News from Rockcliff Farm

Sherardia arvensis – Blue Field Madder

B. W. Wells Association — Tue, 14 May 2013 12:22:42 +0000

In Part Two of The Natural Gardens of North Carolina, B. W. Wells discusses the Madder Family (the Rubiaceae, pg 185). Sometimes called the Coffee Family, for its most famous member, it also includes the Cinchona Tree, whose bark is a source of quinine, and our local Bluets, Partridgeberries, Buttonweeds, and Bedstraws. Sherardia arvensis – Blue Field Madder – is an introduced species resembling and closely related to the Bedstraws (Galium sp.). In the spring and summer, it can easily be distinguished from the Bedstraws by its bright blue flowers, in contrast to the white flowers of the Bedstraws.

Matted Growth of Sherardia arvensis Covering a Slope at the Base of a Fence

In addition to flower color, the leaves of Sherardia are more lance-like than the Bedstraws, and come to a distinct point.

Pointed Tips of the Leaves of Sherardia arvensis

The leaves grow in distinct separate whorls, also similar to Bedstraws.

The flowers of Sherardia also resemble some of the Bluets (Houstonia sp.). A few blooms of Sherardia are pictured next, followed by a Tiny Bluet (Houstonia pusilla).

Flowers of Sherardia arvensis

Houstonia pusilla – Tiny Bluet

Sherardia arvensis has long been considered monotypic – the only species in the Genus Sherardia. That may be changing, as Weakley’s Flora has recently moved it into the Galium Genus as Galium sherardia. If this reclassification is accepted, Galium sherardia will be one of the least difficult of the Bedstraws to identify. Here is a link to a floristic key to the Genus Galium from the Michigan Flora website: http://michiganflora.net/genus.aspx?id=Galium .

It is doubtful if Bedstraws are high on the list of anyone’s favorite plants, and in some areas they act as invasive weeds. Some are native and some are not. They have recently been important to the study of the evolution of plant leaf whorls (the additional leaves in a whorl may be gradually converted stipules). Dr. Valerie Soza of the University of Washington has published papers on the molecular biology/genetics of plants, using Galium sp. extensively. Here is a link to her webpage, and a link to her plant gallery of western Galium species:

http://faculty.washington.edu/vsoza/ http://faculty.washington.edu/vsoza/gallery.shtml

A final photo of Sherardia (or Galium sherardia) hanging out in one of its favorite spots, a driveway crack.

Sherardia arvensis Rising from a Driveway Crack

Herb Amyx

Fragrant Sumac and Spring Colors

B. W. Wells Association — Thu, 02 May 2013 23:09:08 +0000

It is usually a surprise to find Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica) blooming in the early spring in the Piedmont of North Carolina. It is a relatively rare plant in the Falls Lake area and generally occurs in small, fragmented populations. The shrub itself is low-lying and the flowers begin to bloom before the foliage appears. The small clusters of tiny yellow flowers can be difficult to spot against the dead leaves of the forest floor. As the bloom progresses, the leaves begin to appear and make the shrub a little more visible to a person walking past. The rich green trifoliate leaves closely resemble those of poison oak, inhibiting the urge to check the aromatic properties of the foliage. If Fragrant Sumac gets enough sun, it will also have a beautiful fall display of orange and red colors.

Rhus aromatica

Wood Betony (Pedicularis canadensis) can occasionally be seen in the spring along the Falls Lake trails. As the plants appear, some of them may go through a phase where the foliage turns a dark, purplish red. This color has sometimes been characterized as carmine, which is a deep red with slight purple tinges. Wood Betony is semi-parasitic on the roots of other plants. Interestingly, the fern-like spring foliage bears a striking resemblance to another semi-parasitic plant – the Oak Leech (Aureolaria sp.), which, as the name implies, is semiparasitic on the roots of oaks.

Pedicularis canadensis

Carmine may also describe the color of these Virginia Heartleaf (Hexastylis virginica) flowers. The flowers are found at the base of the plant and are usually covered with leaf debris, so catching them in bloom requires active participation on the part of the photographer. The effort is well worthwhile, as the flowers provide some of the richest color in the spring forest.

Hexastylis virginica

Herb Amyx

Early Spring Update – Mitchell Mill

B. W. Wells Association — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 23:42:52 +0000

The early spring Sandworts are starting to bloom at the Mitchell Mill State Natural Area. They are most likely Minuartia glabra (or Minuartia groenlandica var glabra). If so, their common name is Appalachian Stitchwort. The following photos show their opposite, linear leaves and the creased and cleft petals of the flower. They are very fine, wiry plants with small flowers.

Minuartia glabra?

