tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30867752777043831432024-03-07T23:30:00.164-05:00Exploring Scenic North CarolinaFrom the Carolina skies to the land beneath our feet, join me as I take a closer look at the natural beauty of Scenic North Carolina. You are welcome to link to any of my posts, but please ask me before copying any material to another blog, website, etc. ©Kelvin Taylor All Rights Reserved.Kelvin Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13642324174828972828noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3086775277704383143.post-9463636881620968232019-04-17T23:39:00.001-04:002019-04-17T23:50:43.186-04:00Trilliums at Turkey Creek Nature Preserve<i></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">Last Saturday morning I woke up to cloudy and damp conditions with the occasional sprinkle of rain. If I had made the decision to stay indoors according to what I saw out the window, I would have missed out on a perfect day to go out and shoot wildflowers. It’s early April. There is one place I go every year that contains a large population of a rare plant. Since the blooming time for this species is rather short, not going would likely mean missing out on the peak bloom. What is it you might ask? Read on....</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">Along a roadside right-of-way in Nash County a protected preserved that contains one of the largest populations of <b>Least Trillium</b> or<i> Trillium pusillum</i> var. <i>virginianum</i></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">. </span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I7s4p8XB0LQ/XLU17MY5L1I/AAAAAAAAGZc/53VQKllqK7cW95LRctZT-arddHr36jbiACLcBGAs/s1600/Turkey%2BCreek04.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="931" height="342" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I7s4p8XB0LQ/XLU17MY5L1I/AAAAAAAAGZc/53VQKllqK7cW95LRctZT-arddHr36jbiACLcBGAs/s400/Turkey%2BCreek04.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Least Trillium or <i>Trillium pusillum</i> var. <i>virginianum</i></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">When it comes to trilliums, nothing is simple. The <b>Least Trillium</b> isn’t just a single species, but several varieties that, according the source you consult, varies. For those who are interested in the technical aspects I’ve included some</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"> botanical geek speak below from several sources including <a href="http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242102006">Flora on North America</a>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">Believe it or not, trillium plants produce no true leaves or stems above ground. What?! Yes, actually the above ground plant is technically a flowering scape, and the leaf-like structures are actually bracts subtending the flower. The “stem” is an extension of the horizontal rhizome and produces tiny, scale-like leaves called cataphylls. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">The <i>Trillium pusillum</i> complex consists of five or six morphogeographical taxa distributed within the southeastern United States. Each widely disjunct, regional population have varied characteristics from other, and are quite variable within a single population as well. There are three varieties of <i>T. pusillum</i> that occur in North Carolina:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><i>T. pusillum</i> var. <i>ozarkanum</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><i>T. pusillum</i> var. <i>pusillum</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><i>T. pusillum</i> var. <i>virginianum</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><i>Trillium pusillum</i> var. <i>viginianum</i> flowers spring (Mar to early May). Acidic soils in low, swampy woodlands along streams, red maple (<i>Acer rubrum</i>) swamps, very wet in spring, plants often grouped on hummocks, with sphagnum moss. It is easily distinguished at sight by its “sessile” flower. Listed by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program as a S1 in the state, <i>Trillium pusillum</i> var. <i>virginianum</i> has been documented in 7 counties.</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Habitat for Least Trillium</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Turkey Creek Nature Preserve is home to thousands of trilliums that extend from the roadside to several feet into the swampy woods. Singles, doubles, trios, oh my! The variety of petal forms are also quite interesting. From wide to very narrow and the occasional two petal variety.