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Introduction
The following is a report of a floral reconnaissance of this unique feature of the Allegheny highlands (see our section on the Pennsylvania forests). The salient is defined by a unique concentration of northern plants-and to a lesser degree mammals and birds — centered in Somerset and Cambria Counties. It seems highly probable that the salient represents an ice-age and post ice-age biological migration corridor that linked the Northern and Central Appalachians. Along it numerous species may have moved freely between northern Pennsylvania and the mountains of Virginia and West Virginia. The sites reported on here were chosen for their landmark quality rather than their ecological significance, since there are not enough data to separate the latter from that of the salient as a whole. The intention here is to obtain a more detailed picture of the flora than is presented by the compilations of Rhoads and Klein (1993) and to assess the general environment. All vascular plants, bryophytes and fungi were identified and their field relations determined by Dr. Robert Hunsucker.
Slopes of Mount Davis Natural Area, Somerset County
Elevations in the Mount Davis Natural Area range from 2823 feet (861 m) to 3213 feet (980 m) asl, at this, the highest point in Pennsylvania. Mount Davis is a local elevation on NE trending 30 mile (48 km) long Negro Mountain. Bedrock is resistant Pottsville Group Sandstone of Pennsylvanian age, which is in part conglomeratic and is generally gray in color (Berg et al, 1980). It dips to the east under younger Pennsylvanian Allegheny Group strata. The dominant soil is of the Hazleton Series and is a very bouldery sandy loam (from on-line data of PA DCNR). The summit is marked by interesting stone rings, presumably related to frost heaving, particularly during and immediately after glacial times, although the area was not itself glaciated. After logging the area was subject to a number of severe wildfires. Air temperatures range from -30 to 95 deg F (-34 to 35 deg C) and precipitation from 38 to 42 inches (965 to 1067 mm). Frost has been observed at some point every month of the year (on-line sources PA DCNR). The data presented here were obtained from the summit area and are not correlated with aspect or elevation.
Source Walks: 6-25-05 and 6-26-05
Canopy trees:
Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra) - dominant
Red Maple (Acer rubrum) -co-dominant
Black Birch (Betula lenta) -frequent in some areas, but not dominant
Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica) -frequent in one rocky area
Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) -scattered
Ameican Chestnut (Castanea dentata) -as sprouts here and there
White Oak (Quercus alba) -as a single sapling by the road
Cucumbertree (Magnolia acuminata) -scattered occurrence
American Beech (Fagus grandifolia) -infrequent
Canada Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) -perhaps a dozen seen
Red Spruce (Picea rubens) -six close together (planted?)
White Ash (Fraxinus americana) -one small sapling seenSmall and understory trees:
Smooth Serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis) -frequent in the understory
Pitch Pine (Pinus rigida) -perhaps six seen
Bigtooth Aspen (Populus grandidentata) -scattered occurrence
Trembling Aspen (Populus tremuloides) -a few seen
Fire Cherry (Prunus pensylvanica) -scattered occurrence
Striped Maple (Acer pensylvanicum) -frequent
Mountain Maple (Acer spicatum) -occasional
Mountain Ash (Sorbus americana) -frequent as seedlings and trees
Wild Crabapple (Malus coronaria) -infrequent
Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) -scattered occurrence as seedlings and small trees
Mountain Holly (Ilex montana) -occasional to frequentShrubs:
Mountain Azalea (Rhododendron roseum/prinophyllum)
Flame Azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum) - (questioned, flowers needed), seen quite frequently as low shrubs to a meter tall
Silky Willow (Salix sericea) -infrequent
Pipestem (Spiraea alba var alba) -single plant seen
Black Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) -infrequent
Bush Honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera) -in flower, corolla yellow, in one large (3 by 10 meter) colony
Bear Oak (Quercus ilicifolia) -frequent in association particularly with Pitch Pine, Sassafras and Wild Crabapple
Wild Raisin (Viburnum nudum var cassinoides )- in flower, one seen
Minnie-bush (Menziesia pilosa) - a few seen with Black Gum and Bear Oak association
Smooth Gooseberry (Ribes rotundifolium) -infrequent
Round-leaf Serviceberry (Amelanchier sanguinea) -several near each other, in soil over boulders
Upland Low Blueberry (Vaccinium pallidum) -frequent
Great Rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum) -one thicket encountered in a bouldery place
Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) -frequent
Red Chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia) -frequent
Black Huckleberry (Gaylussacia baccata) -frequent
Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) -frequent
Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) -forming an almost impenetrable growth in various places, in flower
Allegheny Blackberry (Rubus allegheniensis) -frequentSemi-shrubs:
Trailing Arbutus (Epigaea repens) -patchy in full sun along roads
Teaberry (Gaultheria procumbens) -frequent in very acid areas
Partridge Berry (Mitchella repens) -scattered or patchy
Woody vines:
Sawbrier (Smilax glauca) -infrequent
Common Greenbrier (Smilax rotundifolia) -frequent
Hispid Greenbrier (Smilax hispida) -infrequent
Ground Berry (Rubus hispidus) -common
Herbs:
Interrupted Fern (Osmunda claytoniana) -frequent
Cinnamon Fern (Osmunda cinnamomea) -dominant in ground cover, especially under Northern Red Oak and Red Maple, often with Interrupted Fern.
Sensitive Fern (Onoclea sensibilis) -frequent to clustered.
New York Fern (Thelypteris noveboracensis) -shared dominance with Cinnamon and Interrupted Ferns
Hay-scented Fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula) -openings and borders of woods
Bracken Fern (Pteridium aquilinum) -occasional
Intermediate Shield Fern (Dryopteris intermedia) -common, co-dominant with Cinnamon Fern etc.
