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Darlingtonia State Natural Site, Oregon – August 2010
Being a lover of carnivorous plants, I’ve wanted to visit this place for a long time. Darlingtonia is home to the cobra lily, an unusual variety of carnivorous pitcher plant found in only a few areas of Oregon and Northern California.
Darlingtonia State Natural Site, Oregon – August 2010
One of the characteristics that makes the cobra lily unique is that, unlike other pitcher plants, it does not collect rain water for use in catching and digesting its insect prey. Instead, it pumps up water from its roots.
Darlingtonia State Natural Site, Oregon – August 2010
When we arrived there was a notice at the entrance of the natural area indicating that it was closed for maintenance. Apparently, the bog in which these plants live was becoming overrun with cedar trees. I can only assume that the powers that be got wind of my plan to finally visit and decided that this would be the perfect time to close Darlingtonia and cut out all of the offending trees. Fortunately for me, they finished ahead of schedule.
Darlingtonia State Natural Site, Oregon – August 2010
From the looks of things, whoever was in charge of this operation made no attempt to avoid trampling the cobra lilies as they cut down the trees. Maybe this was unavoidable. Regardless, there wasn’t a lily within reach of the boardwalk – a disappointment for Lewis, who wanted to find out what they felt like. Climbing down off the boardwalk wasn’t an option.
Darlingtonia State Natural Area, Oregon – August 2010
The Dad was able to save the day by locating a plant that had already been pulled up by the maintenance workers and left underneath the boardwalk.
Darlingtonia State Natural Area, Oregon – August 2010
Lewis and I took pictures feigning surprise while we held the plant. How did this rare and protected plant get into my hands?!? We were planning to send the pictures to his Mimi but we never quite got around to it.
Darlingtonia State Natural Site, Oregon – August 2010
When hanging around a bog, you often find more than just one cool form of wildlife. Lewis was delighted to find this red frog hanging out along the trail.
Darlingtonia State Natural Site, Oregon – August 2010
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