Q: Field trip report: Darlingtonia pollination studies


A: In the spring of 2006 I resumed my pollination studies of the plant, Darlingtonia californica. It is unknown what might be pollinating this attractive, charismatic, astonishing carnivorous plant.

Many people have spent time trying to observe the pollinator. Instead of observing the pollinator directly, I hoped to learn about some of its characteristics. In essence, I was repeating many of the experiments of Elder (1997), with a few twists.

This is a bit of an introduction and progress report. But it is also news of a surprise that I had on one of the days I visited the site!

See the field trip!

Page citations: Elder, C. 1997; personal observations.