This is an extension to my previous post because Reddit doesn't allow more than 20 pictures to be embedded. As before, all these pictures were taken in or around our hill or the next hill over. Most of these plants, including from part 1, are occurring surprisingly close to each other, though some require a brief hike through the woods.
I guess there will be a part 3 to get to the good stuff.
Smith's sunflower, Helianthus smithiorum
Not the showiest of sunflowers. Similar in appearance to the more common small-head sunflower (Helianthus microcephalus). Rare and limited range. Despite this, not a major conservation concern since they're thriving and spreading quite aggressively, at least locally. If they were invasive, it would be difficult to get rid of them. Also present in the same area is woodland sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus), narrowleaf sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius), and the false sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides). Planning to introduce Appalachian sunflower (Helianthus atrorubens), because it grows along all the roadsides in the immediate area but so far has not been found on the property itself.
American holly, Ilex opaca
Scattered in the understory here and there. Spreading up from the lowlands in the last few decades with mesification and responding poorly to the new fire regime. Plan to protect some individual trees from the fires for aesthetic reasons, but mostly these having been invading into habitat that should be savanna. Incredible pollinator activity when in full bloom. The tree pictured above is male, so does not bear red berries through winter. The deciduous winterberry holly (Ilex verticillata) can be found hugging the streambanks at the bottom of the hill, and there are a few introduced yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria) rescued from a local wild population that was due to be paved over.
Wavyleaf noseburn, Tragia urens
This is one of those curious little weeds that is best inspected with magnification to see their strange reproductive structures. It would not ordinarily be much of conservation concern, except this small population is signficantly disjunct from its ordinary range. Hopefully, efforts to promote the savanna habitat will help it spread. Other odd miscellaneous weeds in the area include slender copperleaf (Acalypha gracilens), blue toadflax (Linaria canadensis), yellow stargrass (Hypoxis hirsuta), Carolina crane's-bill (Geranium carolinianum), rustweed (Polypremum procumbens), Virginia plantain (Plantago virginica), pencil-flower (Stylosanthes biflora), and many more.
Long-stalked aster, Symphyotrichum dumosum
One of several somewhat weedy but not unwelcome American asters here along with white oldfield aster (Symphyotrichum pilosum), small white aster (Symphyotrichum racemosum), wavyleaf aster (Symphyotrichum undulatum), clasping aster (Symphyotrichum patens), and silvery aster (Symphyotrichum concolor). The silvery aster is relatively few in number and will be targeted for assistance, but the others can take care of themselves. Introduced the showier Georgia aster (Symphyotrichum georgiananum) and Short's aster (Symphyotrichum shortii), both procured from local populations and integrating well. Also have a source on nearby flax-leaved aster (Ionactis linariifolia) to harvest seeds from this year.
Rusty grape, Vitis rufotomentosa
The ID here is somewhat speculative. This vine keys straight to rusty grape, but if so then its range is poorly documented, this population is significantly disjunct, or it's an undescribed species. It is well-known that the Vitis genus is in need of research and revision. For mere scientific curiosity, this is one to be preserved and encouraged where possible. Also present is possum grape (Vitis baileyana) and muscadine (Muscadania rotundifolia). The latter is somewhat of a menace. Without the grazing pressue of historic megafauna and regular fire, muscadine spreads unchecked and becomes an obstacle to habitat restoration. It's a good thing for muscadine that it's so tasty. Also recently rescued a single plant of the grape look-a-like heartleaf peppervine (Ampelopsis cordata), a native counterpart to the invasive porcelain berry (Ampelopsis glandulosa).
Pale hickory, Carya pallida
Also known as sand hickory, but here it grows in dry rocky clay soils. The undersides of the leaves are distinctly pale and glandular. This is perhaps the least common hickory on the land but also has the tastiest nuts, so it's to be favored where possible. In the same areas, there are mockernut hickory (Carya tomentosa), pignut hickory (Carya glabra), and red hickory (Carya ovalis). There are also some old black walnut (Juglans nigra) trees, possibly introduced over a century ago near an old homestead of which only a chimney stack remains. For eating these tough nuts, I highly recommend Grandpa's goody getter.
Eastern pinesap, Monotropa hypopitys
Eastern pinesap will soon be moved in to the genus Hypopitys, and then split into multiple distinct species, but it doesn't have a unique name yet. Pinesap is a mycoheterotroph, parasiting upon the fungi that live in the soils beneath pine trees, and so it's completely without chlorophyll. Only the flowering structures emerge above ground for a short time each year. Elusive and enigmatic., Hopefully it will thrive with the new management plans we have for the habitat, but I honestly don't know. Another similar-looking parasitic plant on the land is beechdrops (Epifagus virginiana) that leeches its nutrients from the roots of American beech (Fagus grandifolia).
Indian-pink, Spigelia marilandica "Candy Cane"
Scattered throughout the semi-shady woodlands here are these unusual Indian-pinks. They are unique to the region. Petals are pinker on the outside and whiter on the inside, exposing the red nectar guide stripes. There is currently no accepted taxomonic treatment of these "Candy Cane" plants and further research is needed. For now they're treated like a cultivar, but they are a stable wild entity and should be recognized as such. Alongside these Indian-pinks there are also other showy spring wild flowers like fire-pink (Silene virginica) and bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis).
