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Survey
by Dr. Robert Hunsucker of Brattons Run Valley from the Rt. 39 bridge
upstream to an unknown location between
approximately 10:30 AM and 4:30 PM on 7-14-07. Plants were noted from the
stream, banks and nearby areas that would be flooded at times. The lower
reaches of side branches were also included.
Brattons Run
Rockbridge County,
Virginia
Vascular Plants in order of life form
(Introduced species are indicated by *)
Fraxinus americana (White Ash) -frequent
Fraxinus pennsylvanica (Green Ash) -occasional
Platanus occidentalis (Sycamore) -common
Salix nigra (Black Willow) -frequent
Salix caroliniana (Carolina Willow) -occasional
Crataegus crus-galli (Cockspur Hawthorn)-infrequent
Juglans nigra (Black Walnut) -frequent
Carya cordiformis (Bitternut Hickory) -occasional
Quercus imbricaria (Shingle Oak) -on sandy bank,
infrequent
Quercus x leana ( Q. imbricaria x Q. velutina ?, so it seems, since Black Oak is in vicinity)
Diospyros virginiana (Persimmon) -one small tree
Ulmus rubra (Slippery Elm) -frequent
Prunus serotina (Black Cherry) -frequent
Acer rubrum (Red Maple) -frequent
Liriodendron tulipifera (Tuliptree) -frequent
Salix eriocephala (Diamond Willow) -infrequent
Corylus americana (American Hazelnut) -in scattered clumps
Alnus serrulata (Smooth Alder) -frequent; abundant in some side branches
Physocarpus opulifolius (Ninebark) -infrequent
Cornus amomum (Silky Cornel) -frequent
Ilex verticllata (Winterberry Holly) -occasional
Lindera benzoin (Spice Bush) -frequent
Viburnum prunifolium (Black Haw Viburnum)-frequent
Rosa palustris (Swamp Rose) -infrequent
*Rosa multiflora (Multiflora Rose) -abundant in some areas
Rubus occidentalis (Black Raspberry) -occasional
Rubus pennsylvanicus (Pennsylvania Blackberry) -frequent
Sambucus canadensis (Black Elderberry) -infrequent
Hypericum spathulatum (Shrubby St. Johns Wort) -infrequent
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus (Coral Berry) -locally several on banks
Vitis labrusca (Fox Grape) -forming local thickets
Vitis aestivalis (Summer Grape) -frequent
Vitis vulpina (Winter Grape) -frequent
Pathenocissus quinquefolius (Virginia Creeper) -common
Rhus radicans (Poison Ivy) -common
Clematis virginiana (Virgin's Bower) -frequent
Smilax hispida (Hispid Greenbrier) -locally several
Smilax glauca (Catbrier) -locally several
Smilax rotundifolia (Common Greenbrier) -locally several
Onoclea sensibilis (Sensitive Fern) -infrequent
Botrychium dissectum (Cutleaf Grapefern)
Potamogeton foliosus (Leafy Pondweed) -infrequent
Sagittaria latifolia (Wapato or Duck Potato) -infrequent
Alisma subcordatum (Water Plantain) -infrequent
Panicum clandestinum (Deertongue Grass) -common
Panicum dichotomum (Bushy Panic Grass) -frequent
Leersia oryzoides (Rice Cutgrass) -locally
several
Elymus riparius (Riparian Wild Rye) -frequent
Elymus hystrix (Bottlebrush Grass) -frequent
Elymus virginianus (Virginia Wild Rye)-occasional
Glyceria striata (Fowl Mannagrass) -frequent
*Microstegium vimineum (Asiatic Stiltgrass) -locally common
*Anthoxanthum oderatum (Sweet Vernal Grass) -occasional
*Poa compressa (Canada Bluegrass) -occsional
Poa sylvestris (Sylvan Bluegrass) -infrequent
Muhlenbergia schreberi (Nimblewill) -infrequent,
but locally several
Festuca subverticillata (Nodding Fescue) -occasional
Bromus latiglumis (Early-leaf Brome) -occasional
Agrostis perennans (Autumn Bent Grass) -infrequent
*Arthraxon hispidus (Hairy Joint Grass) -abundance ?