Minuartia glabra

The Diamorpha smallii (Elf Orpine) has begun lateral branching and a few plants are showing signs of budding. Bloom may only be a few weeks off in spite of the cold.

Lateral Branching” width=”640″ height=”480″ class=”size-full wp-image-377″ /> Diamorpha smallii
Lateral Branching

Lateral Branching” width=”640″ height=”480″ class=”size-full wp-image-378″ /> Diamorpha smallii
Lateral Branching

Early Saxifrage (Saxifraga virginiensis) is blooming in many areas across the margins of the flatrocks, often near or within a group of lichens, or in the midst of new moss growth.

Saxifraga virginiensis

Rock Spike Moss – Selaginella rupestris – is very common in the areas with large numbers of Minuartia, and in the final photos of this group, young Minuartia plants can be seen coming out of the Selaginella.

Selaginella rupestris” width=”640″ height=”480″ class=”size-full wp-image-382″ /> Rock Spike Moss
Selaginella rupestris

Selaginella rupestris” width=”640″ height=”480″ class=”size-full wp-image-383″ /> Rock Spike Moss
Selaginella rupestris

Selaginella rupestris with young Minuartia

Invasive aquatic plants are common at Mitchell Mill. This photo shows two growing in the same shallow pool on the flatrock surface. The plant with the round leaves is Ludwigia peploides – the Floating Primrose Willow. Although it is a native plant, it can be highly invasive, and causes problems in some of the inlets of Falls Lake. Myriophyllum aquaticum or Parrot Feather, is the plant with the fine, delicate, feather-like foliage. Interestingly, it originated in South America, in the Amazon Basin, and has spread nearly world-wide, reproducing by fragmentation. Only female plants are found outside South America, so no seeds are ever formed in the rest of the world. Obviously this has not proven to be a hindrance to this plant.

Ludwigia peploides and Myriophyllum aquaticum

The worst invasive at Mitchell Mill is the two-legged or four-wheeled variety, which is extremely destructive. The following photo shows tire tracks destroying most of a colony of Elf Orpine and Appalachian Stitchworts, both of which are North Carolina protected species. We are hoping that the State Parks will close the entrance area into the flatrocks from Rt 96, which is partially closed by boulders, but can be bypassed.

Tire Damage

Herb Amyx

Diamorpha smallii (Elf Orpine) in Late Winter

B. W. Wells Association — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 22:59:20 +0000

The granitic flatrocks of the Mitchell Mill State Natural Area are colorful on a late winter day, with red colonies of Diamorpha smallii scattered across a background of dark green mosses and light green lichens. The plants are currently in their semi-dormant rosette stage with no aerial stems showing yet.

Diamorpha smallii – Elf Orpine

Diamorpha smallii is a succulent winter annual whose seeds are disseminated by water. The seeds germinate in November and December. This winter, colonies of D. smallii have spread widely from their normal locations onto many of the adjacent flatrocks, including some areas where they have not been seen before. Some of the colonies are nestled in wet mosses and some are out on open flatrock, either partially or completely submerged in small pools of water. These shallow pools can freeze completely overnight and thaw in the bright afternoon sun. This can happen repeatedly with no apparent effect on the plants themselves.

Diamorpha smallii Partially Submerged

Occasionally green colonies can be seen.

Green Rosette of Diamorpha smallii

A closeup of the compact rosettes.

Compact, Rosette Form of Diamorpha smallii

It will be interesting to keep track of the colonies to see if they can survive in the new locations through the coming spring. Diamorpha smallii is a rare plant in North Carolina: Status T – Threatened; Rank S2 – Imperiled.

Herb Amyx

Surprising Colors in Painted Buckeyes (Aesculus sylvatica)

B. W. Wells Association — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 14:44:30 +0000

Painted Buckeye (Aesculus sylvatica) is an understory shrub or small tree common to the bottomland forests of the Falls Lake area. It is one of the earliest trees to leaf out in the spring, and its large, green, palmate leaves stand out clearly as they unfurl against a background of dead leaves and gray tree trunks. The large yellow clusters of upright flowers are said to resemble a paint brush, and are responsible for the “Painted” portion of the common name. Some Painted Buckeyes show surprising colors in other areas of the tree, and rarely may have pink or red flowers.

The terminal bud scales sometimes display a rich pink color after opening to release the growing leaf shoots, illustrated by the following two photos. On a sunny day, the bud scales catch the eye even at a distance.

