The Trip:
June 2002, I took a trip to the east coast of the USA, and
I explored eastern Virginia and southern New Jersey. This photo-essay
describes a few of the things I saw.
The botanical part of the trip started early on a Sunday morning. I only had
one day of free time in Virginia, and I intended to spend it
visiting a few sites I had been told about (in confidence). I also had
a carnivorous plant associate to visit--I had been promising him for years
that I'd see his collection on my next chance. I also knew of a few other
growers in the area I would like to visit if given the time.
I was looking forward to this trip because I hoped to see
Sarracenia flava. I have seen the plant many times before, but
Virginia marks the farthest north point in its range. Also, this area
was just south of the New Jersey overlap zone for the two subspecies of
Sarracenia purpurea. I was curious to see what the Virginia plants looked
like. Did they show any influence from the northern subspecies?
Despite the normally humid climate (especially for me, a desert boy)
the day started quite comfortably, as it was unseasonably
cool. (In fact a late frost had occurred just a week or so prior.) I hopped
into my squeaky clean
rental car, checked the maps, and headed to my first site to look
for aquatic Utricularia....
Start the photo-essay!