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">According to<a href="https://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/abstracts/botany/trillium_undulatum.pdf"> Michigan State University website</a> "[trilliums] can be infected with virus-like mycoplasmas, which are parasitic, subcellular organisms that often result in the normally white petals being streaked with green or pink…"</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The trilliums were the highlight of the trip, but there are more botanical treasures to be found here too. <b>Trout Lily</b> or </span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Erythronium umbilicatum</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> blankets the woods with its danity yellow flowers.</span> </span>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><b id="yui_3_10_0_1_1555470200147_967">Atamasco Lily </b>(<i>Zephyranthes atamasco</i>) were just being to bloom. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">And no field trip would be complete without wild orchids.<b> Southern Twayblade</b> or <i>Listera australis </i>occurs in the swampy pine woods usually near sphaghum mounds. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GUseHXllYTk/XLaYgpVKB7I/AAAAAAAAGdw/XwWgQ8A0HGk9PHWoIHJ13QN00c3lBPtXwCLcBGAs/s1600/Turkey%2BCreek34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GUseHXllYTk/XLaYgpVKB7I/AAAAAAAAGdw/XwWgQ8A0HGk9PHWoIHJ13QN00c3lBPtXwCLcBGAs/s400/Turkey%2BCreek34.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-trifMxUtRTo/XLfVSooZ02I/AAAAAAAAGfE/jslz_AIpw_UgyNGS5msIYBthzss3XaTfgCLcBGAs/s1600/Turkey%2BCreek31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="611" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-trifMxUtRTo/XLfVSooZ02I/AAAAAAAAGfE/jslz_AIpw_UgyNGS5msIYBthzss3XaTfgCLcBGAs/s400/Turkey%2BCreek31.jpg" width="348" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Closeup of the flower</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In addition to the floral delights, several species of ferns inhabitat the moist woods near Turkey Creek. Fiddleheads just begining to unfurl. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Royal Fern(Osmunda regalis)</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Cinnamon Fern (Osmundastrum cinnamomeum)</span></span><strong></strong></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It was a great day to be outside photographing the native flora at this special roadside, one of many that dot the landscape in the Old North State.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">~KT </span></span><br />
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<i></i>Kelvin Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13642324174828972828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3086775277704383143.post-75140239678854291192019-02-24T23:56:00.003-05:002019-02-25T00:01:40.739-05:00A Winter Hike for Evergreen and Wintergreen Plants<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rCGu3uE3jSI/XG9KodvvvtI/AAAAAAAAFZY/gSQ2Kb0K8mAz81nXTj2cJi5amkwGaNdOwCLcBGAs/s1600/Flower%2BHill%2Bsign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="943" height="218" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rCGu3uE3jSI/XG9KodvvvtI/AAAAAAAAFZY/gSQ2Kb0K8mAz81nXTj2cJi5amkwGaNdOwCLcBGAs/s320/Flower%2BHill%2Bsign.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">D<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">uring
the dreary days of winter, most native wildflowers are fast asleep
until spring arrives. There is not much to see flower-wise this
time of year, but it is a good time go out in search of </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">evergreen
and wintergreen plants. A couple weeks I visited a
favorite nature preserve, <a href="https://www.triangleland.org/explore/nature-preserves/flower-hill-nature-preserve" target="_blank">FlowerHill</a><span style="text-decoration: none;">
</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">to
photograph </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">some
of these botanical jewels</span>.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So
what are evergreens and
wintergreens? While most native
herbs
died back once the growing season ends, evergreens
have leaves that are persist
all year long. Wintergreens
are plants that have leaves that are alive during the winter
months, and disappear in the
spring or summer. At
Flower Hill,
