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October, 2005
Introduction
The flora of Kentucky is diverse (Browne and Athey, 1992; Jones, 2005), and this is particularly true of calcareous terrain such as this. The main objective in studying this area was to document floras this far south in which the northern disjunct, Canada Yew (Taxus canadensis), is embedded. The area is located in Carter County in northeastern Kentucky. Bedrock in the area of interest consists of Mississippian Genevieve Limestone and Pennsylvanian Lee Sandstone and these rocks are separated by an unconformity. They are gently folded and some of the limestones are cross-bedded. Elevations range between 700 and 1100 feet (214 and 336 m) asl. This is a major karst region in which streams flow partially underground in caves and are fed through sinkholes (McGrain, 1966). While the Carter County occurrence of Canada Yew is the major one in Kentucky, this plant is also found in Jackson, Pulaski, Menifee, Rowan and Wolfe counties, including the Daniel Boon National Forest, as well as one county in Tennessee (Deborah White, personal communication, 7-16-04). It also appearsthat in most, if not all of these occurrences, it is associated with calcareous rocks and soils.
This study was done chiefly through field observation, with sequential non-destructive plant identification on observation, frequently with the use of a hand lens. No voucher specimens were taken nor other collections made.
Dr. R. Hunsucker wrote:
"Shep [much loved dog!] and I just got in from Carter Caves. Takes about 7 hours to drive at my speed. Left Marlinton [ Fri.] July 22 [05]; in the field Sat., Sun. and Mon. Temp. 94-97 deg F and high humidity. Carter Caves is a Resort Park. After finally meeting the Park "naturalist", I still didn't know much about plant life; got better help from three young summer employees, one of whom attached Shep and me to the end of his 50 person cave tour. Cave entrances are doored and locked. Half way through, the cave is interrupted and opens out to a stream and woodland. I climbed over the fence and Shep and I started hunting [among?] boulders, rock of all sizes and shapes, steep rocky slopes. I found a half dozen small communities of Taxus, the largest with perhaps 25-40 plants, before rejoining the last tour of the day. I later walked the Box Canyon Trail and found a few plants on a couple of boulders. Where these plants grow it's inaccessible to deer. Getting around in these places is difficult! Most hunting was done in the Nature Preserve. I took a 1/2 day walk along [and? ] in a (now dry) stream [name?] bed with natural rock bridges and low cliffs, good habitat for Yew, but didn't find any. In Aug. or Sept. I plan to spend 3 days in the Nature Preserve."
Source Walks: 7-23-05, 7-24-05 and 7-25-05
1) On stream terraces, lower, mid and upper slopes, the following
Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)
Sweet White Violet (Viola blanda)
Panicled Aster (Aster simplex)
American Spikenard (Aralia racemosa )
Greek Valerian (Polemonium reptans)
Reed Canary Grass (Phalaris arundinacea)
American Alumroot (Heuchera americana)
Royal Fern (Osmunda regalis)
Common Horsetail (Equisetum arvense )
Scouring Rush (Equisetum hyemale)2) On open, dry-mesic uplands (Cascade Caverns Nature Preserve) the following:
Virginia Juniper (Juniperus virginiana )
Black Birch (Betula lenta)
Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra )
Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica)
Osage Orange (Maclura pomifera) -widely introduced southern native
Marginal Shield Fern (Dryopteris marginalis)
Spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis)
Heart-leaved Skullcap (Scutellaria ovata )
Revolute Meadowrue (Thalictrum revolutum)3) At base of rocky cliff, on boulders and in rock crevices the following:
Sugar Maple ( Acer saccharum )
White Basswood (Tilia heterophylla)
Umbrella Tree (Magnolia tripetala)
Black Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)
Paw Paw (Asimina triloba)
Prickly Gooseberry (Ribes cynosbati)
Cinnamon Fern (Osmunda cinnamomea)
Rock Fern (Polypodium virginianum)
Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum )
Ground Pine (Lycopodium pedatum)
Indian Cucumberroot ( Medeola virginiana)
American Alumroot (Heuchera americana )
Hairy Heuchera (Heuchera villosa var villosa )
Round-leaf Catchfly (Silene rotundifolia)
Virginia Waterleaf ( Hydrophyllum virginianum)
Woodland Meadow Parsnip (Thaspium trifoliatum )4) Cascade Caverns at break (opening) in one of the caves (east of CNP), where six small populations of Yew were found [ see quote ]. On boulders, rocky steep slopes and along the stream the following were found:
Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)
American Basswood (Tilia americana)
Canada Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)
Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra)
Boxelder (Acer negundo )
Hophornbeam ( Ostrya virginiana)
Mountain Maple (Acer spicatum) (N)-considered rare in Kentucky
Canada Yew ( Taxus canadensis) (N)-on humic soil over sandstone boulders next to cliff base; considered rare in Kentucky.
Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
Maple-leaf Viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium)
Hoptree (Petelea trifoliata)
Hispid Greenbrier (Smilax hispida )
Poison Ivy (Rhus radicans)
Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)
Intermediate Shield Fern ( Dryopteris intermedia)
Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides )
Bulbiferous Bladder Fern (Cystopteris bulbifera)
Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum)
Walking Fern (Camptosorus rhizophyllus )
Downy Many Knees ( Polygonatum pubescens)
Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense )
White Baneberry ( Actaea pachypoda)
Indian Turnip (Arisaema triphyllum)
Four-leaved Yam (Dioscorea quaternata)
Wood Nettle (Laportea canadensis)
Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia)
Sharp-lobe Hepatica ( Hepatica acutiloba )
Bearded Shorthusk (Brachelytrum erectum)
Clearweed ( Pilea pumila)
Honewort (Cryptotaenia canadensis)
Hooked Crowfoot ( Ranunculus recurvatus)
Hairy Sweet Cicely (Osmorhiza claytoni)
Sweet White Violet (Viola blanda )
Wild Stonecrop (Sedum ternatum)
Plume Lily (Smilacina racemosa)
5) In upland woods and openings, the following:
Upland Low Blueberry (Vaccinium pallidum)
Hairy-seed Paspalum (Paspalum pubiflorum) (S)
Panicum anceps
Wild Sensitive Plant ( Cassia nictitans )
Old Field Goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis)
Cut-leaf Goldenrod (Solidago arguta var arguta )
Wrinkle-leaf Goldenrod (Solidago rogusa)
Bushy Aster (Aster dumosus )
Silphium trifoliatum
Ox-eye (Heliopsis helianthoides)
Spiked Lobelia (Lobelia spicata)
Yellow Passion Flower (Passiflora lutea )(S)
Virginia Yellow Flax ( Linum virginianum )
Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)6) Along Tygarts Creek in CNP, the following:
Sugar Maple (Acer sacchrum )
Black Maple (Acer nigrum)
Bladdernut (Staphylea trifolia )
Burning Bush / Wahoo (Euonymus atropurpureus)
Late Goldenrod ( Solidago gigantea)
Giant Sunflower (Helianthus giganteus)
Great Indian Plantain (Cacalia muehlenbergii)
American Germander (Teucrium canadense)
Groundnut (Apios americana)
Virginia Wild Rye (Elymus virginicus)
Water Willow (Justicia americana )-aquatic
Common Monkeyflower (Mimulus ringens)
Fringed Loosestrife (Lysimachia ciliata)
an unidentified dodder (Cuscuta sp)
Fall Phlox (Phlox paniculata)
Golden Alexanders (Zizia trifoliata)
Riddell's Hedge Nettle (Stachys cordata)
Nodding Fescue (Festuca obtusa)
Green Violet ( Hybanthus concolor)
Water Hemlock (Cicuta maculata)7) The following plants were identified on a 3.5 mile walk (Three Bridges Trail) and the Cascades Caverns Nature Preserve:
Canada Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)
White Pine (Pinus strobus) -planted
Virginia Pine (Pinus virginiana) -in Resort Park area
Short-leaf Pine (Pinus echinata) -in Resort Park area
Virginia Juniper (Juniperus virginiana)
Umbrella Tree (Magnolia tripetala)
Tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera)
Sassafras (Sassafras albidum)
Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)
Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra )
Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis )
Red Mulberry ( Morus rubra )
Black Walnut (Juglans nigra)
Pignut Hickory (Carya glabra)
Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata)
Mockernut Hickory (Carya tomentosa )
Bitternut Hickory (Carya cordiformis )
American Beech (Fagus grandifolia)
White Oak (Quercus alba )
Chestnut Oak (Quercus prinus)
Black Oak (Quercus velutina)
Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra)
Scarlet Oak (Quercus coccinea)
Black Birch (Betula lenta )
White Basswood (Tilia heterophylla )
American Basswood ( Tilia americana)
Black Cherry (Prunus serotina)
Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)
Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica)
Yellow Buckeye (Aesculus octandra)
Red Maple (Acer rubrum )
Sugar Maple ( Acer saccharum )
Silver Maple ( Acer saccharinum)
White Ash ( Fraxinus americana)
Hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana )
Blue Beech (Carpinus caroliniana)
Big Tree Plumb (Prunus mexicana) (S)-in border of woods
Common Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea)
Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)
Alternate-leaf Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia )
Mountain Maple (Acer spicatum) (N)
Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum )(S)
American Hazelnut (Corylus americana )
Shrubby St, Johns-wort (Hypeicum spathulatum)
Spice Bush (Lindera benzoin)
Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
Great Rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum )
Upland Low Blueberry (Vaccinium pallidum)
Wild Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens)
Prickly Gooseberry (Ribes cynosbati)