Common Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) -infrequent
Common Clubmoss (Lycopodium clavatum) -occasional or clump-forming
Tree Clubmoss (Lycopodium obscurum) _common
Stiff Clubmoss (Lycopodium annotinum) -infrequent
Clasping-leaved Dogbane (Apocynum sibericum) -occasional
Spreading Dogbane (Apocynum androsaemifolium) -infrequent
Star Flower (Trientalis borealis) -locally frequent
Virginia Strawberry ( Fragaria virginiana )-frequent along roads
Sweet-scented Bedstraw (Galium triflorum) -occasional to frequent
Golden Alexanders (Zizia trifoliata) -locally several
Purple-leaved Willow Herb (Epilobium coloratum) -infrequent in wet soil or mud
Smooth Sweet Cicely (Osmorhiza longistylis) -occasional
Honewort (Cryptotaenia canadensis) -frequent locally in open moist places
Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium) -infrequent
Virgin's Bower (Clematis virginiana) -frequent in open, moist places along roads
Creeping Five-leaf (Potentilla simplex) -frequent
Hooked Crowfoot (Ranunculus recurvatus) -occasional
Bluets (Houstonia caerulea) -infrequent
Carex pensylvanica-infrequent
Carex communis-infrequent
Carex brunnescens-frequent
Carex debilis-quite common
Carex gynandra-occasional
Carex aestivalis-infrquent
Carex vulpinoidea-occasional
Carex baileyi-infrequent
Kill Cow (Eleocharis tenuis) -large colony in wet road
Scirpus atrovirens-frequent in wet ditches etc.
unidentified bluegrass (Poa sp.)-occasional
Grove Bluegrass (Poa alsodes) -occasional
Canada Bluegrass (Poa compressa) - (introduced) common at borders, in ditches and along roads
Prairie Wedgegrass (Sphenopholis obtusata var obtusata) -infrequent
Red Fescue (Festuca rubra) -frequent; may be introduced
Reed Canary Grass (Phalaris arundinacea) -a little in wet areas
Deertongue Grass (Panicum cladestinum) -frequent in wet open places
Broad-leaved Panic Grass (Panicum latifolium) -frequent
Fowl Mannagrass (Glyceria striata) -common on wetsoil
Mountain Oatgrass (Danthonia compressa) -common
Wirestem Muhly (Muhlenbergia frondosa) -ferquent along roads
Whitegrass (Leersia virginica) -frequent to common
Common Rush (Juncus effusus) -frequent
Trail Rush (Juncus tenuis) -frequent on trails
Wood Rush (Luzula echinata) -infrequent
Pink Ladyslipper (Cypripedium acaule) - rare
White Avens (Geum canadense) -frequent
Rough Avens (Geum laciniatum) -rare, only three plants together noted
Star Violet (Dalibarda repens) -in flower; several plants in close proximity, not noticed elsewhere; easy to overlook
Sweet White Violet (Viola blanda) -locally several
Downy Wood Violet (Viola sororea) -frequent
Arrow-leaf Tearthumb (Polygonum sagittatum) -frequent on wet soil
Mountain Bindweed (Polygonum cilinode) -occasional
Canada Mayflower (Maianthemum canadense) -common
Carrion Flower (Smilax herbacea) -infrequent
an unidentified clintonia (Clintonia borealis?) -infrequent
Four-leaved Yam (Dioscorea quaternata) -infrequent
Wild Sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis) -frequent
Indian Cucumber Root (Medeola virginiana) -infrequent
Indian Turnip (Arisaema triphyllum) -inferquent
Spotted St. Johns Wort (Hypericum punctatum) -frequent
Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) -frequent colonies
Selfheal (Prunella vulgaris var lanceolata) -common in ruderal areas. The European variety was not seen.
May Apple (Podophyllum peltatum) -locally frequent
unidentified evening primrose (Oenothera sp.) -infrequent
Upright Yellow Wood Sorrel (Oxalis stricta) -frequent
Golden Ragwort (Senecio aureus) -occasional
Common Joe-pye Weed (Eupatorium fistulosum) -infrequent
Wide-leaved Joe-pye Weed (Eupatorium purpureum) -frequent
Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) -infrequent
White Snakeroot (Eupatorium rugosum) -frequent
Cut-leaf Goldenrod (Solidago arguta var arguta) -occasional
Wrinkle-leaf Goldenrod (Solidago rugosa) -common in open wet or moist areas
Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) -occasional
Wreath Goldenrod (Solidago caesia) -frequentSource Walk: 8-9-05
Large and canopy Trees:
Pitch Pine (Pinus rigida )-locally several scattered in dry rocky woods with bear Oak, Mountain Laurel, Black Huckleberry, Teaberry, Red Maple and Common Serviceberry
Canada hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) -locally several trees, some ~10-28 inches dbh, with Great Rhododendron, surrounded by Northern Red Oak, maples, Basswood etc. 15 trees were counted.
Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) -frequent in disturbed places; a few trees, some dead, in mesic woods, old fields
Black Willow ( Salix nigra )-infrequent at edge of moist / wet meadow
Norway Spruce (Picea abies) -saplings and small trees near a meadow and in adjacent forest (planted?)Small trees and shrubs:
American Chestnut (Castanea dentata) -occasional; scattered, mostly in open or borders of dense woods
Common Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea)
Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia)
Black Huckleberry (Gaylussacia baccata)
Upland Low Blueberry (Vaccinium pallidum)
Teaberry ( Gaultheria procumbens)
Trailing Arbutus ( Epigaea repens) -occasional in open oak-laurel woods, acid banks and trail sides
Minnie-bush (Menziesia pilosa )-frequent in rocky, dry woods with other heaths and Pitch Pine
Wild Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) -fairly frequent in open or somewhat shaded mesic woods
Thornless Blackberry ( Rubus canadensis) -frequent in open, disturbed mesic woods
Ground Berry ( Rubus hispidus) - in colonies of up to 40 plants, some bearing up to four fruits per inflorescensHerbs:
Star Violet (Dalibarda repens) -in bloom, in dense colonies up to 20 feet by 20 feet in extent
White Lettuce (Prenanthes altissima )-in bloom; occasional in open woods and disturbed places
Purple-leaved Willow Herb (Epilobium coloratum) -frequent in wet openings
Early Goldenrod ( Solidago juncea) -abundant in upland meadows, open trails and roadsides
Wrinkle-leaf Goldenrod (Solidago rugosa) -exceeds S, juncea in numbers
Late goldenrod (Solidago gigantea )-infrequent in moist soil
Old field Goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) -frequent in open, dry places
Slender Goldenrod (Solidago erecta) -infrequent in dry openings
Grass-leaved Goldenrod (Euthamia graminifolia) -frequent to abundant in moist open areas
Yellow Clintonia (Clintonia borealis) -infrequent in woods; fruits mostly missing
Indian Cucumberroot (Medeola virginiana) -frequent in areas not overrun by ferns
Painted Trillium (Trillium undulatum) -frequent in areas not overrun by ferns
unidentified beggar-ticks (Bidens spp) -not in flower; frequent in open moist woods and roadsides
Autumn Bent Grass (Agrostis perennans )-frequent along trails, roads and in open and closed canopy forest in moist soil
