2016 Catch Up, July and August

 

July 2016 Plants

Over the last 4 years during the month of July I have spent time in central Pennsylvania working on an invasive plant survey within Sproul, Tuscarora, Rothrock and Bald Eagle State forests. When I am conducting the invasive plant survey in central PA, I always try and visit as many natural areas as possible after work. During a visit to a new natural area I visited last year, I was able to finally see buckbean (Menyanthes trifoliate).

Buckbean (Menyanthes trifoliate)

Though not a listed plant species here in PA, still a very cool plant to see in the field. Menyanthes is a monotypic genus usually found growing in areas associated with acidic water and sphagnum moss. I came across this very large population of buckbean within a cranberry bog in Sproul State Forest. Buckbean is a very easy plant to identify in the field as one can see by its obvious 3 lobed compound leaf which kind of have a thick and leather-like texture. Only thing that was disappointing about this experience was the lack of flowers.  Buckbean has a very interesting distribution within the US, where it is common in the far northeast, upper great lakes region and northwest, though rare throughout the northern Midwest states.

Another plant that I enjoy seeing during my time in Sproul State Forest is the brownish beaksedge (Rhynchospora capitellata).

Brownish beaksedge (Rhynchospora capitellata)

Though not a rare plant in PA, the brownish beaksedge may be a plant that some of us may not see that often. Belonging to the cyperaceae plant family, brownish beaksedge has very unique dark brownish colored  spikelets that are almost impossible to overlook. When in the field Rhynchospore can be quickly separated from Carex by the presence of bisexual flowers that lack a perigynium enclosing the achene.

I certainly love spending time botanizing in central PA, who can resist the beautiful rolling mountains and deep river valleys.

West Branch of the Susquehanna

Only thing that makes me nervous is the threat of timber rattlesnakes, especially when I spend so much time kneeling on the ground looking at plants.

Brown phase timber rattlesnake

Doesn’t matter if you are walking through upland rocky rights of ways or bogs, in Sproul State forest you can usually find a timber rattlesnake anywhere.

August 2016 Plants

In 2016, I think I have finally come across the coolest looking sedge to date for me. While exploring a bog within Tioga County PA, I came across the unique bog sedge (Carex magellanica subsp. irrigua).

Bog sedge

Can’t beat the excitement a plant geek feels the moment you finally step into an open bog community after trekking through a shaded upland forest for 30 minutes, it’s just such an abrupt from one plant community to another.

Tioga County PA Bog

During the middle of August 2016 I found myself doing wetland and stream work on a famous Pittsburgh island called Brunot Island. The island is within the Ohio River just west of the city.

Northwest Bank of Brunot Island looking upstream on the Ohio River

My understanding is that the Brunot family owned and lived on the island during the 1700 and 1800’s and somehow the Lewis and Clark expedition spent the night on the island in the summer of 1803. Presently the island is home to a large power generating station and very disturbed environmentally. Lots of slag and invasive plants dominate the island.

View inland on Brunot Island

Still, I was able to find some pretty cool plants while walking the island in search of wetlands. Though not rare by any means here in PA, some cool plants observed on Brunot Island were blue-curls (Trichostema dichotomum) and freshwater chordgrass (Spartina pectinata).



blue-curls (Trichostema dichotomum)

freshwater chordgrass (Spartina pectinata)

Late August I was in Guilford County North Carolina conducting stream and wetlands surveys. While in North Carolina I was able to observe 2 plant species I have been anxious to see for quite some time. The first plant I finally got to see in the field was gamma grass (Tripsacum dactyloides).

gamma grass (Tripsacum dactyloides)

Gamma grass is a very large and unique grass closely related to corn. Not the best photo I have taken, but in the picture above you can still make out the male flowers positioned at the top of the spike while the female flowers can be observed below. Currently in PA the state status for gamma grass is undetermined yet proposed endangered. I was observing gamma grass growing in many of the transmission line right of ways while in North Carolina mainly in dry to mesic environments.

The second plant I got to observe while in North Carolina was upright primrose willow (Ludwigia decurrens).

upright primrose willow (Ludwigia decurrens)

At first site this plant was easy to recognize that it beloged to the onagraceae family by the 4 yellow petal flowers and simple leaves.

upright primrose willow flower

The most unique feature of this Ludwigia was the presence of the ‘winged’ stem.

Upright primrose willow 'winged' stem, look close

Here in PA upright primrose willow is listed as endangered. I have never come across this plant in PA but observed it growing in many fringe wetlands along perennial streams in North Carolina.

Until Next Time, Keep Botanizing!