Plant Life not Flowers Click on the links in the captions for a larger photo

Photinia fraseri glows red with new Spring growth.

Amanita muscaria, Elk Meadows Trail near Mt. Hood, 1982. This colorful Mushroom is hallucinogenic, and was much treasured by ancient shamans. Many of this species are deadly poisonous. Experimentation can be dangerous in the extreme.

Fungus growing on the side of a tree in Oregon

Probably Amanita species, Elk Meadows Trail, 1982. While these specimens lack the red coloration of A. muscaria, The warts on the hoods makes them likely candidates for the same dangerous genus.

Amanita muscaria, Elk Meadows Tail, 1982. This example is a younger specimen than the mushroom pictured on the left.

Closeup of the underside of a fungus growing on the side of a tree.

The moss-covered top of a signpost by a trail in Tryon Creek State Park in Portland, Oregon

This new growth was emerging on a conifer that was being trained or grown as a low-growing shrub in a private yard

This very shiny bark is characteristic of Prunus serrula, the birch-bark cherry.

Baby mushrooms spring from a spot of disturbed ground in an Oregon forest.

The Cobra Lily (Darlingtonia californica) This photo was taken at Darlingtonia Botanical Wayside, only moments from the highway 101 on the Oregon coast. A boardwalk trail at this secluded wayside leads to a bog where these carnivorous plants grow.  Commonly called the cobra lily due to the shape of the pitcher which resembles a cobra ready to strike, Darlingtonia is a unique and fascinating plant. The pitchers are similar to Sarracenia in that each structure consists of a hollow tube, complete with the downward pointing hairs. The opening is quite small, and insects that are lured to the plant have the false illusion that they can fly out the back of the pitcher due to 'windows'. These windows are tissue which lacks any colouration and allows light to enter the pitcher. The insect, flying towards the window, make the same mistake as the bird that tries to enter your home this way. They smack against it, and fall down into the fluid below, where they are drowned and broken down by bacteria. Thanks to Chris Teichreb for most of the above description.  You can visit Chris's website on  carnivorous plants at http://www.geocities.com/cteichreb/

These plants were growing along the edge of a pond at a park in Portland, Oregon.

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