Stiff Clubmoss (Lycopodium annotinum )-occasional in mesic woods
Ground Pine (Lycopodium flabelliforme) -forming colonies, but less frequent than L.obscurum
Shining Clubmoss (Lycopodium lucidulum) -forms extensive colonies in Sugar Maple and N. Red Oak woods
Common Clubmoss ( Lycopodium clavatum )-infrequent in oak and Mtn. Maple woods
Panicled Hawkweed (Hieracium paniculatum) -occasional in open woods, roadsides, trails
Mtn. Bellwort (Uvularia pudica )-occasional in upland woods
Common Many Knees ( Polygonatum biflorum) -infrequent in open woods along stream terraces
Nimble Will (Muhlenbergia schreberi )-frequent or occasional in campsites, trails and roadsides
Common Monkeyflower (Mimuls ringens) -occasional in open moist to wet places
Rice Cutgrass (Leersia oryzoides) -several plants on wet, open ground
Arrow-leaf Tearthumb (Polygonum saggitatum) -infrequent generally, but several plants on wet ground
Mad-dog Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora )-infrequent in wet areas
Juncus subcaudatus-several plants in moist / wet meadow with Scirpus cyperinus, Boneset, Juncus effusus
Scirpus cyperinus var cyperinus- several plants in wet soil of open meadow and roadside ditch as in preceding
Reed canary Grass (Phalaris arundiacea )- infrequent in meadow and roadside wet areas
Asian Stilt Grass (Microstegium vimineum) -abundant
Trail Rush ( Juncus tenuis var tenuis )-requent in moist meadows, along trails, roads and in disturbed areas
Carex scoparia-frequent in moist meadow
Carex baileyi-frequent in moist meadow
Carex lurida-frequent in moist meadow
Carex normalis-infrequent in moist meadow
Carex vulpinoidea-infrequent in moist meadow
Northern Bugleweed (Lycopus uniflorus )-frequent in moist to wet soil in open woods, ditches and roadsides
an unidentified gentian (Gentiana sp) -a dozen or so plants found with robust growth and lustrous green leaves but no flowers
unidentified asters ( Aster spp) -not yet in flower
Cancerroot ( Conopholis americana) -occasional under oak in mesic woods
Lion's Foot ( Prenanthes trifoliata) -occasional along roads, in open woods and on disturbed ground
Turk's Cap Lily (Lilium superbum) -multiple plants with flower buds in meadow
Source Walks in the period 9-25-05 to 9-28-05
Trees and shrubs:
an unidentified blackberry (Rubus sp) (R. canadensis ?)-a few immature plants
an unidentified gooseberry (Ribes sp) -a few plants in a wet depressionSemishrub:
Trailing Arbutus (Epigaea repens) -infrequent along trail
Herbs:
Pinnatifid Spleenwort (Asplenium pinnatifidum) -a single plant in a sandstone crevice
Mountain Bindweed ( Polygonum cilinode) -infrequent at edge of woods and road
Hairy Bedstraw (Galium pilosum) -infrequent in dry oak-hickory-maple woods
Round-leaved Pyrola (Pyrola rotundifolia) -infrequent in dry oak-hickory- Red Maple woods
False Pimpernel ( Lindernia dubia) -a few plants in a wet depression of a logging road
Crooked-stem Aster (Aster prenanthoides) -a few plants in wet depressions and aitches
Mountain Aster (Aster acuminatus) -frequent in mesic woods
Hispid Goldenrod (Solidago hispidus) -infrequent in dry open woods and borders
Silverrod ( Solidago bicolor )-along roads and in open woods
Wreath Goldenrod (Solidago caesia) -occasional in mesic woodsSpruce Flats Bog Natural Area, Westmoreland County
At a little above 2700 feet (924 m) asl and 28 acres (11.2 ha) in area, the Bog resembles those found in glaciated areas. However; there were no glaciers here; and it occurs in a natural depression in the almost flat lying bedrock. Misnamed, it was formerly the site of a virgin Hemlock forest that was clearcut, This was followed by fires that burned away the organic matter of the forest floor (PA DCNR Web Site). This resulted in elevating the water table (see our section on Allegheny wetlands; see also photos from Screaming Hawk's Web Site).
Source Walk: 7-4-05
Canopy trees:
Black Birch (Betula lenta) -seedlings and small saplings
Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) -a few seedlings and small saplings
Canada Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) -seedlings and small saplings
Tamarack (Larix laricina )-several on hummocks and in the border zone
serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea or A. laevis) -seedlings and small saplings on hummocks and in the border zone
Atlantic White Cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) -scattered in one area on hummocks and in the border zone: to 25 feet (7.5 m) in height (introduced?)
Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra) -seedlings and small saplings on hummocks
White Pine (Pinus strobus) -many small trees in coves and seedlings and saplings on hummocks
Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica) -frequent as seedlings and saplings
Red Maple (Acer rubrum) -seedlings and saplings on hummocks and in the border
Pitch Pine (Pinus rigida) -dwarfed plants and seedlings in the border and woodsShrubs:
Red Chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia) -frequent
Large Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) -common
Early Low Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) -frequent
Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata var verticillata )-frequent as shrubs and seedlings
Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) -in woods and border areas and as seedlings and small shrubs on hummocks
Wild Raisin (Viburnum nudum var cassinoides) -infrequent as shrubs in border zone
Black Huckleberry (Gaylussacia baccata) -in border zone and on hummocks
Semi-shrub:
Teaberry (Gaultheria procumbens) -infrequent on hummocks
Woody vines:
Common Greenbrier (Smilax rotundifolia) -on hummocks
Ground Berry (Rubus hispidus) -common
Herbs:
Cinnamon Fern (Osmunda cinnamomea) -on hummocks throughout
Bracken Fern (Pteridium aquilinum) -in border zone and on hummocks
unidentified rush (Juncus sp.) -
unidentified marsh St. johns Wort (Triadenum sp.) - (flower needed for id.)
Sundew (Drosera rotundifolia) -abundant on mosses and wet hummocks
Carex canescens-frequent
Carex trisperma-frequent
Carex folliculata-locally abundant near the woods, but not extending into the Bog much
Carex gynandra-a few in open border zone
Carex scoparia-a few plants on border
Kill Cow (Eleocharis tenuis) -infrequent in the border zone
Tawny Cotton Sedge (Eriophorum virginicum) -frequent throughout except in shade
a manna grass (Glyceria x laxa) -infrequent in the border zone
Three-way Sedge (Dulichium arudinaceum) -locally abundant in areas near the border
White Beaked Rush (Rhynchspora alba) -common
Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia purpurea) -frequent in some areas ( introduced?)