Black Raspberry (Rubus occidentalis)
Allegheny Blackberry (Rubus allegheniensis)
Carolina Rose ( Rosa carolina)
Wahoo (Euonymus atropurpureus )
Carolina Buckthorn (Rhamnus caroliniana) (S)
Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra )
Shining Sumac ( Rhus copallina )
Hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata)
Fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus) (S)
Downy Arrowwood (Viburnum rafinesquianum var rafinesquianum
Black Haw Viburnum (Viburnum prunifolium)
Maple-leaf Viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium )
Black Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)
Deerberry (Vaccinium stamineum)
Hercules' Club (Aralia spinosa)
St. Andrew's Cross ( Hypericum stragalus)
Bladdernut (Staphylea trifolia)
Poison Ivy (Rhus radicans)
Smooth Honeysuckle ( Lonicera dioica var dioica) (N)-on rich soil over boulders, the stems hanging over the edges
Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)
Summer Grape (Vitis aestivalis )
Graybark Grape (Vitis cinerea)
Winter Grape (Vitis vulpina)
Smilax bona-nox
Saw Brier (Smilax glauca)
Hispid Greenbrier (Smilax hispida)
Common Greenbrier (Smilax rotundifolia )
Dewberry (Rubus flagellaris)
Cinnamon Fern (Osmunda cinnamomea)
Interrupted Fern (Osmunda claytoniana)
Rattlesnake Fern (Botrichium virginianum)
Rock Fern (Polypodium virginianum)
Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum)
Purple Cliffbrake ( Pellaea atropurpurea)
Ebony Spleenwort (Asplenium platyneuron)
Glade Fern (Athyrium pycnocarpon)
Southern Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina var esplenioides)
Bulbiferous Bladder Fern (Cystopteris bulbifera)
Broad Beech Fern (Thelypteris hexagonoptera)
New York Fern (Thelypteris noveboracensis)
Intermediate Shield Fern (Dryopteris intermedia)
Marginal Shield Fern (Dryopteris marginalis)
Christmas fern ( Polystichum acrostichoides)
Sensitive Fern (Onoclea sensibilis )
Spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis )
Common Rush (Juncus effusus)
Trail Rush (Juncus tenuis)
Scirpus atrovirens
Nutrush ( Scleria oligantha)
unidentified woodrush ( Luzula sp)
Carex radiata
Carex laxiflora
Carex gracilescens
Carex plantaginea
Carex vulpioidea
Carex debilis var debilis
Carexspp
Carex frankii
Carex hitchcockiana
White Grass (Leersia Virginica )
Twin Grass (Diarrhena americana)
Bearded Shorthusk (Brachyelytrum erectum)
Nodding Fescue (Festuca obtusa)
an unidentified fescue ( Festuca sp)
Fowl Mannagrass (Glyceria striata)
Reed Canary Grass (Phalaris arundinacea)
Canada Brome Grass ( Bromus purgans)
Virginia Wild Rye ( Elymus virginicus)
Riparian Wild Rye ( Elymus riparius)
Bottlebrush Grass ( Elymus hystrix)
Mountain Oatgrass (Danthonia compressa)
Poverty Oat grass (Danthonia spicata )
Chasmanthium latifolium
Slender-flowered Muhly (Muhlenbergia tenuiflora )
Nimble Will ( Muhlenbergia schreberi)
Bushy Panic Grass (Panicum dichotomum )
Deertongue Grass ( Panicum clandestinum )
Panicum boscii
Many-flowered Panic Grass (Panicum polyanthes }
White-haired Panic Grass (Panicum villosissimum)
Variable Panic Grass (Panicum commutatum )
Flat-stemmed Panic Grass (Panicum anceps )
Panicum laxiflorum
Paspalum pubiflorum
Broomsedge (Andropogon virginicus )
Asian Stilt Grass (Microstegium vimineum) -abundant
Wake Robin ( Trillium erectum )
Indian Cucumberroot (Medeola virginiana )
Common Many Knees (Polygonatum biflorum )
Downy Many Knees (Polygonatum pubescens)
Mealy Bellwort (Uvularia perfoliata)
Mandarin (Disporum maculatum) (S)
Plumelily (Smilacina racemosa)
Crested Dwarf Iris (Iris cristata)
Dwarf iris (Iris verna )
Carrion Flower (Smilax herbacea )
Downy Rattlesnake Plantain (Goodyera pubescens)
an unidentified Habenaria orchid (Habenaria sp)
Virginia Knotweed ( Polygonum virginianum)
Four-leaved Yam ( Dioscorea quaternata )
Indian Turnip (Arisaema triphyllum )
American Spikenard (Aralia racemosa)
Virginia Snakeroot ( Aristlochia serpentaria )
Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)
White Baneberry (Actaea pachypoda)
Thimbleweed ( Anemone virginiana )
Wood Anemone (Anemone quinquefolia)
Virgin's Bower (Clematis virginiana )
Round-leaf Hepatica ( Hepatica americana )
Sharp-lobe Hepatica (Hepatica acutiloba)
Hooked Crowfoot (Ranunculus recurvatus)
Hispid Buttercup (Ranunculus hispidus var hispidus)
Revolute Meadowrue (Thalictrum revolutum)
May Apple (Podophyllum peltatum)
Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides)
Canada Moonseed (Menispermum canadense)
Bloodroot ( Saguinaria canadensis )
Wood Nettle ( Laportea canadensis)
False Nettle (Boehmeria cylindrica)
Clearweed ( Pilea pumila)
Poke ( Phytolacca americana)
Great Chickweed ( Stellaria pubera)
Round-leaf Catchfly (Silene rotundifolia )
Dotted St. Johns-wort (Hypericum punctatum )
Small-flowered St. Johns-wort (Hypericum mutilum)
Green Violet ( Hybanthus concolor)
