Trip Report-Gasquet, CA - Darlingtonia, Pinguicula

[maxposwillo]

About a week ago I headed to the Gasquet area of Northern California in search of Darlingtonia californica, Pinguicula macroceras, and Drosera rotundifolia.

Site 1

This site was a serpentine seep located alongside a highway in Southern Gasquet, Darlingtonia californica and Pinguicula macroceras were both present. There were very few Darlingtonia compared to Pinguicula however.















Site 2

This site was a serpentine seep along a popular hiking trail. Only Darlingtonia californica was present.

[aslan]

Love the pics! Makes me wish the Cobras were easier to grow. Would these plants be considered the mountain variety, or the costal variety?

[maxposwillo]

I believe these would be considered the coastal variety.

[ICPS-bob]

The Gasquet area is definitely coastal (elevation about 100 m). I do not think the coastal and mountain Darlingtonia meet the definition of variety, or even form. A variety has an appearance distinct from other varieties; a form usually designates a group with a noticeable but minor deviation (such as flower color). There may be some subtle genetic adaptation of the higher elevation plants to tolerate lower winter temperatures, but I am not aware of any such tolerance studies.

[mwwilson]

Great pics. I really enjoy seeing the P.macroceras in flower.They really are my favorite species of ping !!!