Tree Clubmoss (Lycopodiumn obscurum) -frequent in some areas, chiefly under trees and shrubs in the border
Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) -infrequent near woodsMosses:
Species of peat moss ( Sphagnum) and haircap moss (Polytrichum) were dominant ground cover in many places and formed many hummocks (see later)
Source Walk: 8-6-05
Trees:
Red Spruce (Picea rubens) -seedlings and small saplings on hummocks, in open bog and ecotone
Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica) -frequent as seedlings to small trees on hummocks and ecotone
Red Pine (Pinus resinosa) -seedlings and saplings on hummocks
Herbs:
White Beaked Rush (Rhynchospora alba )-dominant plant in open bog
Juncus subcaudatus-frequent to common in some areas, but mostly in ecotone
Three-way Sedge (Dulichium arundinaceum) -abundant in some areas
Marsh St. Johns-wort ( Triadenum virginicum) -infrequent in open bog and ecotone
Skunk Cabbage ( Symplocarpus foetidu) -about 25 plants in a small area
Tree Clubmoss (Lycopodium obscurum) -local in ecotone
Kill Cow (Eleocharis tenuis )-locally several in ecotone and open bog
Rice Cutgrass (Leersia oryzoides) -infrequent in ecotone
Small-flowered St. Johns-wort (Hypericum mutilum) -infrequent in ecotone
Calamagrostis cinnoides-infrequent in ecotone
Common Rush (Juncus effusus )-in open bog, on hummocks and in ecotone
Bugleweed (Lycopus virginicus) -infrequent in ecotone
Bracken Fern (Pteridium aquilinum) -infrequent in ecotoneMosses (Crum and Anderson, 1981):
Eurhynchium hians- on moist soil in shaded ecotone, under White Pine, Black Gum, Red Pine saplings, Winterberry Holly and Black Huckleberry
Dicranella heteromalla-on soil on shaded hummocks
Polytrichum commune var commune-frequent on dry soil and humus of hummocks and ecotone
Leucobryum albidum-on dry soil and humus of hummocks and ecotone under White Pine, Black Gum, Red Maple saplings, Aronia arbutifolia var arbutifolia and Black Huckleberry
Calypogeia muelleriana-on soil of hummocks under trees (see Lecobryum)
Hypnum imponens-on rotting wood and soil of hummocks and border areas
Ulota crispa-on trunks of Black Gum and White Pine of hummocks and ecotone
Sphagnum cuspidatum var cuspidatum-submerged and emergent in spring
Sphagnum capillifolium var tenellum-on hummocks; colors: pinkish, reddish, some pink-green, some red-green
Sphagnum capillifolium var capillifolium-on hummocksFungi (general references: Phillips,1991; Kuo,2002) :
Galerina sp-infrequent in Sphagnum
Entoloma sp (Nolanea) -several in Sphagnum
Suillus pictus-infrequent on hummocks
The Bog and vicinity are also habitat, including possible nesting, for a variety of northern birds, among which are Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus ), Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (Empidonax flaviventris ) and many others (Screaming Hawk's Web Site).
Source Walks in the period 9-25-05 to 9-28-05
Shrub:
High-bush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) -infrequent in ecotone
Herb:
Canada Rush (Juncus canadensis) -a few plants in open ecotone
Roaring Run Natural Area, Westmoreland County
The general aspect of this area, on the west slope of Laurel Ridge, is west- northwest Birch Rock Hill at 2934 feet asl and Painter Rock Hill at 2920 feet asl are the highest points. The Run drops 1220 feet in about five miles to its confluence with Indian Creek (Screaming Hawk's Web Site). The forest here is second and third growth and is of mixed mesophyte character.
Source Walks: 7-1-05, 7-2-05 and 7-3-05
Canopy trees:
Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra) -common
Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) -trees and seedlings in some places
American Beech (Fagus grandifolia) -frequent to few, some large trees wit evidence of disease
Black Birch (Betula lenta) -frequent
Yellow Birch (Betula alleghaniensis) -infrequent along Roaring Run Trail
Red Maple (Acer rubrum) -common
Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) -common
White Ash (Fraxinus americana )-scattered, but concentrated along and near the stream
American Basswood (Tilia americana) -scattered to frequent
Mockernut Hickory (Carya tomentosa) -infrequent on upper slopes
Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata) -infrequent on upper slopes
Tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera) -a few seedlings seen along upper Roaring Run
Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica) -scattered to frequent
Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) -common
Cucumbertree (Magnolia acuminata) -frequent
Chestnut Oak (Quercus prinus) -one tree seen; also a few seedlings
White Oak (Quercus alba) -infrequent as seedlings and a few trees on upper slopesSmall and understory trees:
Dotted Thorn (Crataegus punctata) -frequent
a hawthorn (Crataegus flabellata) -frequent
Alternate-leaf Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia )-occasional as seedlings and small trees
Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra) -infrequent in open on well-drained upper slopes
Common Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) -frequent in the understory
Smooth Serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis )-occasional
Striped Maple (Acer pensylvanicum )-common
Mountain Maple (Acer spicatum) -mostly in Roaring Run canyon
Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) -infrequent as trees: several seedlings in open with hawthornShrubs:
Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) -frequent and up to tree size
Smooth Gooseberry (Ribes rotundifolium) -infrequent except in very rocky woods
Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) -locally several
Mountain Holly (Ilex montana) -frequent
Upland Low Blueberry (Vaccinium pallidum) -frequent locally in rocky woods
Red Elderberry (Sambucus pubens) -occasional
Black Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) -infrequent on open upper slopes and roadsides
Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) -occasional
Allegheny Blackberry (Rubus allegheniensis) -frequent in sunny openings
Pennsylvania Blackberry (Rubus pensilvanicus) -frequent in sunny openings
Black Raspberry (Rubus occidentalis) -locally abundant
Bush Honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera) -infrequent in open mesic woodsSemi-shrubs:
Partridge Berry (Mitchella repens )-locally common, but seems absent from areas dominated by ferns and Laurel
Woody vines:
Common Greenbrier (Smilax rotundifolia) -frequent
Hispid Greenbrier (Smilax hispidus) -frequent
Catbrier (Smilax glauca) -frequent
Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) -generally frequent
Ground Berry (Rubus hispidus )-frequent
Northern Dewberry (Rubus flagellaris) -infrequent
Herbs:
Common Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) -local in open moist areas
Common Clubmoss (Lycopodium clavatum)
Shining Clubmoss (Lycopodium lucidulum)
Tree Clubmoss (Lycopodium obscurum)
Stiff Clubmoss (Lycopodium annotinum)
Ground Pine (Lycopodium flabelliforme)
Note: club mosses were merely recorded as present.