Eleocharis obtusa (Spikerush) -infrequent
Scirpus atrovirens-occasional
Scirpus pendulus (S. lineatus) -infrequent
Scirpus expansus-infrequent
Cyperus strigosus (Calingale) -infrequent
Carex torta-frequent in stream and on "islands"
Carex lurida-occasional
Carex typhina-infrequent
Carex frankii-occasional
Carex gynandra-infrequent
Caex vulpinoidea-infrequent
Carex stipata-infrequent
Carex scoparia-occasional
Carex festucacea-infrequent
Carex intumescens-occasional
Juncus effusus-occasional
Juncus acuminatus-infrequent
Allium canadense (Meadow Garlic) -occasional
Eleocharis obtusa (a spikerush) -infrequent
Arisaema dracantium (Green Dragon) -infrequent
Smilax herbacea (Carrion Flower) -infrequent
Boehmeria cylindrica (False Nettle) -frequent
Pilea pumila (Clearweed) -frequent
Polygonum punctatum (Water Smartweed) -frequent
Polygonum sagittatum (Arrow-leaf Tearthumb) -frequent
*Polygonum Caespitosum (Asiatic Water Pepper) -occasional
Polygonum Virginianum (Virginia Knotweed) -occasional
Phytolacca americana (Poke) -occasional
Thalictrum revolutum (Revolute Meadowrue) -occasional
Ranunculus recurvatus (Hooked Crowwfoot) -occasional
Ranunculus scleratus (Cursed Crwfoot) -infrequent
Menispermum canadense (Canada Moonseed) -locally
numerous
Geum canadense (White Avens) -frequent
Rorippa islandica (Marsh Yellow Cress) -infrequent
Cardamine bulbosa (Bulbus Cress) -infrequent
Cardamine pensylvanica (Pennsylvania Bitter Cress) -infrequent
Penthorum sedoides (Ditch Stonecrop) -infrequent
Agrimonia gryposepala (Tall Agrimony) -occasional
Desmodium spp. (Tick-trefoil) -2-3 spp., not in
flower
Apios americana (Ground Nut) -locally several
Cassia sp. (Wild Senna) -infrequent in sand
Gallium triflorum (Sweet-scented Bedstraw) -frequent
Oxalis stricta (Upright Yellow Wood Sorrel) -occasional
Acalypha rhomboidea (Three-seeded Mercury) -occasional
Amphicarpa bracteata (Hog Peanut) -fairly common
or frequent
Euphorbia sp. (an unid. spurge)
Euphorbia maculata (Spotted Spurge) -on sandbar
Impatiens pallida (Pallid Jewelweed) -common
Impatiens capensis (Spotted Jewelweed) -common
Hypericum mutilum (Dwarf St. Johns
Wort) -occasional
Hypericum punctatum (Dotted St. Johns Wort) -occasional
Sanicula canadensis (Black Snakeroot) -occasional
Viola sp. (an unid. violet) -occasional
Passiflora lutea (Yellow Passion Flower) -infrequent
Lythrum salicaria (Spiked Loosestrife) -three
plants noted
Epilobium coloratum (Purple-leaved Willow Herb) -occasional
Oenothera biennis (Common Evening Primrose) -occasional
Oenothera perennis (Sundrops) -infrequent
Circaea qudrisulcata (Enchanter's Nightshade) -
Cicuta maculata (Water Hemlock) -infrequent
Cryptotaenia canadensis (Honewort) -occasional to frequent
Samolus parviflorus (Water Pimpernel) -infrequent
Apocynum sibericum (Clasping-leaved Dogbane) -sandy, gravelly beaches
Asclepias incarnata (Swamp Milkweed) -infrequent
Asclepias syriaca (Common Milkweed) -locally
several
Apocynum sibericum (Clasping-leaved Dogbane) -sandy gravelly beaches
Ipomoea lacunosa (Small-flowered Morning Glory) -infrequent
Cuscuta sp.
(Dodder, not in flower) -infrequent
Phlox maculata (Wild Sweet William) -infrequent
*Myosotis scorpioides (Forget Me Not) -abundance?
Verbena urticifolia (White Vervain) -occasional
Teucrium canadense (American Germander) -common
Scutellaria lateriflora (Mad Dog Skullcap) -occasional
Prunella vulgaris var vulgaris (introduced
Selfheal) -occasional
Prunella vulgaris var lanceolata (American
Selfheal) -occasional
Monarda fistulosa (Wild Bergamot) -common locally
Lycopus uniflorus (Northern Bugleweed) -occasional
Pycnantemum tenuifolium (Mountain Mint) -infrequent
Mimulus ringens (Common Monkey Flower) -occasional
Grateola neglecta (Clammy Hedge Hyssop) -infrequent
Justicia americana (Water Willow) -infrequent
Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower) -occasional
Lobelia siphilitica (Great Blue Lobelia) -occasional
Vernonia noveboracensis (New York Ironweed) -frequent
Erigeron annuus (Daisy Fleabane) -occasional
Silphium trifoliatum (whorled Rosinweed) -infrequent
Bidens spp. (2-3 spp. beggar ticks) -frequent
Solidago rugosa (Wrinkled-leaf Goldenrod) -common
Solidago canadensis var scabra (Canada
Goldenrod) -common
Solidago gigantea (Late Goldenrod) -occasional
Euthamia graminifolia (Grass-leaved Goldenrod) -occasional to frequent
Aster prenanthoides (Crooked-stem Aster) -frequent
Aster lateriflorus (Calico Aster) -frequent
Aster lanceolatus var simplex (Panicled
Aster) -occasional to locally several
Aster divaricatus (White Wood Aster) -frequent on
banks in woods
Verbesina alternifolia (Wingstem) -common
Rudbeckia laciniata (Tall Coneflower) -common
Senecio aureus (Golden Ragwort) -occasional
Eupatorium fistulosum (Hollow-stemmed Joe Pye
Weed) -frequent
Eupatorium perfoliatum (Boneset) -occasional
Heliopsis helianthoides (Ox-eye) -frequent
Helianthus tuberosus (Jerusalem Artichoke) -locally several
Helianthus decapetalus (Thin-leaved Sunflower) -locally several
Xanthium strumanium (Cocklebur) -occasional
Erechtites hieracifolia (Fireweed) -infrequent in
sand
Cirsium sp. (an unid. thistle not in
flower)
Mosses
Amblystegium serpens-on rotten deciduous wood
Amblystegium tenax-on wet rocks in small branch
stream
Anomodon attenuatus-on bark at base of Red Maple, etc.
