Ontario Field Biology: Holy Smokies Part III

I read an interpretive sign in the park which noted that The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to at least 1600 species of vascular flora including more than 100 native tree species and 100 native shrub species. In fact, new species are being discovered regularly.

I'm getting through the 'post-worthy' file of photos, hope you enjoy this batch.

Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense). The patches in my garden here in Kitchener are just at the point when the furled leaves begin to split open. They were in full bloom in Tennessee last week.

I tried to line the next photo up similar to the first. This is Little Brown Jug (Hexastylis arifolia var ruthii).

Here we have Dutchman's Pipe (Isotrema macrophyllum), host plant of Pipevine Swallowtail butterflies. All three of these plant species belong to the Aristolochiaceae family.

Squirrel Corn (Dicentra canadensis), while Dutchman's Breeches (D. cuccullaria) (with it's more 'pointed' flowers) is also present in the park, I couldn't manage to find one.

The leaves of Wild Yam (Dioscorea villosa) are kind of similar to those of Catbrier (Smilax spp.).

Fan Clubmoss (Diphasiastrum digitatum) otherwise known as Southern Ground Cedar. These were about ankle-height but in prehistoric times clubmosses could reach the size of trees.

Another trip highlight for me, Umbrella Leaf (Diphylleia cymosa).

We caught it in full bloom along the banks of Middle Prong Creek.

This shot makes me laugh, we signed up for a 'strenuous hike' up to Ramsey Cascades, an elevation gain of 2100 feet I think. What was funny was that the hardcore hiking crowd showed up ready for a brisk ascent to the falls and the few of us most interested in botany acted like deadweight at the back of the pack. The great thing was, our trip leaders were more interested in the botany and less so in making good time up to the falls. Here, Roger, Director of the Tennesse Natural Areas division, keys out a violet using Eugene Wofford's Guide to the Vascular Plants of the Blue Ridge - a great resource to have if you're going.

Another funny story, there was much discussion of what we have plant-wise up in Canada that may or may not occur down in the Smokies. Alternate-leaved Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia), for example, seemed to be a notable species for some of the hike participants. Discussion turned to glaciation and how much of Ontario's flora made it's way northward from this area following the glacial retreat. The gentleman in the right of this photo, in his best southern accent (and joking, I hope) exclaimed "And the South will rise agaeen". We all had a laugh [author smiles nervously and loosens shirt collar].

Greg takes a measurement of a large Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera). Much like I do in the field with co-workers, estimates were taken prior to getting a figure. This tree was 159cm DBH (diameter at breast height) and Greg measure it's height to be 43.2m. Greg contributes to the Biota of North America Program (BONAP), a website I've always found quite useful. His main contribution for the project is the Trillium genus. Check it out, a work of art.

Another large Tulip Tree.

Dwaft Crested Iris (Iris cristata) was a pleasant sight at the edge of trails. The blooms last for a day before withering away.

I spotted a few Yellow Morels.

A couple of scenery shots.

One area we visited is home to a bat hibernacula cave. I got to wondering if any of the migratory bats I've recorded for work in Ontario might call this cave home. The presence of White Nose Syndrome has decimated populations of some bat species throughout eastern North America. During my visit to Mammoth Cave in Kentucky participants had to walk over the frothy disinfectant mat following the trip.

Access prohibited.

Cleft Phlox (Phlox bifida).

A hike through some of the nicest habitat I've seen with the sweet smell of phlox in the air, it doesn't get much better.

Creeping Phlox (P. stolonifera). Blue Phlox (P. divaricatus) is also present in the park.

Accidental shot of the ground? No no, this is Appalachian Goldenrod (Solidago curtisii). It appears similar to the glaucous Blue-stemmed Goldenrod (S. caesia) we have here in Ontario. Here is John Semple's range map for the species.

Another new goldenrod, Clustered Goldenrod (Solidago glomerata). I had no idea it had such a restricted range at the time I took this photo, check it out. We spotted a fair number near Newfound Gap in high elevations. It emits a strong odor of marijuana or skunk.

Here is a selection of trilliums (of which the park has a tonne). It was really interesting seeing a handful of new trillium species. This is Bashful Trillium (Trillium catesbaei). Trilliums also go by the name Wake-robin.

Yellow Trillium (T. luteum) are quite common throughout the low elevation forests (at least in those areas free of Rhododendron thickets).

I wasn't able to come to a conclusion on this one. I first thought it was Jeweled Trillium (T. simile), but have since begun to consider the white morph of Red Trillium (T. erectum). Apparently one way to tell them apart is that the petals and sepals of Jeweled tend to be recurved at the tips (versus flat-planed in Red). Also the petals of Jeweled are usually wider than the sepals. I didn't get down and smell it but Jeweled smells sweet and Red smells like a wet dog.

There were lots of beautiful Painted Trillium (T. undulatum).

One of the more revered trillium species in the park, Sweet Trillium (T. vaseyi), redder than Red, these flowers have the maroon colour of Pawpaw blooms.

Perfoliate Bellwort (Uvularia perfoliata), an S1 (very rare) species in Ontario. You can distinguish it from Large-flowered Bellowrt (U. grandiflora) by the bumps on the inside of the petals.

Another bellwort, this one wasn't on my radar, Mountain Bellwort (U. puberla). The first thing that catches your eye is that the flower isn't drooping to the extent that other bellworts tend to.