Cinnamon Fern (Osmunda cinnamomea) -abundant
Interrupted Fern (Osmunda claytoniana) -common
Intermediate Shield Fern (Dryopteris intermedia) -common
New York Fern (Thelypteris noveboracensis) -abundant
Broad Beech Fern (Thelypteris hexagonoptera) -infrequent
Hay-scented Fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula) -common
Silvery Athyrium (Athyrium thelypteroides) -occasional
Rattlesnake Fern (Botrichium virginianum) -infrequent
Sensitive Fern (Onoclea sensibilis) -several in open, wet areas
Southern Lady Fern (Athyrium asplenioides) -occasional
Christmas Fern ( Polystichum acrostichoides) -frequent or locally numerous in Roaring Run ravine
Carex aestivalis- present
Carex scabrata-colonies in wet soil along stream
Carex lurida-occasional in open wet areas
Carex baileyi-occasional in open moist areas
Carex communis-occasional in open woods of upper slopes
Carex digitalis-occasional
Carex laxiflora-frequent in some habitats
Carex appalachica-frequent
Carex virescens-occasional
Carex debilis-common in a variety of habitats
Carex swanii-infrequent
Carex prasina-infrequent
Carex gracilescens-locally several
Carex normalis-infrequent
Carex scoparia-frequent in wet ditches and like
Carex laxiculmis-infrequent
Carex radiata
Carex amphibola
Nodding Fescue (Festuca obtusa) -frequent in some places
Red Fescue (Festuca rubra) -along trails
Broad-leaf Panic Grass (Panicum latifolium) -frequent
Deer-tongue Grass (Panicum clandestinum) -frequent
White-haired Panic Grass (Panicum villosissimum) -infrequent
Nimblewill (Muhlenbergia schreberi) -a few plants at old camp sites
Wirestem Muhly (Muhlenbergia frondosa) -along roads
Fowl Mannagrass (Glyceria striata) -frequent in moist areas
Slender Mannagrass (Glyceria melicaria) - along Roaring Run Trail
Grove Bluegrass (Poa alsodes) -frequent
Bearded Shorthusk (Brachyelytrum erectum) -common in forest
Mountain Oatgrass (Danthonia compressa) -common
Whitegrass (Leersia virginica) -common in moist and wet areas
Autumn Bent grass (Agrostis perennans) -occasional in mesic and moist areas
Reed Canary Grass (Phalaris arundinacea) -in low open wet areas
Downy Many Knees (Polygonatum pubescens) -infrequent
Painted Trillium ( Trillium undulatum) -frequent
Wake Robin (Trillium erectum) -occasional
Twisted Stalk (Streptopus roseus) -infrequent in ravine
White Hellebore (Veratrum viride) -several plants were noted in the ravine near Roaring Run
unidentified clintonia (Clintonia sp)
Indian Cucumber Root ( Medeola virginiana )-frequent
Carrion Flower (Smilax herbacea) -frequent in many openings
Turk's Cap Lily (Lilium supurbum ) -common
Straw Lily (Uvularia sessilifolia) -common in several habitats
Mealy Bellwort (Uvularia perfoliata) -infrequent in mesic woods
Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium angustifoium) -infrequent
Common Rush (Juncus effusus) -local in wet openings
Trail Rush (Juncus tenuis) -along and in trails and old logging road
Wood Rush (Luzula acuminata) -infrequent
Tall Agrimony (Agrimonia gryposepala) -occasional in open moist to wet areas
White Avens (Geum canadense) -locally frequent
Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) -occasional in open upper areas
Pallid Jewelweed (Impatiens pallida) -abundant in moist areas
Spotter Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) -abundant in wet areas
Hairy Sweet Cicely (Osmorhiza claytoni) -frequent in some places
Spreading Dogbane (Apocynum androsaemifolium) -in old field site
Hog Peanut (Amphicarpa bracteata) -open, moist woods
Woodland Strawberry (Fragaria vesca) -frequent in open, sunny, well-drained places
Virginia Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) -occasional in openings
Poke Milkweed (Asclepias exaltata )-old pastures and home sites
Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) -full sun, along roads and in old fields
Virgin's Bower (Clematis virginiana) -occasional
Enchanter's Nightshade (Circaea quadrisulcata) -scattered in openings
Alpine Enchanter's Nightshade (Circaea alpina) -in moist, humic soils
Common Sundrops (Oenothera tetragona) -locally several, upland slopes, full sun
Oswego Tea (Monarda didyma) -frequent in partial shade and openings in moist places
Starry Campion (Silene stellata) -infrequent
Sweet White Violet (Viola blanda) -frequent to abundant
Halberd-leaf Yellow Violet (Viola hastata) -frequent
Downy Yellow Violet (Viola pubescens) -occasional in mesic woods
Round-leaf Violet (Viola rotundifolia) -frequent
Downy Wood Violet (Viola sororia) -frequent in open moist to wet areas
Early Meadowrue (Thalioctrum dioicum) -infrequent in ravine
Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum) -infrequent in ravine
Filmy Angelica (Angelica triquinata) -infrequent except in Roaring Run ravine
White Wood Sorrel (Oxalis montana) -frequent in ravine
Upright Yellow Wood Sorrel (Oxalis stricta) -frequent in moist openings
Lettuce Saxifrage (Saxifraga micranthidifolia) -several in seep along stream
Turtlehead (Chelone glabra) -occasional in open wet areas
Two-leaved Toothwort (Dentaria diphylla) -infrequent in ravine
Cow Parsnip (Heracleum maximum) -a few along road
Elliptic-leaf St. Johns Wort (Hypericum ellipticum) -a few along stream in opening
Dotted St. Johns Wort (Hypericum punctatum) -frequent in moist openings
