A good summer in the Pinelands

[Jason Ksepka]

Well, this has been a great year for me. I set three impossible goals for myself, two of which I met this season so far. More on those in a future post. I have been out in the Pinelands of south Jersey several times a week exploring more than I ever have before. I have seen some wonderful orchids, lots of Drosera and Sarracenia purpurea, and a few nice surprises.
Just a couple of shots of some of the Sarracenia I found this year. I'll make a larger post when I find the time to upload more pics.
From a little distance....

A bit closer...

and closer still...


Another nice purp

And another

And a nice non-carnivore
Platanthera lacera (Ragged Fringed Orchid)

And the very rare Tofieldia racemosa (False Bog Asphodel)

The federally protected Helonias bullata (Swamp Pink)


I guess when I get time, I'll post some Sundews. Hope you enjoy the pics. I know I enjoyed finding the plants.

[Devon]

Perfect plants, and even more perfect shots. The Platanthera lacera is very interesting - I don't really know much about orchids, so that ones looks very new to me.

Those pitchers look very fresh! Do you know what month were the photos taken?

[Jason Ksepka]

Thanks Devon, the pictures were taken on March 18th & 25th.

[buckcity]

Enjoyed; please share more as time allows.

[jfowler]

That has to be one of the finest S. purpurea "clumps" I've ever seen. Wonderful photography, as well.

[Jason Ksepka]

Thanks, it was amazing to find that clump. It is an extraordinarily vigorous plant. It is floating in cold water and sending out stolons in all directions, which make new clones of course. Many of them have broken free and floated short distances to establish new "colonies"
This plant is also remarkable because instead of producing new pitchers one-at-a-time, in a whorl around the crown. It produces pitchers up to 9 at a time all at the same time coming out in all directions. Really amazing plant.
I will be posting more pics up as time allows, especially of drosera. Thanks for the comments.

[RL7836]

Jason,
Fantastic pics! Thanks for sharing.

Do you explore the barrens on foot or by boat?

[Jason Ksepka]

Barefoot mostly, but i do have a kayak that comes in handy . I get out several times a week, so i feel very priveleged.

[simonv]

When they float like that what are they growing in? Do they send roots down to the bed to anchor themselves or are they free floating? Can you cultivate them like this in ponds? How deep is the water?

[Jason Ksepka]

The water is about 3-4 feet deep, if you stay on the cedar logs that are submerged in the muck. The plants are just floating and anchor in whatever veg they get a hold of, snf in detritis that seems to build up around the roots and crowns.