and rotting down bole
Atrichum undulatum-on moist soil along Run
Barbula cf. convoluta-on moist soil along stream
Brachythecium acuminatum-base of hardwood tree
along stream
Brachythecium rutabulum-on wet decaying down bole
and soil beside stream
Bryhinia novae-angliae-on wet decaying down bole
and soil beside Run
Bryum capillare-moist base of tree trunk beside
stream
Campyllium chrysophyllum-on moist rotting down
bole
Climacium americanum-on moist soil in open areas
and woods along stream
Drepanocladus adunca-emergent in shallow water
Entodon cladorrhizans-on exposed root of tree and
a few rocks beside Run (but dry)
Eurhynchium hians-on wet soil in woods beside Run
Eurhynchium riparioides-on rocks in flowing Run
Fissidens cristatus-on rotten deciuous wood
Fontinalis
novae-angliae -submerged
in flowing stream
Forsstroemia trichomitra-on trunks of Shingle Oak
along stream
Haplocladinium microphyllum-on wet soil along
stream
Hygrohypnum eugyrium-on wet rocks in stream
Hypnum curvifolium-on moist soil along stream
Hypnum imponens-on moist soil along stream
Hypnum pallescens-in moist woods, at base of tree
along stream
Leucodon brachypus-on large roots at base of tree
Leskia obscura-on base of Red Maple, flood plain
of Run
Leucobryum albidum-on moist soil along stream
Mnium cuspidatum-on various moist substrates
Orthotrichum sp.-on down bole in open woods along
stream
Philonotis fontana-on wet soil beside Run
Plagiothecium cavifolium-on tree bases beside Run
Platygyrium repens-in moist woods, at base of tree
along stream
Platylomella lescurii-on wet rocks in small branch
stream
Polytricum commune-on moist soil over rocks by
stream
Schwetschkeopsis fabronia-on bark of Red Maple
Sematophyllum marylandicum-on wet rock along
stream
Thelia asperella-on bark at base of Red Maple
Thuidium delicatulum-on soils,rotting down boles,
bank along stream
Ulota crispa-on trunks of Shingle Oak along stream
Liverworts
Calypogeia muelleriana-on moist soil, shded woods
Cephalozia bicuspidata-on moist soil of Run
Chiloscyphus profundus-on moist soil along Run
Conocephelum conicum-on wet rock
Frullania brittoniae-on tree bark along Run
Kurzia sylvatica-on soil of Run
Pellia epiphylla-on soil of Run
Plagiochila asplenoides-on wet rocks along stream
Porella pinnata-on exposed small rocks along
stream
Scapania nemorosa-on wet soil over sandstone
Soleuostoma hyalinum-on moist soil-covered rocks
along Run
Fungi
Gerronema chrysophylla
Laetiporus sulfureus
Pleurotis ostreatus
Polyporus radicatus
Russula (2 spps.)
Butterflies
Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
Spicebush Swallowtail ( Papilio troilus )
Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyexenes)
Orange Sulfur (Colias eurytheme)
Cabbage White (Pieris rapa )
Mourning Cloak (Nymphalus antiopa)
Spring Aszure ( Celestrina ladon )
Pearl Cresent (Phyciodes tharos )
Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus
clarus)
Comments
The listed species of vascular
plants characterize the lower reaches of Bratton's Run. Although no soil pH
values were determined, the plant communities appear to be characteristic of
slightly acidic to circumneutral ranges of this parameter. This also appears to
be true of a number of the bryophytes and at least some of the fungi, such as Pleurotis
ostreatus. Those of the upper reaches may be quite different. For example,
this commentator (R. F. Mueller) has seen the acid soil species Parnassia asarifolia (Kidney-leaf
Grass of Parnassus) and other plants not listed above in Pinus strobus (White Pine) swamp forest of the upper reaches of this stream. Unfortunately
this forest has been degraded by timber sales.