Foam Flower (Tiarella cordifolia) -several plants along Roaring Run
May Apple (Podophyllum peltatum) -scattered to colonial in places
Great Chickweed (Stellaria pubera) -common
Poke (Phytolacca americana) -infrequent
Mountain Bindweed (Polygonum cilinode) -occasional
Virginia Knotweed (Polgonum viginianum) -frequent in open moist areas
Arrow-leaf Tearthumb (Polygonum sagittatum) -occasional in open moist or wet areas
Wood Nettle (Laportea canadensis) -frequent in moist woods
Creeping Five-leaf (Potentilla simplex) -frequent in open woods and ruderal areas
Hooked Crowfoot (Ranunculus recurvatus) -infrequent
Kidney-leaf Crowfoot (Ranunculus abortivus) -occurs along old logging road
Sweet-scented Bedstraw (Galium triflorum) -frequent
Honewort (Cryptotaenia canadensis) -frequent in open moist sites
Whorled Loosestrife (Lysimachia quadrifolia) -frequent in openings
Wood Anemone (Anemone quinqefolia) -frequent
Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) -frequent in moist woods
Four-leaved Yam (Dioscorea quaternata) -occasional
Indian Turnip (Arisaema triphyllum) -occasional
Wild Sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis) -frequent
American Water-pennywort (Hydrocotyle americana) -infrequent in moist to wet areas
Pennsylvania Bitter Cress (Cardamine pensylvanica) -infrequent in wet soil and seeps
Water Hoarhound (Lycopus americanus) -infrequent in wet soil
Clearweed (Pilea pumila) -in moist to wet places
Purple-leaved Willow Herb (Epilobium coloratum) -in moist to wet openings
Indian Tobacco (Lobelia inflata )-occurs along old logging road
Golden Saxifrage (Chrysosplenium americanum) -infrequent in seeps and on wet ground
Common Joe-pye Weed (Eupatorium fistulosum) -infrequent
Wide-leaved Joe-pye Weed (Eupatorium purpureum) -frequent
Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) -infrequent
White Snakeroot (Eupatorium rugosum )-common
Thin-leaved Sunflower (Helianthus decapetalus) -local along road
Daisy Fleabane (Erigeron annuus) -frequent in open well-drained places
Calico Aster (Aster lateriflorus) -frequent
Bigleaf Aster (Aster macrophyllus) -forming colonies in well-drained openings
Mountain Aster (Aster acuminatus) -frequent in some areas
Lance-leaved Aster ( Aster lanceolatus / A. simplex )-abundant in wet openings and partial shade
Crooked-stem Aster (Aster prenanthoides )-several in wet open places
White Wood Aster (Aster divaricatus) -frequent in some woods
Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) -along roads, old fields in full sun
Wreath Goldenrod (Solidago caesia )-frequent in mesic woods
Wrinkle-leaf Goldenrod (Solidago rugosa) -common in open moist places
Cut-leaf Goldenrod (Solidago arguta var arguta) -present
Grass-leaved Goldenrod (Euthamia graminifolia) -frequent in open moist areas
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) -ruderal, frequent in sunny places
Ox-eye (Heliopsis helianthoides) -infrequent along road
unidentified thistle (Cirsium sp) -present
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) -open woods, old fieldsSource Walks: 8-7-05 and 8-8-05
A) Along Roaring Run stream, on terraces and lower slopes-where the greatest diversity is found
Trees, shrubs and woody vines:
Yellow Birch ( Betula alleghaniensis) -occasional
Canada Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis )-infrequent and local
Big-leaf Aspen (Populus grandidentata) -infrequent
Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia )-scattered occurrence
Alternate-leaf Dogwood ( Cornus alternifolia )-occasional
Oil Nut (Pyrularia pubera) -infrequent
Hobblebush (Viburnum alnifolium) -frequent
Flowering Raspberry ( Rubus odoratus )-infrequent
Thornless Blackberry (Rubus canadensis )-frequent
Spice Bush (Lindera benzoin )-infrequent
Smilax bona-nox-occasional
Summer Grape ( Vitis aestivalis ) -infrequent
Herbs:
Cut-leaf Grape Fern (Botrychium dissectum )-infrequent
Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides )-occasional
Rock Fern (Polypodium virginianum )-frequent on boulders
Hairy Disporum ( Disporum lanuginosum) -frequent
Bugleweed ( Lycopus virginicus) -frequent
Horse Balm (Collinsonia canadensis) -occasional
Thalictrum pubescens-occasional
Arrow-leaf Tearthumb (Polygonum saggitatum) -occasional
Wood Rush (Luzula acuminata ) -occasional
Shining Clubmoss (Lycopodium lucidulum) -locally abundant
Ground Pine ( Lycopodium flabelliforme )-locally abundant
Tree Clubmoss (Lycopodium obscurum) -locally abundant
Twisted Stalk (Streptopus roseus) -frequent
Round-leaf Violet ( Viola rotundifolia) -frequent
White Hellebore (Veratrum viride )-locally several plants
Common Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) -locally several
Riparian Wild Rye ( Elymus riparius) -infrequent
Yellow Clintonia (Clintonia borealis) -frequent with blue fruit
Foam Flower (Tiarella cordifolia )-common
Crooked-stem Aster ( Aster prenanthoides )-occasional
Golden Saxifrage (Chrysosplenium americanum )-occasional
Turtlehead ( Chelone glabra) -occasional
Two-leaved Toothwort (Dentaria diphylla )-occasional
Halberd-leaved Violet (Viola hastata) -occasional
Broad-leaved Waterleaf ( Hydrophyllum canadense )-infrequent
Ramp (Allium tricoccum )-infrequent
White Grass ( Leersia virginica )-occasional
Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) -occasional