there are several examples of both. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7j0AEO9zhE8/XHHwYdgHaOI/AAAAAAAAFck/tnGMzBVAwC4mMrHthhAUNc2Xt7EjFmV8ACLcBGAs/s1600/trail%2Bshot1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7j0AEO9zhE8/XHHwYdgHaOI/AAAAAAAAFck/tnGMzBVAwC4mMrHthhAUNc2Xt7EjFmV8ACLcBGAs/s400/trail%2Bshot1.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Trail head view</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My main goal was to </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">photograph the wintergreen orchid </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Tipularia discolor</i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> or</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Cranefly Orchid</b></span></span>. This orchid is more recognizable by its leaves than the flowers. The leaf variation in this species is quite interesting. There is one
place at Flower Hill where 4 different color variations occur all within
a few feet of each other. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_PClWdcuAC0/XGy4z-HSCOI/AAAAAAAAFU0/ec-qKNGvoq04INE82xhx2KfikHzf0sikQCLcBGAs/s1600/solid%2Bgreen%2BTipularia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="915" data-original-width="669" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_PClWdcuAC0/XGy4z-HSCOI/AAAAAAAAFU0/ec-qKNGvoq04INE82xhx2KfikHzf0sikQCLcBGAs/s400/solid%2Bgreen%2BTipularia.jpg" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Solid green leaf</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IwGQ9GMjoDA/XGy5ORn7ITI/AAAAAAAAFVA/hiKNE6cvT6g8UI4Fn5uaeBdGRMFfiLHbQCLcBGAs/s1600/purple%2Bspotted%2BTipularia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="693" data-original-width="873" height="317" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IwGQ9GMjoDA/XGy5ORn7ITI/AAAAAAAAFVA/hiKNE6cvT6g8UI4Fn5uaeBdGRMFfiLHbQCLcBGAs/s400/purple%2Bspotted%2BTipularia.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Leaf dark purple spots</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MzsVa9ItwLQ/XGy5SPcYfCI/AAAAAAAAFVE/YsChCvC4OwMOpE4FFdrJfMMUlkeGhgXYQCLcBGAs/s1600/green%2BTipularia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="878" height="316" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MzsVa9ItwLQ/XGy5SPcYfCI/AAAAAAAAFVE/YsChCvC4OwMOpE4FFdrJfMMUlkeGhgXYQCLcBGAs/s400/green%2BTipularia.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Yellowish green leaf</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3_MyFhl-NPw/XGy6VsAQHZI/AAAAAAAAFVg/KKSev_yyEVs1Asfk_pH5RZyv9XxKf4JRwCLcBGAs/s1600/deep%2Bpurple%2BTipularia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="884" data-original-width="668" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3_MyFhl-NPw/XGy6VsAQHZI/AAAAAAAAFVg/KKSev_yyEVs1Asfk_pH5RZyv9XxKf4JRwCLcBGAs/s400/deep%2Bpurple%2BTipularia.jpg" width="301" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Dark reddish purple leaves</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XSu0u6NVkkY/XG4TO5LgccI/AAAAAAAAFWM/XkREgmnFKo4CtksYt7twSGKuadxV1fkpwCLcBGAs/s1600/cranefly%2Borchid%2Bleaves%2Bwith%2Bpurple%2Bone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XSu0u6NVkkY/XG4TO5LgccI/AAAAAAAAFWM/XkREgmnFKo4CtksYt7twSGKuadxV1fkpwCLcBGAs/s400/cranefly%2Borchid%2Bleaves%2Bwith%2Bpurple%2Bone.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Purple underside</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">T. discolor</span></i></span></span> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">is the most common native orchid species in North Carolina occurring from the mountains to the coast and blooms in mid-summer.</span></span></span><br />
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<div align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">After spending time admiring these wonderful leaves, I continued down the trail to a spot where I found another species of orchid,<i> </i></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Goodyera pubescens</span></span> </i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">or </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Downy Rattlesnake Plantain</b></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, an evergreen plant with attractive foliage. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The intricate white lines against the glossy, dark green leaves
resemble the foliage of tropical jewel orchids.</span></span> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">G. pubescens</span></i></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> b</span></span></span>looms with white flowers in mid-summer. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-po2v1HleXRc/XG92YkXX5uI/AAAAAAAAFZw/oiyjwwCV51QTaDe88jIi41OEwV_w7z3nACLcBGAs/s1600/goodyera%2Brosette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="851" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-po2v1HleXRc/XG92YkXX5uI/AAAAAAAAFZw/oiyjwwCV51QTaDe88jIi41OEwV_w7z3nACLcBGAs/s400/goodyera%2Brosette.jpg" width="370" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Goodyera pubescens</span></span></i><br />