Sweet White Violet (Viola blanda )
Dog Violet (Viola conspersa)
Downy Yellow Violet (Viola pubescens)
Palmate-leaf Violet (Viola palmata )
Yellow Passion Flower (Passiflora lutea )(S)
Smooth Rockcress ( Arabis laevigata)
Fringed Loosestrife (Lysimachia ciliata) -in flower
Whorled Loosestrife (Lysimachia quadrifolia)
Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia)
American Alumroot (Heuchera americana )
Hairy Heuchera (Heuchera villosa var villosa )
Small-flowered Heuchera (Heuchera parviflora )(S)
Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) -a single plant seen
American Ipecac (Gillenia stipulata)
Creeping Five-leaf (Potentilla simplex)
White Avens (Geum canadense)
Tall Agrimony ( Agrimonia gryposepala)
Soft Agrimony (Agrimonia pubescens)
Miterwort ( Mitella diphylla)
Wild Sensitive Plant (Baptisia nictitans)
Naked-flowered Tick-trefoil (Desmodium nudiflorum )
Paniculate Tick-trefoil (Desmodium paniculatum )
Desmodium glutinosum
Hog Peanut (Amphicarpa bracteata)
Seedbox (Ludwigia alternifolia)
Common Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis)
Enchanter's Nightshade (Circaea quadrisulcata)
Flowering Spurge (Euphorbia corollota)
Calystegia sepion
Virginia Yellow Flax ( Linum virginianum)
Horse Nettle (Solanum carolinense)
Upright Yellow Wood Sorrel (Oxalis stricta)
Wild Geranium ( Geranium maculatum )
Pallid Jewelweed (Impatiens pallida )
Spotted Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis)
America Spikenard (Aralia racemosa )
Black Snakeroot (Sanicula canadensis )
Zizia trifoliata
Woodland Meadow Parsnip (Thaspium trifoliatum)
Water Hemlock (Cicuta maculata )
Hairy Sweet Cicely (Osmorhiza claytoni )
Smooth Sweet Cicely ( Osmorhiza longistylis )
Honewort ( Cryptotaenia canadensis )
Rose Pink (Sabatia angularis)
Spreading Dogbane (Apocynum androsaemifolium)
Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca )
an unidentified dodder (Cuscuta sp)
Fall Phlox (Phlox paniculata )
Creek Valerian (Polemonium reptans)
Stickseed ( Hackelia virginiana )
Wild Comfrey (Cynoglossum virginianum)
White Vervain (Verbena urticifolia )
American Germander (Teucrium canadense)
Hairy Skullcap (Scutellaria elliptica)
Pycnanthemum tenuifolium
Pycnanthemum pycnanthemoides
Wild Sage ( Salvia lyrata )
Horse Balm (Collinsonia canadensis )
Self-heal ( Prunella vulgaris var lanceolata )-the native Self-heal
Winged Monkeyflower (Mimulus alatus)
Common Monkey Flower (Mimulus ringens)
Dittony (Cunila origanoides )
European Pennyroyal ( Hedeoma puglegioides )
Oswego Tea (Monarda didyma)
Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
Hedge Nettle ( Stachys cordata)
Meehania (Meehania cordata )
Maryland Figwort (Scrophularia marilandica)
Downy Yellow Foxglove (Aureolaria virginica) - 9 to 10 feet tall!
Entire-leaved Yellow Foxglove (Aureolaria laevigata)
Wood Betony (Pedicularis canadensis)
Cancerroot ( Conopholis americana)
Wild Petunia (Ruellia caroliniensis )
Water Willow (Justicia americana )
Tall Bellflower (Campanula americana)
Indian Tobacco (Lobelia inflata )
Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis )
Spiked Lobelia (Lobelia spicata)
Large Summer Bluets (Houstonia purpurea )
Partridge Berry ( Mitchella repens )
Sweet-scented Bedstraw (Galium triflorum)
Wild Licorice (Galium circaezans)
Lance-leaf Wild Licorice (Galium lanceolatum )
Lopseed (Phryma leptostachya)
Feverwort (Triosteum angustifolium)
Small-headed Sunflower (Helianthus microcephalus)
Giant sunflower (Helianthus giganteus)
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Brilliant Coneflower (Rudbeckia fulgida var ambrosia)
Tall Coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata)
Wingstem (Verbesina alternifolia)
Small Yellow Crownbeard (Verbesina occidentalis)
Ox-eye (Heliopsis helianthoides var helianthoides)
Wood Tickseed (Coreopsis major)
Yellow-flowered Leafcup (Polymnia uvedalia)
Cup Plant (Silphium trifoliatum)
Common Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisifolia)
Giant Ragweed (Ambrosia trifida )
Squawweed (Senecio obovatus)
Golden Ragwort (Senecio aureus)
Pilewort (Erechtites hieracifolia )
Pale Indian Plantain (Cacalia atriplicifolia)
Great Indian Plantain (Cacalia muehlenbergii )
Wreath Goldenrod (Solidago caesia )
Small-headed Goldenrod (Solidago microcephala )
Late Goldenrod (Solidago gigantea)
Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis var scabra)
Broad-leaf Goldenrod (Solidago flexicaulis)
Old Field goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis )
Cut-leaf Goldenrod (Solidago arguta var arguta)
Wrinkle-leaf Goldenrod (Solidago rugosa)
Sweet Goldenrod ( Solidago odora)
Blue Wood aster (Aster cordifolius)
Wavy-leaf Aster (Aster undulatus)
Bushy Aster (Aster dumosus)
White Heath Aster (Aster pilosus)
Calico Aster (Aster lateriflorus )
White Wood Aster (Aster divaricatus)
Big-leaf Aster (Aster macrophyllus)