Lettuce Saxifrage ( Saxifraga micranthidifolia )-infrequent to locally abundant
Tall White Lettuce ( Prenanthes altissima) -frequent
Indian Pipe (Monotropa uniflora) -infrequent
Turk's Cap Lily (Lilium superbum )-infrequent
Unid, beggar-ticks (Bidens spp) -occasional and not in flower
Carex scabrata-infrequent clonies in moist to wet areas
Filmt Angelica ( Angelica triquinata) -occasional
B) Midslope to upland / ridge, meadows, road and trail sides, woods
Trees, Shrubs and woody vines:
Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia )-frequent
Alternate-leaf Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia) -occasional
American Chestnut (Castanea dentata) -infrequent
Silky Cornel (Cornus amomum) -infrequent
Roughish Arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum var lucidulum) -infrequent
Smilax bona-nox-frequent
Saw Brier (Smilax glauca )-frequent
Common Greenbrier (Smilax rotundifolia) -infrequent
Herbs:
Broad Beech Fern ( Thelypteris hexagonoptera) -infrequent and local
Tree Clubmoss (Lycopodium obscurum) -locally several
Ground Pine (Lycopodium flabelliforme) -locally several
Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga canadensis) -occasional
Scirpus atrovirens-frequent
Starry Campion (Silene stellata )-scattered occurrence
Virgin's Bower (Clematis virginiana )-occasional
Water Horehound (Lycopus americanus) -locally several
Bugleweed (Lycopus virginicus) -locally several
Virginia Knotweed ( Polygonum virginianum) -frequent
Basil Balm (Monarda clinopodia) -locally several
Wild Sarsaparilla ( Aralia nudicaulis )-scattered colonies
Cow Parsnip (Heracleum maximum )-infrequent
Water Hemlock (Cicuta maculata )-infrequent
Indian Pipe (Monotropa uniflora) -infrequent
Common Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis )-frequent
Horse Balm (Collinsonia canadensis) -occasional
Wirestem Muhly (Muhlenbergia frondosa) -scattered occurrence
Poke Milkweed ( Asclepias exaltata )-infrequent
Tall Meadowrue (Thalictrum pubescens )-occasional
unid. gentians (Gentiana spp) -scattered and groups of several; not in flower
a wood rush (Luzula acuminata ) -infrequent
Creeping Five-leaf (Potentilla simplex) -frequent
White Heath Aster (Aster pilosus) -frequent
Crooked-stem Aster (Aster prenanthoides) -frequent
White Wood Aster (Aster divaricatus) -frequent
Panicled Aster (Aster simplex) -common locally
Calico Aster (Aster lateriflorus) -frequent
Purple-stem Aster (Aster puniceus )-infrequent
Old Field Goldenrod ( Solidago nemoralis) -occasional
Early Goldenrod (Solidago juncea )-common
Grass-leaved Goldenrod ( Euthamia graminifolia )-frequent
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) -frequents
Thin-leaved Sunflower (Helianthus decapetalus) -in scattered colonies
Wide-leaved Joe-pye Weed ( Eupatorium purpureum) -frequent
Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum ) -infrequent
Panicled Hawkweed (Hieracium paniculatum) -occasional
Wild Lettuce (Lactuca canadensis) -frequent
Tall White Lettuce (Prenanthes altissima) -frequents
Pasture Thistle (Cirsium pumilum )-infrequent
Hairy Disporum (Disporum lanuginosum) -frequent
Turk's Cap Lily ( Lilium superbum) -scattered to locally several
Beech is common in many areas, but there is almost no Beech Drops (Epifagus virginiana ).
In the coves and ravines along Roaring Run Stream the following:
Principal trees:
Sugar Maple, Northern Red Oak, White Ash, Beech, American Basswood (Tilia americana var american), Tuliptree, Black Cherry, Cucumbertree and some Red Maple, Yellow Birch, Hemlock and Black Locust
Principal shrubs and small trees:
Mountain Maple, Striped Maple, Witch Hazel, Wild Hydrangea, Black Elderberry, Sugar Maple, Beech, some Spice Bush and Oil Nut
Fungi (general references: Phillips,1991; Kuo,2002):
Amanita flavoconia-poisonous; under hardwoods
Amanita rubescens-("The Blusher");under pines and hardwoods
Amanita vaginata-mycorrhizal
Amanita muscaria var formosa-mycorrhizal with hardwoods and conifers
Amanita virosa-("Destroying Angel") poisonous
Boletus affinus-mycorrhizal with hardwoods
Boletus badiu-likely mycorrhizal, under Hemlock, other conifers and in beech-maple woods
Boletus parasiticus-parasitic on "Earth Ball" ( Scleroderma citrinum )
Polyporus elegans-saprophytic on dead wood
Trametes versicolor- ("Turkey Tail')
Schizophyllum commune-saprophytic on dead wood
Trichaptum biformis-saprophytic on dead wood
Tricholomopsis platyphylla-("Platterful" mushroom), saprophytic on dead wood
Pleurotus ostreatus-("Oyster Mushroon"); saprophytic on dead wood, primarily hardwoods
Xeromphalina campanella-saprophytic on dead wood of conifers
Ganoderma applantum- ("Artists' Conk")
Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca
Climacodon septentrionalis-parasitic on maples and beech
Scleroderma citrinum-mycorrhizal; poisonous
Russula virescens-mycorrhizal with hardwoods
Russula xerampelina-mycorrhizal with conifers
Russula compacta-mycorrhizal with hardwoods
Tubaria confragosa
Cantharellus cibarius
Crepidotus applanatus-saprophytic on hardwoods
Rickenella fibula- in mutualism with mosses
Clitocybe gibba- saprophytic under hardwoods
Daedaleopsis confragosa
an unidentified Coprinus (Coprinus sp)
Fomes fomentarius- ("Hoof Fungus") ; parasitic, especially on birch
Xerula furfuacea-taproot into ground, south to West Va.