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</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A-4rmPcMmqY/XG4gHQ4od-I/AAAAAAAAFWY/vMX4BNSxP-4XLjXsVzI05vFZFLGDYGSDQCLcBGAs/s1600/closeup%2Bof%2Bgoodyera%2Bleaf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="976" height="277" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A-4rmPcMmqY/XG4gHQ4od-I/AAAAAAAAFWY/vMX4BNSxP-4XLjXsVzI05vFZFLGDYGSDQCLcBGAs/s400/closeup%2Bof%2Bgoodyera%2Bleaf.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Close-up of the leaf design</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Another evergreen that is </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ubiquitous in the mountains and extends to a much lesser extent into the Piedmont </span>is </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Galax urceolata</span></i></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">or</span></span> <b>Galax</b></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">At Flower Hill it grows near</span></span> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>R</i></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>hododendron catawbiense </i></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">or</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b id="yui_3_10_0_1_1550942304130_343">Catawba Rhododendron</b></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, but more on that plant later. <b>Galax</b> blooms with a spike of small, showy white flowers during the summer. </span></span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AWby1zv0nmI/XG9AO8oylzI/AAAAAAAAFY0/WWT63TnbfdQNOD2TVU4I-g1rW0vSqqUfQCLcBGAs/s1600/Galax.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="948" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AWby1zv0nmI/XG9AO8oylzI/AAAAAAAAFY0/WWT63TnbfdQNOD2TVU4I-g1rW0vSqqUfQCLcBGAs/s400/Galax.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Galax urceolata</span></i></span></span></span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-APNXBLyQX1k/XG92kx5Jk9I/AAAAAAAAFZ0/5CgRyAs75PoR7ztdyiBfSogJ8--PrvMbgCLcBGAs/s1600/galax%2Bred%2Bleaf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="705" data-original-width="900" height="312" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-APNXBLyQX1k/XG92kx5Jk9I/AAAAAAAAFZ0/5CgRyAs75PoR7ztdyiBfSogJ8--PrvMbgCLcBGAs/s400/galax%2Bred%2Bleaf.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A red-wine Galax leaf during it's winter coloration</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Along the trail I found three other evergreens: <i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Epigaea repens</span> </i>or <b>Trailing Arbutus</b>, <span class="" style="left: 150px; top: 232.033px; transform: scaleX(1.05409);"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="highlight selected">Chimaphila</span> maculata</span> </i>or</span></span> <b>Striped Wintergreen</b> <span class="" style="left: 150px; top: 232.033px; transform: scaleX(1.05409);">and </span><span class="" style="left: 150px; top: 232.033px; transform: scaleX(1.05409);"><span class="" style="left: 150px; top: 232.033px; transform: scaleX(1.05409);"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hexastylis sp</span>. </i>or</span></span> <b>Wild Ginger</b></span>. The <b>Trailing Arbutus</b> was in bud. It blooms with cute white to sometimes pink flowers in late winter and early spring.</span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Sr3RA_qPBg/XG923tHAs5I/AAAAAAAAFaA/qj6jZS1snmsKCBh2JC8d7FC4KKi7VA4RACEwYBhgL/s1600/trailing%2Barbutus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="790" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Sr3RA_qPBg/XG923tHAs5I/AAAAAAAAFaA/qj6jZS1snmsKCBh2JC8d7FC4KKi7VA4RACEwYBhgL/s400/trailing%2Barbutus.jpg" width="385" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Epigaea repens</span> </i></span></span>in bud at the base of a pine tree</span></span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Striped wintergreen</b>, also known as <b>Pipsissewa</b>, has attractive evergreen foliage and grows as a single plant or small groups in <span style="left: 484.793px; top: 232.033px; transform: scaleX(1.00208);"> xeric, acidic soils. It blooms late spring and summer with nodding, waxy, creamy white</span><span style="left: 119.997px; top: 249.328px; transform: scaleX(1);"> flowers borne on a stalk above the top whorled of leaves. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="left: 119.997px; top: 249.328px; transform: scaleX(1);"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3vIneFPqYbo/XG93KEbljaI/AAAAAAAAFaI/QFVfjqpoEdApEQrd1QXKVk7IDhpcLt-9QCLcBGAs/s1600/wintergreen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="856" height="292" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3vIneFPqYbo/XG93KEbljaI/AAAAAAAAFaI/QFVfjqpoEdApEQrd1QXKVk7IDhpcLt-9QCLcBGAs/s400/wintergreen.