Short's Aster (Aster shortii)
Panicled Aster (Aster simplex)
Aster paterus
Crooked-stem Aster (Aster prenanthoides )
Robin's Plantain (Erigeron pulchellus)
Daisy Fleabane (Erigeron annuus )
Plantain-leaf Pussytoes ( Antennaria plantaginifolia)
Eupatorium godfreyanum
White Snakeroot ( Eupatorium rugosum)
Late-flowering Thoroughwort ( Eupatorium serotinum)
Common Joe-pye Weed (Eupatorium fistulosum)
Wide-leaved Joe-pye Weed (Eupatorium purpureum)
Mistflower (Eupatorium coelestinum)
Elephant's Foot ( Elephantopus carolinianus) (S)
Tall Ironweed (Vernonia gigantea)
Wild Lettuce (Lactuca canadensis)
Panicled Hawkweed (Hieracium paniculatum)
Hairy Hawkweed (Hieracium gronovii)Source Walks: 9-19-05, 9-20-05, 9-21-05 and 9-22-05
A traverse was made along Tygart's Creek, upstream from the bridge on Highway 182, following just under the bluff, along the Creek-very rough going! It was sunny, hot, muggy, except for a few hours of light rain on Tuesday (9-20-05) morning.
A) woods, openings and borders; crests and upland slopes:
Tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera)
Red Maple ( Acer rubrum )
White Oak (Quercus alba )
Northern Red Oak ( Quercus rubra)
Pignut Hickory ( Carya glabra)
Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata)
Black Walnut (Juglans nigra)-common
Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica )
White Ash ( Fraxinus americana)
Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum)(S)
Shortleaf Pine (Pinus echinata)
Shrubby St. John's Wort (Hypericum prolificum)
St. Andrew's Cross ( Hypericum stragalum )
Rattlesnake Fern (Botrychium virginianum )
Purpletop (Tridens flavus)
Bushy Panic Grass (Panicum dichotomum)
Crested Dwarf Iris (Iris cristata)
Rose Pink (Sabatia angularis )
Heart-leaved Skullcap (Scutellaria ovata var calcareum)
Desmodium glutinosum
Round-leaf Tick-trefoil (Desmodium rotundifolium)
Desmodium paniculatum
Desmodium nudiflorum
Desmodium marilandicum-infrequent
Desmodium laevigatum-infrequent
Hairy Bushclover ( Lespedeza hirta) -infrequent
Lespedeza capitata-infrequent
Lespedeza violacea-infrequent
Beechdrops (Epifagus virginiana)
Downy Lobelia (Lobelia puberula )
Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica)
Late Goldenrod (Solidago gigantea)
Wreath Goldenrod (Solidago caesia)
Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis var scabra) -common
Cudweed (Gnaphalium obtusifolium )
Small-headedSunflower (Helianthus microcephalus )
Mistflower (Eupatorium colestinum)
Bushy Aster (Aster dumosus)
Wavy-leaf Aster ( Aster undulatus)
Calico Aster (Aster lateriflorus )
Short's Aster (Aster shortii) -a calciphile
BlueWood Aster (Aster cordifolius)
WhiteWood Aster (Aster divaricatus)
Aster ontarionis- in moist depressions, locally several
White Heath Aster (Aster pilosus)-ruderal
Brilliant Coneflower (Rudbeckia fulgida)
Tall White Lettuce ( Prenanthes altissima)
Elephant's Foot (Elephantopus caroilianus)(S)
Hairy Hawkweed (Hieracium gronovii)
Squaw-weed (Senecio obovatus)
a cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium)
"herb of Stumps" (Eclipta alba or E. prostrata)
TallIronweed (Vernonia gigantea) -occasionalB) Tygarts Creek, N-NW-facing slopes, mesic:
Chestnut Oak (Quercus prinus )
Northern Red Oak (Quercus prinus)
Chinquapin Oak (Quercus muhlenbergii )
Black Walnut (Juglans nigra )
Bitternut Hickory (Carya cordiformis )
Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra)
Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)
Tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera)
America Basswood (Tilia americana var americana)
Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)
American Beech (Fagus grandifolia)
White Ash (Fraxinus americana)
Yellow Buckeye ( Aesculus octandra)
Canada Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) -frequent as saplings to small and medium sized trees
Blue Beech (Carpinus carolinianus )-occasional
Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)
Alternate-leaf Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia) -frequent
Paw Paw (Asimina triloba) -common
Bladdernut (Staphylea trifolia )-common in colonies
Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) -frequent
Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) -frequent
Maple-leaf Viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium )
Downy Arrowwood (Viburnum rafinesquianum )
Smooth Gooseberry (Ribes rotundifolium )
Wahoo (Euonymus atropurpureus) -occasional
Wild Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) -frequent on lower slopes and terrace zone
Canada Yew (Taxus canadensis) (N)-ranging from a couple of plants to many at base of steep, high calcareous cliffs, to soil over boulders, to rocky slopes
Poison Ivy ( Rhus radicans)
Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia )-frequent
Hispid Greenbrier (Smilax hispida) -occasional