Hairy lespedeza, Lespedeza hirta var. hirta
One of several native lesepdeza here that provide vital ecosystem services for many species throughout the year, and they appear to be thriving from recent burns. Others include wand lespedeza (Lespedeza violacea), Virginia lespedeza (Lespedeza virginica), trailing lespedeza (Lespedeza procumbens), and creeping lespedeza (Lespedeza repens). Another similar-looking legume that occurs in the same habitat, but with yellow flowers, is the charming erect snoutbean (Rhynchosia tomentosa). Of major concern is the invasive Chinese lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) which has established itself across the property and continues to spread.
Red mulberry, Morus rubra
Although red mulberry is disappearing in many parts of the United States through hybridization and competition with the invasive white mulberry (Morus alba), that hasn't happened here yet. Despite white mulberry being common in cultivation, it has yet to spread significantly into the wild where red mulberry still predominates. Few mature red mulberries are in the area, but seedlings and saplings are common in the understory. As the canopies are opened, red mulberry will be selectively favored because we could all do with more mulberries to eat.
Wild potato-vine, Ipomoea pandurata
Possibly the showiest of our native morning-glories, and with edible tuberous roots as a bonus. Loves fire and open skies, so it should spread readily with restoration efforts. The native ranges of morning-glories can be somewhat obscure, and there has been controversy about how to categorise them. Based on current regional authorities, other native morning-glories present are scarlet-creeper (Ipomoea coccinea), small white morning-glory (Ipomoea lacunosa), and ivy-leaved morning-glory (Ipomoea hederacea). In addition, we have the showy Catesby's bindweed (Convolvulus catesbyanus), a native short-growing spring vine with large white flowers.
Tallapoosa cane, Arundinaria alabamensis
A recently described species with an unknown range. Tallapoosa cane is most similar to switch cane (Arundinaria tecta) by appearance and has historically been mistaken for such. Fire and canopy clearing should help cane immensely, but most colonies on the property recently flowered and promptly died. It is unknown whether they will return or how well seeds will germinate under these historically unusual conditions. Also rescued some hill cane (Arundinaria appalachiana) from nearby property, but a mole promptly ate the roots and not much survived. It seems to be coming back slowly and hopefully can reestablish.
Pocosin bayberry, Morella caroliniensis
A swamp dwelling evergreen shrub; uncommon outside the Coastal Plain. Only a few plants are present along the creek at the base of the north-slope. Unknown how it will respond to resoration efforts, but would like to preserve if possible. It's not the only swamp dwellig evergreen shrub away from the Coastal Plain, because on the next creek over there is also swamp bay (Tamala plaustris). In addition, rescued a waxmyrtle (Morella cerifera) sapling a couple of years ago and, despite neglect, it has continued to establish and grow on the dry north-slope.
Ridgestem yellow flax, Linum striatum
This is one of those overlooked little forbs that just sort hangs out on the margins without bringing too much attention to itself. Most flax on the property is Virginia yellow flax (Linum virginianum), but hiding out in a couple of sites is this ridgestem yellow flax which appears to prefer wetter habitats.
Indian cucumber-root, Medeola virginiana
Found in shady wet soils around the creeks, this peculiar monocot has edible roots that supposedly do taste like cucumber. I've not tried it myself, and there are too few to want to try. The habitats these plants are in need some work, but they're low down the list of priorities for now.
Ravenel's hawthorn, Crataegus ravenelii
Sometimes ranked as a variety of Alabama hawthorn (Crataegus alabamensis). A relatively large hawthorn, regularly achieving tree-stature. Supposedly the fruit is more palatable than most, but the cedar-rust has prevented tasting. They were getting swallowed in shade by the canopy of nearby trees, but much of that has been cut back now. Also growing wild nearby are littlehip hawthorn (Crataegus spathulata) and forest hawthorn (Crataegus iracunda var. iracunda). In addition, parsley hawthorn (Crataegus marshallii) and one-flower hawthorn (Crataegus uniflorum) have been introduced.
Clasping Venus's-looking-glass, Triodanis perfoliata
A well-known native weed often confused with its close relative southern Venus's- looking-glass (Triodanis biflora). Fortunately, telling them apart is relatively easy here as both tend to occur side-by-side. These plants like disturbance and do well in anthropogenic habitats, so it will be interesting to see what they do as the plant communities around them mature. The unusual common name apparently refers to the big shiny seeds of their European counterparts.
Parasol whitetop, Doellingeria umbellata var. umbellata
For most of the year, parasol whitetop looks like a goldenrod, but then suddenly looks like an American aster. This species is rare this far south but occurs along a couple of the streams and wetlands. Habitat loss is a concern here. May attempt to harvest seeds and establish new populations manually. A similar but diminutive species of upland sites nearby is clumped whitetop aster (Sericocarpus caespitosus).
American groundnut, Apios americana
Supposedly the tuberous roots taste like nuts, but I haven't tried them yet. Only a few plants on the property, and need to open canopy in wetland areas to improve habitat. Other viney legumes in the same habitat include hog-peanut (Amphicarpaea bracteata) and perennial fuzzy bean (Strophostyles umbellata).
Dimpled trout-lily, Erythronium umbillicatum var. umbillicatum
On the other end the property (over the next hill), outside the current management areas, is a lowland forest overrun with dimpled trout-lily in the spring. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of individual plants. The ultimate goal is to incorporate this area into overall restoration plans, but lots of work needs to be done to reach that point.
Still lots of stuff I haven't got to yet, so I guess a part 3.
by reddidendronarboreum