SAPS-NCGA

Monday, October 7, 2019

Buck Creek Serpentine Barrens with Matt Bushman - October

We visited a very special area not far from Franklin with Matt Bushman as our guide. Matt is the Botanist for the Nantahala region of the Forest Service and his job is to survey and try to protect the endangered and rare plants in our forests, and manage the invasive species. Buck Creek Serpentine Barrens has several plants that are found no where else in North Carolina. The rocks are of serpentinized dunite and olivine adding minerals that support some interesting plants. We found many of those plants including the rare (in our area) Fringed Gentian and it was in bloom!

Thanks to David Fann for the following images:

Matt with American Burnett

Karen taking photo of Grass of Parnassus

Lewis getting photos

Matt

taking photos of Fringed Gentians

Fringed Gentian

And Karen Lawrence provided these images from our day:

Buck Creek Ragwort, Packera serpenticola

Curtiss' Milkweed

Fringed Gentian

Fringed Gentian up close

Grass of Parnassus, Parnassia grandifolia

Ladies Tresses

Fringed Gentian

Male-berry

Maple leaves

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Matt

Matt teaching

Rhianna's Aster, Symphyotrichum rhiannon

Rosinweed

Serpentine

Monday, September 2, 2019

Bogging with Carrie - "Moss Hog" and "Bog Baby" -August 27, 2019

How appropriate to visit a bog on a rainy day! Carrie was wonderful as usual even with Maela Aster with her. Several of us had never seen a bog, sphagnum moss, or pitcher plants in the wild. This bog is surviving with much care, monitoring and the removal of pigs. The Cuthbert Turtleheads, rare in our area, were in bloom and were beautiful. We had three photographers to document this experience and give you an idea of what we saw. Our southern bogs are very unique and we were fortunate to be allowed to visit this one. Thanks to Carrie Redroot Radcliff for providing us this opportunity.