Common Greenbrier (Smilax rotundifolia) -occasional
Smilax bona-nox-occasional
Bulbiferous Bladder Fern ( Cystopteris bulbifera) -strong calciphile
Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum)
Purple Cliffbrake (Pellaea atropurpurea) -infrequent in rock crevices of calcareous cliffs
Christmas Fern ( Polystichum acrostichoides) -frequent
American Alumroot (Heuchera americana ) -infrequent
Indian Turnip ( Arisaema triphyllum)
Carex plantaginea
Carex eburnea-strong calciphile,in dense tufts in rock crevices,infrequent
Bearded Shorthusk (Brachyelytrum erectum )
Autumn Bent (Agrostis perennans)
Slender-flowered Muhly ( Muhlenbergia tenuiflora )
Panicum boscii
White Grass (Leersia virginica )
Large-flowered Bellwort (Uvularia grandiflora)
Downy Many Knees (Polygonatum pubescens)
Four-leaved Yam (Dioscorea quaternata)
Wild Ginger ( Asarum canadense )
Wood Nettle (Laportea canadensis) -common
Clearweed (Pilea pumila )-in open and shady moist places
Canada Moonseed (Menispermum canadense )-on lower slopes and terrace
Hooked Crowfoot (Ranunculus recurvatus )-occasional
Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis )-frequent
Sharplobe Hepatica (Hepatica acutiloba) -frequent
Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) -infrequent to local colonies
Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa )-frequent
White Avens (Geum canadense )-occasional
Tall Agrimony (Agrimonia gryposepala) -frequent on lower slopes and terrace
Panicled Phlox or Fall Phlox (Phlox paniculata) -on terrace and slope edge
Wild Stonecrop (Sedum ternatum )
Pallid Jewelweed ( Impatiens capensis)
Hog Peanut (Amphicarpa bracteata) -common on terrace
Greek Valerian (Polymonium reptans) -a few plants on Creek terrace
Sweet -scented Bedstraw (Galium triflorum) -common
Horse Balm (Collinsonia canadensis)
Meehania (Meehania cordata )
unidentified violets (Viola spp)
Black Snakeroot ( Sanicula canadensis) -frequent
Clustered Snakeroot ( Sanicula gregaria )-frequent on lower slopes and terrace
American Spikenard (Aralia racemosa )-on open lower slope
Wingstem (Verbesina alternifolia) -frequent to common on terrace and moist slope openings
White Wood Aster (Aster divaricatus)
Short's Aster ( Aster shortii)
Calico Aster (Aster lateriflorus)
Blue Wood Aster (Aster cordifolius)
Crooked-stem Aster (Aster prenanthoides)
Lance-leaved Aster (Aster laceolatus)
Aster ontarionis-on terrace and slope border
Small-headed Sunflower (Helianthus microcephalus)
Slender Goldenrod (Solidago erecta)
Broad-leaf Goldenrod (Solidago flexicaulis)
Upland Boneset (Eupatorium sessilifolium )
White Snakeroot (Eupatorium rugosum)
Tall White Lettuce ( Prenanthes altissima) -on open lower slope
C) Tygarts Creek, E-SE aspect, terraces, lower slope and narrow flood plain:
Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica)-occasional
Cottonwood (Populus heterophylla)-frequent on terrace and lower slopes
Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)-frequent
Boxelder (Acer negundo) -frequent
Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra) -frequent
Tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera) -frequent
Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) -frequent
Yellow Buckeye (Aesculus octandra )-frequent
American Basswood (Tilia americana var americana) -frequent
Chinquapin Oak (Quercus muhlenbergii) -frequent
Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana)-infrequent
Paw Paw (Asimina triloba) -common
Spice Bush (Lindera benzoin) -frequent
Bladdernut (Staphylea trifolia) -frequent
Witch Hazel ( Hamamelis virginiana )-frequent
Redbud (Cercis canadensis) -frequent
Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans) -infrequent
Winter Grape (Vitis vulpina) -scattered
Meadow Spikemoss (Selaginella apoda) -infrequent on stream bank
Bulbiferous Bladder Fern (Cystopteris bulbifera) -occasional
Common Water Plantain ( Alisma subcordatum) -infrequent in mud
Wirestem Muhly (Muhlenbergia frondosa) -in open moist to wet areas
Chasmanthium latifolium-along Creek and terrace
Ditch Stonecrop (Penthorum sedoides )-infrequent in mud
a cress (Rorippa sp) -in Creek bed
Maryland Figwort (Scrophularia marilandica )-occasional
Panicled or Fall Phlox (Phlox paniculata) -infrequent on open terrace and flood plain
Turtlehead (Chelone glabra) -in bloom on wet lower slopes
Wild Senna (Cassia hebecarpa or Senna hebecarpa )-infrequent on open disturbed terrace
American Pennyroyal ( Hedeoma pulegioides )-several in dryish openings
Southern Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum pycnanthemoides) -frequent on open lower slopes
Eupatorium godfregianum-frequent on open lower slopes
Big-leaf Aster ( Aster macrophyllus )-scattered colonies
Short's Aster (Aster shortii) -frequent
Panicled Aster (Aster simplex )-frequent
Aster ontarionis-occasional
