Plant Species Guide & Trail Highlights
Plant Species Guide & Trail Highlights Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve
Now when I walk these paths, I realize that I am a guest in this forest. It is a privilege to be able to share this exquisite beauty, this lush paradise, with the plants and animals that live here. It is the right thing to protect the land of squirrel and warbler of oak tree and pine. One can tell what is right when a walk is rewarded by a soaring heart and a peaceful mind. Adapted from: How to Create and Nurture a Nature Center In Your Community -- Carolyn Chipman Evans --
August 2004
CONTENTS Acknowledgments ................................................................ i Introduction ......................................................................... ii How to Use the Plant Species Guide ................................. iii Plant Descriptions ............................................................... 1 Quadrant Maps (with plant species locations) ............. 20-23 Trail Highlights ................................................................. 39 Plant Index ................................................................... 43-45 Full Preserve Map .............................................. Back Cover
Acknowledgments This booklet has been a true "labor of love". In the winter of 2002 I asked Becky Estes if she would like to help create a plant species guide for the Preserve. Becky was at that time working for the USDA Forest Service; she is now a Forestry Graduate Student. She immediately said, "yes!" This little booklet would never have taken form if it wasn’t for the many hours and care that Becky spent locating species, writing species’ descriptions, finding pictures and collecting descriptions from other contributors and formatting the first edition. It was great fun exploring the trails (and often off the trails) with Becky. She has a wonderful knowledge of forest flora and her interest and enthusiasm for all wild things is contagious! Another person who put his "all" into this project was John Hogland. John is a Forestry Graduate Student and an officer in the War Eagle Chapter of the Society of American Foresters. Using the Global Positioning System (GPS) and spending many hours at the Preserve and at his computer, he was able to produce an accurate map of the Preserve with the location of each plant. John was also instrumental in coordinating a Boy Scout Troop (#29) to help with placing the markers next to each plant and at the same time teach them how to use a GPS receiver. An organization that also deserves tremendous gratitude is the War Eagle Chapter of the Society of American Foresters. They generously donated 100 of the metal markers and 100 numbered plates that mark the plants described in the booklet. SAF supports projects which help to educate citizens about the contribution that forests make to our environment, our economy and our psychological and emotional well being. A sincere Thank You to Becky, John and the War Eagle Chapter of SAF. A huge "Thanks" also to the species description contributors: Dr. Richard Brinker John Hogland Dr. Michael Golden Becky Estes Margaret Holler Bob Lowe Margaret Holler Coordinator Many illustrations are from: "A Key To Common Trees of Alabama" (ANR-509) with permission from Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M and Auburn Universities). Other illustrations are from the USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown, 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada, Vol.2:698. Wildlife pictures from the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Design and arrangement of this booklet are by Sandy Pouncey. The funding for this booklet was made possible by a generous grant from the ALABAMA FOREST FOREVER FOUNDATION
i
Introduction Welcome to the nature trails of the Forest Ecology Preserve! Many trees, shrubs and vines have been identified with a numbered marker. This Trail Guide provides plant descriptions and often includes some of their lore, historical significance, wildlife use, and economic importance. Due to limited space in this booklet, many of the herbaceous plants, and some others will not be included but they will often be identified by name on markers along the trails. "Trail Highlights" have been added, starting on page 39, to interpret some of the sights and sounds you might (or will) experience throughout the Preserve. Our hope is that these highlights, along with the many interesting plant descriptions, will enhance your visit and that you will enjoy, contemplate, and learn from the many wonders and miracles that Nature and each new season holds.
ii
How to Use the Plant Species Guide MAP INFORMATION - A full Forest Ecology Preserve map is on the back cover of this booklet. The map is divided into quadrants A, B, C, & D. Each quadrant has been enlarged and appears on one of the four center-fold pages. The #s on the quadrant maps indicate locations of the plants. PLANT DESCRIPTIONS are in numerical order and correspond to the plant #s. PLANT INDEX gives: • • •
•
COMMON NAMES (alphabetical) GENUS & SPECIES NAMES SPECIES #s - found numerically next to plant descriptions, on maps and plant markers (there may be two of the same species marked but in different locations). MAP QUADRANT LETTER - A, B, C, or D (shows which center-fold map to turn to)
FINDING A PLANT - Locate the plant in the index, then find its # on the specified quadrant map (A, B, C, or D) then hike to desired location.
