13764634255_c38349eee8_h.jpg

 

But now let's getting started - so much to discover here...

Our way lead us through various picturesque canyions along impressive cliffs

 

13764998044_bbd99ffa75_h.jpg

 

... that were not that easy to track through, as it might look in the above picture. Vegetation was quite dense, so hard to spot the person in front already some meters away. Andreas in less than 2 meters distance: 

 

13764642433_45c694e551_h.jpg

 

So we got ahead quite slowly, what at first was not at all a problem  - so much to discover everywhere. Like this pinkish U. quelchii, a colour variation we only found on this mountain:

 

 

13764631153_caee2a7ab1_h.jpg

 

A little stream that shows this tannine-coloured, super clear water:

 

13764625095_f9366a2d0b_h.jpg

 

Straight above, my first U. jamesoniana in nature: 

 

13764995384_bcd76d5ff2_h.jpg

 

Here the plant in focus with its leaves, tubers and the thread-like stolons: 

 

13764995244_aa144a64a7_b.jpg

 

Further we go - past this stony rhino:

 

13764629095_4074dba1e3_h.jpg

 

and other petrified creatures:

 

13764627635_29624a89e5_h.jpg

 

No- the one in front is alive and out of flesh and blood ;) Darren amazed by the cliff formation. 

 

Finally we came to the gorge where the searched Heliamphora should grow. And yes, with the help of binoculars or a tele lens - there is something quite promising to spot: (did you find them?)

 

13764991604_8b1a90e156_h.jpg

 

Now we just had to cross the gorge - what turned out to be not as easy as it looked. In fact - this was the end of our way and our today's try. We tried it several times on several spots, but finally had to give up and return to the camp. Already too late in the day (and we were all a bit weakened by "Amuri's revenge" (if you know what I mean ;-)

 

So we went back. Not too sad, was a great trip anyway. Just to see H. pulchella like this below once in a lifetime, would be worth it:

 

13764624195_ba03592d96_h.jpg

 

Here with the long stalks, that are designed to keep the pollinators out of the range of the pitchers:

 

13764623595_b09d699fe5_h.jpg

 

Still life with Drosera and Xyris wink.png

 

13764623195_0f48719179_h.jpg

 

and here together with a neat little Utricularia, U. nana:

 

13764987944_8a210a983c_h.jpg

 

Just before we arrived back at the camp, another nice surprise for the Utricularia fan (just like the day before, when I discovered my first quelchii in the evening) Spotted already from a distance, I got immediately electrified  ...

 

13764985744_67fa9d4d02_h.jpg

 

U. humboldtii! The Utricularia with the biggest flowers. And what a flower: 

 

13764621575_6e93c5984e_h.jpg

 

Here the leaves:

 

13764632693_f0c64dd302_b.jpg

 

So, there was nothing to complain about this day! And we had still another one left. Now we new the way to the Heliamphora gorge, so we decided to start off tomorrow earlier (and no stopping every few meters ;) ) and have another try. 

 

And a little anticipation: there were some more rarities to be found that next day (some hoped-for and some unexpected), so worth to join part IV of this series ;-)

 

Part I                                 Part II                                Part III                               Part IV

13354332955_1122827003_q.jpg13413232505_da16d5070f_q.jpg13764621575_a0c3818e0b_q.jpg13800833653_729e34d450_q.jpg

 

 

Now about time for dinner. Did I say nothing to complain about this day? So, what do we have... oh great - Spam again ...   :bad:

 

Regards

 

Martin 

 

13764984734_612f8c1995_h.jpg

Edited by Martin Hingst
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Incredible colour, isn't it? I guess it is (to the most) up to the high UV radiation, that makes the plants colour up so nicely. Same for those H. pulchella. Difficult to get this colouration in cultivation.

 

Thanks Ron and Vince :-)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wow, it really gives me some ideas for a trip in the next years!

 

Thank you very much for sharing you story and picture, it's a pleasure to read/look.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

13764999074_ce14459e2a_h.jpg

 

Andy, obviously looking forward to the day -

 

When I first saw this, I thought you were taking about the first photo :laugh2:  :laugh2:

 

But now you mention it ....................

Yeh, I can see the similarity - separated at birth :lol:  :lol:

 

13764634255_c38349eee8_h.jpg

 

Sorry Andy, I just couldn't resist :pleasantry:

Edited by Phil Green
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...