What's new
TerraForums Venus Flytrap, Nepenthes, Drosera and more talk

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

My visit to a Darlingtonia site in Florence Oregon

hunterkiller0

"Help! Help! I've fallen and can't get out!"
Hi everyone!

Just got back from my vacation visiting California & Oregon, the destination being Eugene Oregon for a wedding. After that event, send my time visiting relatives, places, the beach in Florence Oregon, & parks. I was hoping I could stop by Cook's nursery but visiting his website he doesn't allow visitors. Visited Sarracenia Northwest hoping maybe I can visit them but read it's by appointed only. Oh well...

But fortunately, a cousin of mine that's aware of my interest, new a place I would much enjoy. The place is Darlingtonia State Botanical Wayside‎, a 1 hour drive west from Eugen taking Florence-Eugene Hwy 126, then making a north turn on Hwy 101. Another 10 minutes drive until you reach Mercer Lake Road, make a right turn to head east & the entrance to the site is close to the corner of 101 Mercer Lake Rd on your right.
<a href="http://s55.photobucket.com/albums/g153/Hunterkiller03/?action=view&current=Untitled.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g153/Hunterkiller03/Untitled.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>


You'll see a sing before reaching Mercer Lake Road.
<a href="http://s55.photobucket.com/albums/g153/Hunterkiller03/?action=view&current=DSCI0181.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g153/Hunterkiller03/DSCI0181.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>


And one more sign on Mercer Lake Rd.
<a href="http://s55.photobucket.com/albums/g153/Hunterkiller03/?action=view&current=DSCI0182.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g153/Hunterkiller03/DSCI0182.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>


There will be a map explaining the setting of the site before entering the area.
<a href="http://s55.photobucket.com/albums/g153/Hunterkiller03/?action=view&current=DSCI0183.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g153/Hunterkiller03/DSCI0183.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>


Here are my pics of the plants I took. This were the group of plants we saw first when entering the site.
<a href="http://s55.photobucket.com/albums/g153/Hunterkiller03/?action=view&current=DSCI0213.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g153/Hunterkiller03/DSCI0213.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s55.photobucket.com/albums/g153/Hunterkiller03/?action=view&current=DSCI0200.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g153/Hunterkiller03/DSCI0200.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s55.photobucket.com/albums/g153/Hunterkiller03/?action=view&current=DSCI0199.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g153/Hunterkiller03/DSCI0199.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>


There is was even a sign with a simple drawing of the plant describing how the Darlingtonias capture their prey.
<a href="http://s55.photobucket.com/albums/g153/Hunterkiller03/?action=view&current=DSCI0198.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g153/Hunterkiller03/DSCI0198.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>


Here's more.
<a href="http://s55.photobucket.com/albums/g153/Hunterkiller03/?action=view&current=DSCI0235.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g153/Hunterkiller03/DSCI0235.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s55.photobucket.com/albums/g153/Hunterkiller03/?action=view&current=DSCI0214.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g153/Hunterkiller03/DSCI0214.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s55.photobucket.com/albums/g153/Hunterkiller03/?action=view&current=DSCI0210.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g153/Hunterkiller03/DSCI0210.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s55.photobucket.com/albums/g153/Hunterkiller03/?action=view&current=DSCI0195.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g153/Hunterkiller03/DSCI0195.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s55.photobucket.com/albums/g153/Hunterkiller03/?action=view&current=DSCI0194.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g153/Hunterkiller03/DSCI0194.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s55.photobucket.com/albums/g153/Hunterkiller03/?action=view&current=DSCI0185.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g153/Hunterkiller03/DSCI0185.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>


Some of the pitchers were over 3 feet tall! Never thought they could get that tall! The hoods bigger then my fists!
<a href="http://s55.photobucket.com/albums/g153/Hunterkiller03/?action=view&current=DSCI0211.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g153/Hunterkiller03/DSCI0211.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s55.photobucket.com/albums/g153/Hunterkiller03/?action=view&current=DSCI0220.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g153/Hunterkiller03/DSCI0220.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s55.photobucket.com/albums/g153/Hunterkiller03/?action=view&current=DSCI0201.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g153/Hunterkiller03/DSCI0201.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

When plants are able to grow in there natural, they are able to reach their full splendor. No matter how good your grow your Darlingtonias, it just doesn't compare.

Well, hope you enjoyed the pics. It was fun trip. I was also hoping to visit California Carnivores but ran out of time. But visiting this site made up for what I missed.

Cheers!
 
Last edited:
Jesus jumped up Christ.. that's a lot of Cobras!
 
Last edited:
Amazing pics... Hopefully I can get out there someday, I live in Portland..
 
i GOT TO GET OUT THERE ALSO
 
All these pictures are doctor'd!
 
Wow, I can see why they advertise it as a darlingtonia site... there's a bajillion of those guys!
 
Great pics. Was there any moving water around the roots of the plants?
 
Very cool, thanks for sharing!
 
I was just there yesterday! did you check out the population across the road as well?
 
  • #10
They look like a bunch of prairie dogs!
 
  • #11
Great pics. Was there any moving water around the roots of the plants?

No, the water was still. The majority of the area it was flooded ankle deep, but some parts the soil look dry but that didn't seem to be a problem to the plants. There was many seedling & as you can see, many of the plants had flower pods.

I could make out some sundews but the pics I took of them didn't came out good at all.

---------- Post added at 05:41 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:38 PM ----------

I was just there yesterday! did you check out the population across the road as well?

There was a house on the other side. If I had time, I would've explored the surrounded area, even visited Mercer Lake further down the road. But I with other people & they wanted to go home. Probably another time when I'm by myself...
 
  • #12
That's a dense colony!
 
  • #13
That's a dense colony!

It is a very dense colony. And it was cluttered with leaves of dead darlingtonias from previous seasons. But what more impressed me are the size. Some were easily over 3 feet tall with hoods bigger then a fist.

Hopefully next year, I will have more time and plan it better to visit sites like these.
 
  • #14
Holy crap, might have to check that out when i'm down there next!
 
  • #15
These are all great photos!
 
  • #16
VERY NICE. I bet you had a bunch of fun :)

Am jelly..

I am hoping to get down there some day..
 
  • #17
Great pictures; thanks for sharing your experience!
 
Back
Top