Crooked-stem Aster (Aster prenanthoides) -in moist to wet openings
Broad-leaf Goldenrod (Solidago flexicaulis) -frequent
Cut-leaf Goldenrod (Solidago arguta var arguta) -occasional
Wreath Goldenrod (Solidago caesia) -frequent in woods
Wrinkled-leaf Goldenrod (Solidago rugosa) -frequent on terrace
Old Field Goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis )-in dry openings and woods
Cup Plant (Silphium perfoliatum)
Yellow Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) -on flood plain and terrace
Tickseed Sunflower (Bidens coronata )-frequent on terrace
a beggar tick (Bidens frondosa) -on moist terrace
Jerusalem [nuts! ] Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) -on terrace
Late-flowering Thoroughwort (Eupatorium serotinum )-frequent on terrace
Horseweed (Conysa canadensis )-frequent as ruderal
D) Disturbed woods and openings near entrance to the Box Canyon Trail:
Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) -common
Bitternut Hickory ( Carya cordiformis) -frequent
Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) -common
Honey Locust (Gleditsia tricanthos)
Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia )
Slippery Elm ( Ulmus rubra)
Tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera)
Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)
Red Mulberry (Morus rubra)
Blue Beech (Carpinus caroliniana)
Carolina Buckthorn (Rhamnus caroliniana)(S)
Osage Orange (Maclura pomifera)-widely introduced southern native
Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra)
Shining Sumac (Rhus copallina)
Purpletop (Tridens flavus)
Flat-stemmed Panic Grass (Panicum anceps)
Deer-tongue Grass (Panicum clandestinum)
Panicum acuminatum
Wood Witch Grass (Panicum philadelphicum)
Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans)
Plume Grass (Erianthus alopecuroides)
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Late Purple Aster (Aster patens )
Bushy Aster (Aster dumosus)
Calico Aster (Aster lateriflorus)
Wavy-leaf Aster (Aster undulatus)
Small-headed Sunflower (Helianthus microcephalus)
Ox-eye (Heliopsis helianthoides)E) Tygarts Creek, E-SE aspect, terrace and flood plain:
a spikemoss (Eleocharis obtusa) -in mud
Calingale (Cyperus strigosus) -on wet flood plain
Dodder (Cuscuta compacta )-on Turtlehead
Ground Cherry (Physalis angulata ) (S)-one plant
F) Box Canyon, with calcareous cliffs, boulders and mesic woods:
Umbrella Tree (Magnolia tripetala) -common
Black Birch (Betula lenta) -frequent
Canada Hemlock ( Tsuga canadensis) -frequent
Tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera )-frequent
Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra) -frequent
unspecified basswood ( Tilia sp) -frequent
Yellow Buckeye (Aesculus octandra )-frequent
Bladdernut (Staphylea trifolia) -frequent
Wahoo (Euonymus atropurpurea) -infrequent
Great Rhododendron ( Rhododendron maximum) -some thickets
Purple Cliffbrake (Pellaea atropurpurea) -frequent in rock crevices
Ebony Spleenwort (Asplenium platyneuron )-occasional on ledges and in crevices
Bulbiferous Bladder Fern (Cystopteris bulbifera) -occasional
Cut-leaf Grapefern (Botrychium dissectum )
Small-flowered Heuchera (Heuchera parviflora) (S)- "a rare plant" (Cronquist) ; a small population at the base of a cliff
Wild ginger (Asarum canadense )
Bloodroot ( Sanguinaria canadensis) -infrequent
Sharp-lobe Hepatica (Hepatica acutiloba )
White Baneberry (Actaea pachypoda) -infrequent
G) Dry open, upland woods, limestone outcrops [leached soils, or in part on Lee Sandstone?]:
Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) -frequent
Virginia Pine (Pinus virginiana) -common
Scarlet Oak (Quercus coccinea) -frequent
Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginicus) -occasional
Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica) -infrequent
Carolina Rose (Rosa carolina) -occasional,with ripe fruit
Broomsedge (Andropogon virginicus) -frequent
Little Bluestem (Andropogon scoparius) -frequent
Round-fruited Panic Grass (Panicum sphaerocarpon) -occasional
Flowering Spurge (Euphorbia corollata) -infrequent
Round-leaf Tick-trefoil (Desmodium rotundifolium )-infrequent
Trailing Bushclover (Lespedeza procumbens )
Morning-glory( Ipomoea purpurea )-infrequent
Slender Goldenrod (Solidago erecta) -frequent
Late Purple Aster (Aster patens) -frequent
Hairy Throughwort (Eupatorium rotundifolium)
Plantain-leaf Pussytoes ( Antennaria plantaginifolia) -several locally
H) Upland moist woods in calcareous areas near Park Visitor Center and around cave mouth:
Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) -common
Chinquapin Oak ( Quercus muhlenbergii )-frequent
Northern Red oak (Quercus rubra) -occasional
White Ash (Fraxinus americana) -frequent
Hackberry (Celtus occidentalis) -
Slippery Elm ( Ulmus rubra )-frequent
American Elm (Ulmus americana) -infrequent
Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) -infrequent
Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) -common
Redbud (Cercis canadensis) -frequent
Paw Paw (Asimina triloba )-common in moist hollow
Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginicus) (S)-infrequent
Black Haw Viburnum (Viburnum prunifolium) -occasional
Wahoo (Euonymus atropurpurea) -infrequent
Shrubby St. Johns-wort ( Hypericum prolificum )-infrequent
Smooth Paspalum (Paspalum laeve) -infrequent
Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) -a small colony and a few scattered plants
Black Snakeroot (Sanicula canadensis) -frequent
Mulein Foxglove (Dasistoma macrophylla) -in fruit, infrequent, robust-to ~8 ft.
Discussion
The occurrence of the three northern disjunct species Canada Yew (Taxus canadensis), Mountain Maple ( Acer spicatum ) and Smooth Honeysuckle (Lonicera dioica ) stand out in these floras, which are dominated by temperate and southern species. In the species lists the names of the northerners are followed by the symbol (N) and those of the markedly southern species by (S). That there appear to be at least ten of the latter ( see natureserve Web Site) illustrates the unusual occurrence of the disjunct species. Of likely significance is the virtual confinement of these species to calcareous substrates, since this appears to be a characteristic of certain other disjunct northerners in the Appalachians. A good example is the virtual confinement of the swamp-dwelling Northern White Cedar or Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) to dry limestone outcrops far south of its normal range, and at low to moderate elevations, along the Appalachians (Fowells, 1965). The southward extension of Mountain Maple also appears to be favored by calcareous substrates (see our section on Blowing Springs). Of significance also is the lack of confinement of the Yew to calcareous substrates in the cool, northern type, usually high elevation, forests in the mountains of West Virginia (see our section on Tea Creek/Williams River).
In the Carter and Cascade Caves areas, as elsewhere, the Yew appears to be confined to sites of limited accessibility to Deer.
While not observed in our inventories, Braun (1950) reported the presence in the general area of the rare species Canby's Mountain Lover ( Pachystima canbyi ) ,Sullivant's Coolwort ( Sullivantia ohionis ) and Mountain Thaspium (Thaspium pinnatifidum) .
Although calcareous substrates appear to dominate, as reflected in the flora, at least one site appears to deviate from this trend. This is the habitat G of the September inventory, which contains the acidiphile Scarlet Oak, a number of generally acid tolerant species and no marked calciphiles. Since this habitat occupies a dry upland, it may contain acidic Lee Sandstone or severely leached soils above limestone, and that these factors contribute to these occurrences. These characteristics are also shared to a lesser degree by the habitat A, which however, is larger and more complex, and contains some species such as Desmodium glutinosum and Great Blue Lobelia, which characterize alkaline environments. The acidiphile Great Rhododendron also occurs in two generally alkaline habitats, perhaps as a consequence of locally leached soils.There is also a virtual absence or rarity of clubmosses, certain ferns such as New York (Thelypteris noveboracensis) and Hay-scented ( Dennstaedtia punctilobula) and members of lily family genra such as Clintonia and Uvularia. It is likely that this also is a result of the generally alkaline conditions.
Acknowledgements
We wish to thank the Kentucky State Park System for the opportunity to study the rich flora of Carter and Cascade Parks.
We also thank Deborah White of the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission for making available a list of known occurrences of Canada Yew in Kentucky and Tennessee.
Note
If a reader has knowledge of literature references pertinent to the discussion of the flora in this section, we would appreciate being informed so we might refer to them.
References
Braun, E. Lucy (1950) Deciduous Forests of Eastern North America. Macmillan Publishing Co., New York
Browne, Edward T. and Raymond Athey, editors (1992) Vascular Plants of Kentucky; An Annotated Checklist. The University Press of Kentucky
Fowells, H. A. Compiler (1965) Silvics of forest trees of the United States. U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural Handbook 271, Washington D.C. 762 p.
Jones, Ronald L. (2005) Plant Life of Kentucky, an Illustrated Guide to the Vascular Flora. The University Press of Kentucky. 856 p.
McGrain, Preston (1966) Geology of the Carter and Cascade Caves Area. Kentucky Geological Survey, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Ky.
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