iii
Trail Highlights This section has been added to interpret some of the sights and sounds you might (or will) experience throughout the 110 acre Preserve. Quadrant A - If you look at the Quadrant A (Q-A) map (in the center-fold), you will see where to find the first plant described in this guide. Number one will be found in the main parking lot area.. The natural area next to the parking lot, includes a winding, wood-chip trail, a comfortable hexagonal bench and many of our native plants. Some of the plants you see do not occur in this guide but they have markers, providing you with the common and scientific names. “Wax Myrtle Lane” will bring you to the recently constructed (2004) pavilion, office/information center, and restroom. An amphitheater and two more restrooms are adjacent to the pavilion but actually in Q/B. On “Pond Way” you’ll notice a Longleaf Pine Demonstration Area. The longleaf pine forest has greatly declined over the past couple centuries in the southeast U.S. Read more about this special tree and the ecosystem it provides on the kiosk at this site. Across from the natural area, mentioned above, you will see “Rill and Dell”. On “Rill and Dell” ( rill: a small stream or brook; dell: a small, secluded wooded valley) you will find a variety of large hardwood trees as the trail heads down towards “Fern View”. Quadrant B - Q/B begins in the middle of “Rill and Dell”. “Rill and Dell” leads you to “Fern View” where many beautiful ferns appear in mid-spring and throughout the summer. There are four overlooks along “Fern View” with information describing the ferns you will see. Continuing east from “Fern View” you will meet “Tree Walk”. “Tree Walk” will then follow along a portion of the southern and eastern property lines toward “Azalea Place”. “Azalea Place” is especially beautiful in the early spring when the 39
blood root, trillium, wild ginger, birdfoot violet and Carolina silverbell flowers begin to bloom. You may choose to continue to the north portion of the Preserve by way of the little foot bridge and “N.E. Pass” or walk quietly toward “Reptile’s Rest” to see if you can view a five lined skink or a fence lizard sunning itself on the rock wall. As you continue north from “Reptile’s Rest” and arrive at Powerline Trail, look and listen for some of the forest songbirds (a few sighted in 2004: yellow breasted chat, common yellow throat, dark eyed junco and winter wren). Birds love forest edges, they also need water. Both are provided at this site. At this point, you may decide to enjoy the fall blooming wildflowers on “Powerline Trail” or cut across the power line to “Hidden Trail” which takes you to Quadrant C. Quadrant C - includes many wonderful water features. A spring (starting in Quadrant D) feeds the stream which fills the little pond where many water loving plants and creatures find a home. Can you hear the frogs croaking? See the turtles basking and the dragonflies lighting gently on the reeds and rushes? The overflow of water is released through a spillway next to the dam, then travels down to a rocky slope which forms a delightful waterfall called “Hidden Falls” (sit awhile on the little bench and enjoy the view). The water that cascades into the rocky creek below will flow beside “Hidden Trail”, through Azalea Place and out of the Preserve. To cross over the spillway, “stepping rocks” have been provided (always an adventure for the young visitors and the young-at-heart). Also provided is a “port-o-john” at the north parking lot (just off of Ct. Rd. 72) and a pavilion, just east of the pond, in case of inclement weather. As you make your way up “Barn Trace” from the pond, or if you follow “Pond Way” to “Homestead Trail” you’ll arrive at two interesting areas to visit. One is the beautiful Butterfly Garden. It is kept up by several faithful volunteers (additional help is always welcome!). Get out those cameras, binoculars, and field guides as you identify the variety of 40
butterflies that can be seen from mid-summer till mid-fall. Another area is the “Homestead” which brings you now to Quadrant D. Quadrant D - At the “Homestead” you will find the remaining rock foundation and the original fireplace bricks from the Cooper family home. It once stood on the site, before the turn of the century, until the early 1940's, when it burned down. A kiosk with pictures and information give a brief history. There is also an old barn that still stands. The side of the barn closest to the vegetable garden is the original portion that was once a smoke house and the other side was added when Louise Kreher Turner started raising cattle on the land in the late1940's. If you head west on “Homestead Trail” from the homestead you’ll want to turn on “Boulder Ridge”. There you’ll find a beautiful outcropping of large boulders and a slopping, fairly open, hardwood forest. Many white oaks and hickories are on this hillside with the spring-head at the bottom of the slope. There are two benches, just off the trail, for you to sit and meditate, watch for wildlife, read poetry, or just enjoy the view. Walking on to reach “Cemetery Trail” you’ll see the back side of the Farmville Cemetery where Dr. and Mrs. Watkins and Mr. and Mrs. Cooper, the first and second owners of the homestead, are buried. Also buried there is Mr. Frank Turner, who, along with his wife, Louise K. Turner, in 1993 donated the 110 acre forest preserve to Auburn University School of Forestry (now the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences). Continue walking and choose either Ridge Path or Hi Lo Vista to bring you back to “Pond Way” (I’m told that, if you look carefully on the north side of “Ridge Path”, when the leaves have fallen, you may see the remains of an old still). Now heading south on “Pond Way” you will reach the power line. The power line and some of the surrounding area was 41
once the main cotton field on the property. If you look down (or up, if your looking from the east end) you will notice the terraces that were made long ago, to help keep the soil from washing away. Today, on the power line, we look forward to seeing the beautiful wildflowers and native grasses which are at their peak in the early fall. This is also a place were bluebirds, and often times titmice and chickadees, set up housekeeping, thanks to the, lovingly donated and placed, bluebird nest boxes. The insect eating birds (and entomologists) love this area also because of the abundance and variety of insects that hum throughout the grasses and flowers.