Aesculus sylvatica Terminal Bud Scales

Most Painted Buckeyes develop dark green leaves and yellow or yellow/green flowers:

Aesculus sylvatica

Aesculus sylvatica bloom

Some Buckeyes go through a brief period when the leaves are red or burgundy in color just after they emerge. It is not known whether this is genetic or if it is a function of environmental conditions. The following three pictures were taken in March 2010 in the bottomlands below the Falls Lake Dam. I returned there one year later to see if the red colors were reproduced, but the grove had been wiped out by the construction of the Neuse River Trail.

The first photo shows an interaction of plant pigments, primarily chlorophyll and red pigments like anthocyanin. Both greens and reds can be seen.

Aesculus sylvatica

The next two photos show the dominance of red pigments producing burgundy and red colors.

Aesculus sylvatica

The B. W. Wells State Recreation Area has a grove of Painted Buckeyes that produce flowers in various shades of pink to light red. These are rarely seen in the Falls Lake area and are a beautiful sight in the early spring forest. The plants that produce pink flowers are scattered throughout the grove rather than isolated in a small patch. They are few in number compared to the majority of yellow-flowering plants.

One plant produced flowers with light pink, yellow and green colors.

Aesculus sylvatica Mixed Color Bloom

The final two photos are of two Painted Buckeyes with deep pink to pinkish red flowers.

Aesculus sylvatica Pink Bloom

Aesculus sylvatica Pink to Red Bloom

Herb Amyx

The Dimpled Trout Lily – Erythronium umbilicatum

B. W. Wells Association — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 21:32:08 +0000

Erythronium umbilicatum

Trout Lilies are among the earliest wildflowers to bloom in the spring. Hugh Nourse and I found this Dimpled Trout Lily on a late afternoon walk on the Yellow Trail at Rockcliff Farm on Feb. 18th. Although we saw many small Trout Lily leaves, and a few with the blooms forming, this was the only plant in full bloom.

If you are interested in how the “Dimpled” Trout Lily got its name, check out Will Cook’s excellent Carolinanature website: http://www.carolinanature.com/plants/dimpledtroutlily.html

Herb Amyx

Symplocos tinctoria (Sweetleaf) on the Zeagle’s Rock Trail

B. W. Wells Association — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 22:12:48 +0000

Symplocos tinctoria (Sweetleaf, Horsesugar) is a large semi-evergreen shrub that is rare in the Piedmont of North Carolina, but common on the Coastal Plain. It occurs occasionally in the Falls Lake area and at Rockcliff Farm. Small numbers can be seen on both sides of the Zeagle’s Rock Trail from its beginning at the dirt road near Rockcliff Farm, to Zeagle’s Rock. Like most of the Sweetleaf seen at Falls Lake, the Rockcliff Farm population grows in heavy shade and is often browsed by deer. Blooms are sparse and many of the shrubs do not bloom at all. The leaves of this shrub, as the name Sweetleaf implies, are slightly sweet-tasting, which leads to preferential browsing by the local White-tailed Deer. The browsing is fortunately often very erratic. Last fall, one large shrub along the trail was chewed to tatters with only small pieces of leaves remaining, while another similar sized shrub, just 10 feet away, was untouched and had all its foliage.

The following photos were taken along Zeagle’s Rock Trail in May. A flash was used due to heavy shade from the surrounding trees. The photos illustrate new spring foliage, still green and shiny. The third photo illustrates the drupe (a fruit containing a single seed) that is formed after a successful bloom. Sweetleaf spreads mostly by seeds.

Symplocos tinctoria spring leaves

Symplocos tinctoria leaves

Symplocos tinctoria drupes

The following photo shows 2 flowers in bloom, with unopened buds along the stem and new leaves coming out of the end of the stem. One old leaf can still be seen hanging on from the previous year. Note the prominent stamens. The flower shots were taken in Bertie County in April.

Symplocos tinctoria flowers and buds

The next photo shows individual flowers with the stamens so prominent that they tend to obscure the petals.

Symplocos tinctoria flower

At the center of this photo, flowers can be seen blooming with new foliage extending from the stem and a good number of old leaves still attached.

Symplocos tinctoria flowering with old leaves still remaining

During the winter, distinctive terminal buds can be seen. These final photos were taken in February, and many older leaves were still attached to this plant.

Symplocos tinctoria branching terminal buds

A close shot of a terminal bud shows the brown color and profuse hairs seen at this time.

Symplocos tinctoria terminal buds

Sweetleaf is easiest to find in April and May, when the foliage is new and the deer have not yet destroyed the leaves. And the Zeagle’s Rock Trail below Rockcliff Farm is one of the best spots to find it.