Tyromyces caesius
Collybia dryophila-gregarious under oaks
Collybia confluens
Laetiporus sulfureus- ( "Chicken-of-the-Woods")
Bondarzewia berkeleyi-parasitic on oak and chestnut
Gyrodon merulioides (Ash Bolete)
Gyroporus castaneus-mycorrhizal with hardwoods and conifers
Panellus stipticus-on organic debris
Marasmius siccus-often in moss
Phylloporus rhodoxanthus- ("Gilled Bolete")
Hypomyces hyalinus (parasitic on Amanita )
Hypomyces luteovirens (parasitic on Russula)
Strobilomyces floccopus- ("Old Man of the Woods")
Lactarius ligniotus-on ground among mosses in conifer woods and sphagnum bogs
Lactarius peckiiAlso noted (8-7-05 and 8-8-05) were the following butterflies:
Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax)
Pearl Crescent (Phycioides tharos)
Spicebush Swallowtail ( Papilio troilus)
Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus )
Atlantis Fritillary (Speyeria atlantis) -markedly northern distribution (Struttmann and Opler,2005)
Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele )
Source Walks: in the period 9-25-05 to 9-28-05
Trees, shrubs and woody vines:
Silky Willow ( Salix sericea) - a single clump along rocky stream border
an unidentified hawthorn (Crataegus sp) -a few plants, without fruits, above stream
Herbs:
Cutleaf Grapefern (Botrychium dissectum) -a single plant in mid-slope woods
Canada Brome Grass (Bromus purgans )-a few plants in open mid-slope woods
Panicum acuminatum var fascicular-occasional in open upland
Round-fruited Panic Grass (Panicum sphaerocarpon) -infrequent in upland fields
Little Bluestem (Andropogon scoparius) -occasional in upland fields and borders
White Grass (Leersia virginica) -occasional in wet areas along roads
Calingale ( Cyperus strigosus ) -infrequent in moist open meadow
Scirpus atrovirens-a few plants in wet depression in a field
a spikerush (Eleocharus obtusa )-a single tuft in a wet depression on a woods road
Juncus acuminatus-infrequent in wet depression in upland meadow
Juncus dudleyi-infrequent in upland field
Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium )-infrequent in upland meadow
Nodding Ladies Tresses ( Spiranthes cernua) -two or three plants in upland field
a cress ( Arabis sp) -rare in dry upland woods, without fruit
Pennsylvania Bittercress ( Cardamine pensylvanica) -infrequent in wet, seepy, open woods
Hispid Buttercup ( Ranunculus hispidus) -infrequent in open woods
American Alumroot (Heuchera americana) -a single plant in rocky, mesic mid-slope woods
Woodland Strawberry (Fragaria vesca) -infrequent along road in upland
Creeping Five-leaf (Potentilla simplex )-occasional in fields and meadows
Soft Agrimony (Agrimonia pubescens) -infrequent in dryish upland woods
a St. Johns Wort (Hypericum canadense ?) -in a wet area in open mid-slope woods
Desmodium paniculatum-infrequent at edge of woods in open upland
Desmodium rotundifolium-infrequent in dry upland woods
Desmodium nudiflorum-infrequent in rich mid-slope woods
Heart-leaved Skullcap (Scutellaria ovata) -infrequent in upland meadow
False Pimpernel (Lindernia dubia) -a few plants in a wet depression on a logging road
Common Monkeyflower (Mimulus ringens) -a few plants in a moist upland meadow
Wild Licorice (Galium circaezans) -infrequent in mid-slope woods
unidentified violet (Viola sp) -stemless blue infrequent in open moist woods
Green Violet (Hybanthus concolor) -rare in moist open woods of a ravine
Indian Pipe (Monotropa uniflora ) -infrequent in woods
Bottle Gentian (Gentiana andrewsii )-about a dozen plants in a field bordering open woods
unidentified azalea ( Rhododendron sp) (R. calendulaceum?) -seedlings in dry rocky woods
Ox-eye ( Heliopsis helianthoides ) -occasional in open upland along roads
Bidens discoidea-infrequent in moist upland openings along roads
Bidens frondosa-infrequent in wet depressions along roads
Woodland Sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus )-infrequent in upland field border
Wrinkle-leaf Goldenrod (Solidago rugosa) -frequent in fields and meadows
Cut-leaf Goldenrod (Solidago arguta var arguta) -frequent in upland fields and meadows
Slender Goldenrod (Solidago erecta) -infrequent in dry open upland
Hispid Goldenrod ( Solidago hispida) -infrequent in dry roadsides
Old Field Goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis )-occasional in dry upland fields and roadsides
Aster simplex-frequent in open wet ditches and low ground
Calico Aster (Aster lateriflorus )-frequent along roads
Crooked-stem Aster (Aster prenanthoides )-occasional in wet roadside ditches
Purple-stem Aster (Aster puniceus )-infrequent in wet open woods
Arrow-leaved Aster (Aster sagittifolius) -infrequent in open upland woods
Blue Wood Aster (Aster cordifolius )-occasional in openings and fields
White Wood Aster (Aster divaricatus )-frequent in mesic woods
Gay Feathers ( Liatris spicata ) -infrequent in upland woods and moist meadows
Golden Ragwort ( Senecio aureus) -occasional in wet areas
White Snakeroot (Eupatorium rugosum )-frequent in upland moist borders, fields and meadows
Upland Boneset (Eupatorium sessilifolium )-infrequent in upland woods bordes and along roadsMosses:
Anomodon attenuatus
Anomodon rostratus
Atrichum angustatum
Atrichum undulatum
Aulocomnium heterostichum
Bartramia pomiformis
Brotherella recurvans
Bryoandersonia illecebra
Bryum argenteum
Ceratodon purpureus
Climacium americanum
Dicranella heteromalla
Dicranum flagellare
Dicranum scoparium
Entodon seductrix
Haplohymenium triste
Hedwigia ciliata
Isopterygium elegans
Leucobryum glaucum
Leucodon julaceus
Mnium affine
Mnium cuspidatum
Myurella sibirica
Platygyrium repens
Pogonatum pensilvanicum
Polytrichum piliferum
Rhynchostegium serrulatum
Thuidium delicatulum
Ulota crispa
Conclusions
The floras exhibited by these three areas are in close agreement with those deduced from the compilations of Rhoads and Klein (1993). While dominated by wide-ranging temperate species, they include a generous boreal component, and virtually lack marked southerners. It is informative to compare these floras with those of the Carter and Cascade Caves area of Kentucky (see our section on this area), which are much more markedly southern but contain a few highly disjunct northerners. A feature of the flora that stands out, and which may be a legacy of events such as forest fires as well as abundant moisture, is the prevalence of ferns in the forest herb layer, particularly on the Mount Davis slopes (see photo also).
Shelter Rock.
Wildcat Spring.
Tub Mill Trail.(Photos from localhikes.com)
References
Berg, T. M.,W. E. Edmunds, A. R. Geyer, A. D. Glover, D. M. Haskins, B. Maclachlan, S. I. Root, W. D. Sevon and A. A. Socolow (compilers) C. E. Miles, editor, J. G. Kuchinski, cartographer (1980) Geologic Map of Pennsylvania. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Environmental Resources Bureau of Topography, and Geologic Survey.
Braun, E. Lucy (1950) Deciduous Forests of Eastern North America. Macmillan Publishing Co., New York.
Crum, Howard A. and Lewis E. Anderson (1981) Mosses of Eastern North America. In two volumes Columbia University Press, New York, N.Y.
Kuo, M. (2002) Retrieved from Mushroom Expert.Com Web Site.
Phillips, Roger, (1991) Mushrooms of North America .E.P. Dutton, New York, NY.
Rhoads, Ann Fowler and William Mckinley Klein Jr. (1993) The Vascular Flora of Pennsylvania Annotated Check List and Atlas. American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia, PA.
Struttmann, Jane M. and Paul A. Opler (2005) Butterflies of North America. Northern Prairie Research Center, USGS Web Site.
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