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="st"><i>Chimaphila maculata</i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="st"><i> </i></span></span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Growing on slopes and along the trail is this evergreen plant commonly called <b>Wild Ginger </b>or <b>Little Heartleaf</b> depending on which species of <i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hexastylis</span></i>. Absent the flowers(too early for it to bloom) I'm not sure species. Positive ID can't always be via the foliage as the leaf variegation(or lack of it) varies within the same species. So a return trip when flowering will be needed for </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">species</span></span> confirmation .</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Hexastylis</i></span> blooms in the spring with flowers at ground level. Most people would never notice them as they blooms are often covered by leaf litter. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f9vCSTMnbpg/XG9RSK9_c4I/AAAAAAAAFZk/KiTe5bN6WMIcWP5SX0egMbU7qVcG3ucLQCLcBGAs/s1600/wild%2Bginger.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="948" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f9vCSTMnbpg/XG9RSK9_c4I/AAAAAAAAFZk/KiTe5bN6WMIcWP5SX0egMbU7qVcG3ucLQCLcBGAs/s400/wild%2Bginger.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><i>Hexastylis sp</i>.</i></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">At the first ravine crossing on the trail,
I took a detour and
climbed
down into the ravine to the
banks of Moccasin
Creek. This wasn't easy as some steep banks and fallen trees made the task a challenge in spots. </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JeU9wZUuQnw/XHHxuLx18CI/AAAAAAAAFcw/R_CFkNhkbzoOb6nGavr6riemLFsk8BUfACLcBGAs/s1600/ravine1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JeU9wZUuQnw/XHHxuLx18CI/AAAAAAAAFcw/R_CFkNhkbzoOb6nGavr6riemLFsk8BUfACLcBGAs/s320/ravine1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rIc9pJH3jic/XHHxypp-GPI/AAAAAAAAFc0/LVVlQnxXIF8n3lt4qMiXGmLBLQDstno7wCLcBGAs/s1600/ravine2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rIc9pJH3jic/XHHxypp-GPI/AAAAAAAAFc0/LVVlQnxXIF8n3lt4qMiXGmLBLQDstno7wCLcBGAs/s320/ravine2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Here on the banks of </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Moccasin
Creek</span> I spotted mosses growing in the shady, moist, cool
environment covering logs of fallen trees, rocks and on the moist ground. These mini evergreen plants are </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">bryophytes, belonging to the division </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Bryophyta</i></span>. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">They don’t have flowers or seeds, but they do produce spores, as do
fungi.</span> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Mosses don’t have roots; they absorb water and nutrients
through their leaves. </span>There are </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">approximately 440 species of mosses that occur in North Carolina and they do an important job(along with fungi) in </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">breaking down organic
matter into nutrients. </span></span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u2VEd80iglk/XG9JPU4uvXI/AAAAAAAAFZA/2fbTNcdBekwv-0dWk52yn6mTuc8WQh7VACLcBGAs/s1600/fern%2Bmoss%2Bcovered%2Brock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="948" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u2VEd80iglk/XG9JPU4uvXI/AAAAAAAAFZA/2fbTNcdBekwv-0dWk52yn6mTuc8WQh7VACLcBGAs/s400/fern%2Bmoss%2Bcovered%2Brock.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "tahoma";">Fern moss(</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thuidium delicatulum</span>)</i> covering a rock</span><i><br /></i></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NPnJomd9YrA/XG9JVoJGF-I/AAAAAAAAFZE/Shxqkuymim4UgoCoFfq04F9tr_PcOBCqACLcBGAs/s1600/closeup%2Bof%2Bfern%2Bmoss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="948" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NPnJomd9YrA/XG9JVoJGF-I/AAAAAAAAFZE/Shxqkuymim4UgoCoFfq04F9tr_PcOBCqACLcBGAs/s400/closeup%2Bof%2Bfern%2Bmoss.