Little Bog of Horrors - Orchid Board

ronaldhanko · #1 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 05:42 PM

Last Friday I went with a group from the Washington Native Plant Society to a floating or quaking bog here in the Northwest where someone (no one knows whom or when) has introduced a number of carnivorous plants that have established themselves and flourished. We saw three species of pitcher plants (Sarracenia), Venus Fly-traps (Dionaea), a Cobra Lily (Darlingtonia), all introduced, as well as Sundews (Drosera) and a Butterwort (Pinguicula) which are native, but may be introduced in this location. The amazing thing is that most of these plants are from the Atlantic coast and that they are doing so well here. The man who led the field trip referred to the place as the "little bog of horrors," but it was really a little bog of wonders. I thought I'd post a few pictures here for those who are interested.

RoyalOrchids · #2 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 06:02 PM

That's hilarious, kind of. I know the introduction of non-natives is a serious matter but it's funny to think of some conniving gardener planning this.

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #3 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 06:21 PM

Sarracenia purpurea is my favorite non-Nepenthes pitcher.

I had one that got pretty big and flowered for me.

Nice pics.

So...

If it's the "Little Bog of Horrors", where's Audrey 2 (Venus Fly Trap)?

Ross · #4 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 08:08 PM

Beautiful. I really dislike introducing plants, even if they are hardy, that are not native to an area. The fact they do so well speaks of the potential for being invasive. Just my 2 cents, sorry.

ronaldhanko · #5 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross

Beautiful. I really dislike introducing plants, even if they are hardy, that are not native to an area. The fact they do so well speaks of the potential for being invasive. Just my 2 cents, sorry.

Ross,
None of us is either, nor is the DNR here, but it appears that these have been established for many years. Also, the location is quite isolated as far as further spreading is concerned, so unless the DNR decides to try to eradicate them they'll probably just be left.

stefpix · #6 (**permalink**) 10-06-2009, 12:06 AM

Happy that potatoes and tomatoes have been introduced to Europe.

Happy that Coconut palms from the Pacific have been introduced to florida and the caribbean

Happy that Opuntia ficus indica thrive in coastal Italy.

Happy that Mangoes have been taken from SE Asia to teh rest of the tropics...

Yeah some horror stories but anyway that is the way it is. Life moves around one way or the other.

The Suez canal created problems for the fish of the Mediterranean
and so on and on...
I would like to have a water hyacint in a jar...
invasive in Africa.

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #7 (**permalink**) 10-06-2009, 02:16 AM

The orchid Spathoglottis plicata is a pan-tropic invasive originating from South East Asia.

Epipactis helleborine is an invasive orchid to the woodlands of the US, originating from Europe. Oddly enough, a small population is allowed to proliferate.

Eulophia graminea is another invasive orchid originating from South East Asia that has plagued Florida. This one however, people have been encouraged to pull out if they see one.

Can't think of anything else at the moment.

Listing invasive species is fun...

Don't know what to make of invasive plants though...

I stand neutral.

stefpix · #8 (**permalink**) 10-06-2009, 02:48 AM

eulophia is nice
like some sort of mini oncidium.

http://www.orchisasia.org/genre/Eulo..._22img0044.jpg

some species of the genus can grow in sand...

a nice plant to collect in the wild without any moral issues.
http://www.orchisasia.org/genre/Eulo..._22img0046.jpg
if someone wants to send me one from the warmer states i will pay postage!

stefano

Junebug · #9 (**permalink**) 10-06-2009, 06:59 AM

Beautiful displaced carnivours. Hopefully they don't devour beneficial pollinating insects My Nepenthes alata attracts a great number of wasps to her pendulous death chambers.

johnblagg · #10 (**permalink**) 10-06-2009, 12:08 PM

well I have to agree that introduced plants can b a disaster ...BUT if its endangered and it gets introduced and thrives then I say well done!!!!!

especially i it will only grow in a very very special enviroment and has almost no chance of escaping such as a bog....NOW Kudzu what was the government thinking there ?