Herb Amyx

Helianthus porteri in Alexander County with Notes on Protected Status

B. W. Wells Association — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 20:54:23 +0000

Rocky Face Mountain

Rocky Face Mountain is a low elevation granitic dome lying in the upper Piedmont region of Alexander County, North Carolina. Helianthus porteri (Porter’s Sunflower) is found here in great abundance, its late fall golden yellow blooms dominating the flora of the area and blending with the fall colors of the surrounding forest. Like its sister colony at the Mitchell Mill State Natural Area, Helianthus porteri was brought to Rocky Face Mountain in February of 1959 as part of an ecological experiment. Its original home was in Mt. Arabia, Lithonia, Georgia. Porter’s Sunflower adapted well, spread widely from its original site, and is now found in large colonies at the base of the dome and on flat ledges and open soil on the upper surfaces of the dome.

One of the Upper Slopes on the Rocky Face Granitic Dome

A few colonies were still in bloom in the rocky soil at the base of the dome in early November 2012.

Helianthus porteri still blooming in early November

Most of the colonies were past bloom, dried, and bearing abundant seeds.

Helianthus porteri in Seed-bearing Stage

Rocky Face Mountain Recreation Area is now an Alexander County Park with a small office, rest rooms, and a picnic area.

Protected Status of Helianthus porteri

H. porteri is found in only 4 states and is native to only 3.

In North Carolina, it is considered an exotic, and not protected.

In South Carolina, where it is sometimes called Porter’s Goldeneye, it is S-1 Critically Imperiled , occurring at only a single site, a granite outcrop near the Greenville-Spartanburg airport.

In Georgia it is unprotected and found in abundance at granite outcrops throughout the north-central counties of the state.

In Alabama it is S-2 Imperiled and is found in only a few of the eastern counties.

Early November Bloom of Helianthus porteri

Herb Amyx

White Baneberry at B. W. Wells

B. W. Wells Association — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 19:04:58 +0000

White Baneberry (Actaea pachypoda) is one of the rarest plants found in the B. W. Wells State Recreation Area. It appears to be present in only one deep, heavily wooded valley. This valley runs parallel to an old roadbed that ends eventually at an osprey nesting platform. The presence of White Baneberry in this valley is an indication of the high quality of the woodlands and the likely-hood that the original plant species are still there. Found in this same valley are unusual color forms of Painted Buckeye, Paw Paw trees, Three-lobed Violets, Southern Maidenhair Ferns, and many species of wildflowers. It is possible that this area was never farmed due to the steepness of the surrounding valley walls.

Actaea pachypoda – Foliage

Actaea pachypoda – Flower

White Baneberry is often called Doll’s Eyes due to the large, strange-looking white berries that are produced by the plant after blooming. The berries resemble the eyes of old-fashioned China dolls, white with a large black spot in the middle. The name “baneberry” comes from the toxicity of the berries and the foliage – handling them can cause acute irritation and blisters. Birds, however, can eat the berries with no ill effects and serve to disseminate the seeds.

Actaea pachypoda – Berries

The White Baneberry at B. W. Wells is listed in Watch Category 6 – regionally rare in the Piedmont. After we recorded its exact location by GPS coordinates, State Parks placed it in its database of rare and important plants at Falls Lake.

Herb Amyx

Fall Wildflowers at Rockcliff Farm

B. W. Wells Association — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 01:25:13 +0000

A variety of wildflower seeds were planted this past weekend at the Rockcliff Farm trails and lakeside. A surprising number of wildflowers were still in bloom there and in the ditches alongside the road to the farm. Where the blue trail bends near the lake, Agalinis purpurea - Purple Gerardia, was blooming in large clusters, its small pink flowers dotting the slopes. This photo shows two blooms with little visitors/pollinators hiding in the depths of the flower.

Along the water’s edge were small colonies of one of the toughest plants at Falls Lake – Eryngium prostratum – Creeping Eryngo. It grows at the water’s edge, where it is battered by the waves generated by passing boats, dried and roasted by the sun when the water level drops, and submerged for days or weeks when the water level is too high. It responds by blooming 7 months of the year, from July to January. This plant is easy to miss – blooms are very small, about 1/4 in long, and the leaves are the size of a penny.

Eryngium prostratum – Bloom

Eryngium prostratum – Colony

Eryngium prostratum – Leaves

Along the white trail from Soapstone Point to Zeagle’s Rock was the stump of a large tree which often plays host to a variety of wood fungi. This fall a huge Bracket Fungus, Ganoderma lucidum – called the Lingzi Mushroom, could be seen. Its bright red color and shiny surface made it easy to spot from the trail.

Ganoderma lucidum – Lingzhi Mushroom

The road leading to Rockcliff Farm has been a great place year round to find wildflowers. These Late Purple Asters, Symphyotrichum patens, were still blooming brightly at the crest of the ditches.

Symphyotrichum patens – Late Purple Aster

Herb Amyx