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Closeup of fern moss</span>(<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thuidium delicatulum</span>)</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A fallen tree over time in a forest will be covered with a host of organisms including mosses. The<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> wood from fallen trees, will over a period of years return back to which it came. In the photo below are at least two species of mosses, </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'm thinking belong to the genera <i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Fissidens</span> </span></i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">and</span><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Semtophyllum</span>.</span></i></span></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3gO7I3w4cc/XG9JdkEydyI/AAAAAAAAFZI/kkll85noicoEsFcuZ8VTEgh_lxiNs5TWACLcBGAs/s1600/mossy%2Bcovered%2Blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="948" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3gO7I3w4cc/XG9JdkEydyI/AAAAAAAAFZI/kkll85noicoEsFcuZ8VTEgh_lxiNs5TWACLcBGAs/s400/mossy%2Bcovered%2Blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Combination of mosses on a fallen trunk</span></span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">After photographing the mosses I headed back up the steep ravine. It was slow going as the fallen trees made for some tough obstacles in places. This actually turned out to be a good thing. As I made my way carefully up the ravine, I spotted a small clump of erect clubmoss at the base of a tree. Of course I had to get a closer look. It turned out to be a species that is uncommon to rare in the Piedmont. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Shining Clubmoss</b> or </span></span><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Huperzia lucidula</span></i>, a species I had not seen before outside the mountains of NC. It grows in moist forests and ravines and its uncommon to rare in the part of the state.</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ljfz45wwU80/XG97Lx2NJlI/AAAAAAAAFaU/XvG2KWc7mb8wHesNGxBcoeYR8aN0m3yBACLcBGAs/s1600/Huperzia%2Blucidula.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="737" data-original-width="908" height="323" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ljfz45wwU80/XG97Lx2NJlI/AAAAAAAAFaU/XvG2KWc7mb8wHesNGxBcoeYR8aN0m3yBACLcBGAs/s400/Huperzia%2Blucidula.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Huperzia lucidula</span></i></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">After climbing out of the ravine I returned to the trail and continued on. One notable tree at the preserve is a large <b>Longleaf Pine </b>or <i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Pinus palustris. </span></i>I don't know the age of the tree, but it is the largest one I ever seen at least in this part of the state.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e8Jsz0DUUKo/XHIFq7EkgyI/AAAAAAAAFdI/STyNgXb_HPMUnheAbaSmu_2TOuFVuoRRgCEwYBhgL/s1600/longleafpine1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="285" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e8Jsz0DUUKo/XHIFq7EkgyI/AAAAAAAAFdI/STyNgXb_HPMUnheAbaSmu_2TOuFVuoRRgCEwYBhgL/s640/longleafpine1.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> a large<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Pinus palustris </span></i></span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i></span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i></span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i></span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i></span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i></span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">No field report would be complete without mention of what Flower Hill special. </span>Along the banks of Moccasin Creek is the prize evergreen of th<span style="font-size: small;">is nature preserve </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Catawba Rhododendron</span></span></b> or </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Rhododendron catawbiense</span></span></i>, a natural population </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">some 200+ miles east of
its native range in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. <span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">It was North Carolina naturalist</span><b> </b>B.W. Wells<span style="font-weight: 400;"> on a visit in the 1930s that brought this geographic anomaly on the Johnston/Nash county line to national attention. Dr. Wells identified it as a disjunct
mountain community that survived the retreat of the
last ice age 10,000 years ago. It </span>was deemed a freak of
nature because of this species being so far from where is normally
grows. The topography of the land is unique to the area here on the
boarder of the Piedmont and Coastal Plain. The microclimate of the
north west facing slopes provided a ideal place for this native
