Raspberry Island - Isle Royale National Park, MI - Carnivorous Plant Localities on Waymarking.com

For the preservation of this locality, collection is prohibited.

Isle Royale National Park is a remote island wilderness in the middle of Lake Superior. It is only accessible by ferry, seaplane, or private watercraft. Weather influences traveling to and from the island, as well as your trip once you arrive. The park charges a $7 per person daily entrance fee to enter or remain within the park per calendar day. The Isle Royale Season Pass costs $60 and will cover up to 3 people traveling with the pass holder.

When my wife and I visited Raspberry Island it was as part of a sight seeing trip from Rock Harbor. The dock/pier found at the listed Parking Location will accept large boats and there is plenty of room for canoes to be beached as well. This location is the start and end of a 0.6 mile or 0.97 km hiking loop.

There is signage along the board walking path that says: Bug Beware!

Plant specialties abound in the sphagnum bog. Some plants, like Labrador tea, characterize specific stages of a bog’s life. Another, sphagnum moss, can dominate, alter, and control a bog. But, it is the “meat-eaters” like sundew and pitchers plants that fascinate us.

When dead plants decay, they release nitrogen that living plants need. In cold northern climates, however, decay is slow and nitrogen scare. Sundew and pitcher plants avoid this problem with alternate nitrogen n the form of insects lured into modified leaves that become insect traps.

Sundew Sticky leaf-glands attract and hold insects. The leaves then close around the victim.

Pitcher Plant Attracted by the smell and color of a sweet but deadly liquid in the bottom of tube-shaped leaves, insects are held captive by downward pointing hairs that thwart escape. Finally, the victim moves or falls into the liquid and is digested.

Please remember to stay on the provided and maintained trails and boardwalks to preserve the fragile ecosystem.