evergreen shrub to hang on.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s7YT9Q_DC3A/XG971bV4nVI/AAAAAAAAFa0/vVzX_Xi91WYyMJo2p0ksa_NuJU0aLDDGwCLcBGAs/s1600/catawba%2Brhodo%2Bat%2Bflower%2Bhill%2B2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="704" data-original-width="900" height="312" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s7YT9Q_DC3A/XG971bV4nVI/AAAAAAAAFa0/vVzX_Xi91WYyMJo2p0ksa_NuJU0aLDDGwCLcBGAs/s400/catawba%2Brhodo%2Bat%2Bflower%2Bhill%2B2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Catawba Rhododendron</span></span></b></span> in bloom(April)</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Blooming starts in mid-April and peaks around early May. F</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">lowers vary from light to deep pink, and a small population on the high banks above Moccasin Creek have white
flowers. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">After enjoying the flora I returned back to my vehicle. Before leaving I noticed a several feet inside the woods at the parking lot a dense mat of green. I had to go see what it was. What I found was another species of clubmoss, <b>Running Cedar or </b><span style="left: 150px; top: 956.933px; transform: scaleX(1.03986);"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Diphasiastrum digitatum</span></i>. (Formerly belonged to the genus <i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Lycopodium</span></i>).</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="left: 150px; top: 956.933px; transform: scaleX(1.03986);"> </span></span></span> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-reP56BCvnCA/XG97OeoG5HI/AAAAAAAAFaY/BKp1ie8qPWA873GBA7nMZoLfr86Hm6_KwCLcBGAs/s1600/running%2Bcedar%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="948" data-original-width="711" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-reP56BCvnCA/XG97OeoG5HI/AAAAAAAAFaY/BKp1ie8qPWA873GBA7nMZoLfr86Hm6_KwCLcBGAs/s400/running%2Bcedar%2B2.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="left: 150px; top: 956.933px; transform: scaleX(1.03986);">Diphasiastrum digitatum</span></span></span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Riu4K8Mjmlw/XG97T53IsrI/AAAAAAAAFag/IK8LAwA1u8ImW1za7yDUT95y_pXWyHUIQCLcBGAs/s1600/running%2Bcedar.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="948" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Riu4K8Mjmlw/XG97T53IsrI/AAAAAAAAFag/IK8LAwA1u8ImW1za7yDUT95y_pXWyHUIQCLcBGAs/s400/running%2Bcedar.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="left: 150px; top: 956.933px; transform: scaleX(1.03986);">Diphasiastrum digitatum</span></span></span></i></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J_iomS0DQao/XG97Q4sBYWI/AAAAAAAAFac/U4E8NMMIwDU7eQvIfnYXjwmTf6ExpValgCLcBGAs/s1600/running%2Bcedar%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="948" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J_iomS0DQao/XG97Q4sBYWI/AAAAAAAAFac/U4E8NMMIwDU7eQvIfnYXjwmTf6ExpValgCLcBGAs/s400/running%2Bcedar%2B3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Large area covered with Running Cedar</span></span></td></tr>
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<b>Running Cedar</b> is an evergreen subshrub that spreads by underground
runners and also reproduces via spores. The leaves form flattened fans, somewhat reminiscent of conifers such as arborvitae. In the summer reproductive structures, called strobili,
appear atop the plants. These strobili bear sporangia that contain the spores. Occurs in dry to mesic acid forests and openings, especially in
disturbed sites, such as successional pine forests. <b>Running Cedar</b> is common in the
mountains and Piedmont, uncommon in Coastal Plain. </div>
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Visit Flower Hill anytime of the year and there is always something to see. Spring is when the flush of flowers are seen, but in autumn and winter there are other botanical treasures to be found.<br />
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See you next time for another adventure in Scenic North Carolina.<br />
Kt <br />
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Flower Hill Nature Preserve is located in Johnston County North Carolina and is owned by the Triangle Land Conservancy. Access to the parking lot is from Flower Hill Road. For more information check out the website <a href="http://www.triangleland.org/explore/nature-preserves/flower-hill-nature-preserve">www.triangleland.org/explore/nature-preserves/flower-hill-nature-preserve</a><br />
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<i>Light is the first element of creation</i><br />
<i></i>Kelvin Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13642324174828972828noreply@blogger.com0