42
43
Plant Descriptions sumac, smooth (Rhus glabra)
1-A
The smooth sumac is not as common as the winged sumac (5-A). This shrub or small tree has pinnately compound leaves with 11 to 31 leaflets that are attached to a smooth, wingless stalk. These leaflets are a dull green on top with a waxy-white underside. The twigs are hairless and emit a milky sap when broken. The smooth sumac can also be identified by its showy fruit in the late summer. The fruit becomes a velvet red upright panicle of many small berries which is eaten by numerous birds and other wildlife. The flowers are greenish-white and not as showy as the fruit. locust, black (Robinia pseudoacacia)
1a-A
A member of the legume family, the black locust is a medium-sized tree with once-compound leaves. Each 8" to 14" leaf has 6-20 egg-shaped leaflets. You will often find ½" to 1" paired thorns at the leaf scars. The bark is rough, dark brown and, on mature trees, deeply ridged and furrowed. The fragrant, white clustered flowers are very attractive in early spring, and the fruits are 2"-6" flat oblong pods (legumes). The wood is strong and durable, making it ideal for use as fence posts. The seeds are eaten by bobwhite, mourning dove, cottontail rabbit, and deer. pine, longleaf (Pinus palustris)
2-A
The longleaf pine is one of the most long-lived species of the Southern pines. It grows to a height of 100 feet and a diameter of 2 to 2.5 feet. Dark green in color, its needles grow to a length of 10 to 15 inches and appear in bundles of three. One of the most distinguishing characteristics of the longleaf is its stout twigs that end in a white candle-like bud. Seedlings will remain in a grass stage for several years as their roots develop. It grows mainly in the
1
Coastal Plain region but can also be found in the Piedmont region. It is a fire-dependent species, meaning it thrives when the natural area surrounding it burns. Longleafs once covered more than 92 million acres in the South, it now covers less than 2.5 million acres. The longleaf forest provides an unusual and a valuable ecosystem which supports a number of endangered and threatened plants and animal species. Before extensive logging the longleaf was the most important commercial southern tree species. It is still a source of resin and turpentine and highly prized for poles, pilings and high quality sawtimber. sunflower, narrow-leaved; swamp (Helianthus angustifolius) 3-A Unlike the large sunflowers people are most familiar with, the narrowleaved sunflower is only about two inches across. It is a native perennial reaching up to 7 feet tall and is the most common sunflower in the mid-southeastern United States. As in all true sunflowers, what first appears to be the flower is actually made up of individual ray flowers and hundreds of tiny flowers in the center called disk flowers. The narrow-leaved sunflower displays yellow ray flowers, dark purple disc flowers, hairy stems and long, narrow, alternate leaves. It tends to occur in dense clumps making a spectacular showing in the early fall. honeysuckle, trumpet (Lonicera sempervirens)
4-A (45-B)
The red, trumpet-shaped flowers on this native honeysuckle vine provide an eye catching display each spring. These beautiful flowers are attractive to the Rubythroated Hummingbirds, which enjoy its nectar, as well as to humans, who plant the trumpet honeysuckle in their gardens.
2
sumac, winged (Rhus copallinum)
5-A
The winged sumac gets its name from the wings that lie between the leaflets on the leaf stalk. It is similar in appearance to the smooth sumac but it has distinct differences. Its many leaflets are shiny on top and are pale green below. The twigs are brown and hairy and emit a watery sap. The winged sumac’s flowers and fruits are similar to smooth sumac, but its bright red fruits grow in drooping panicles. Its sour fruit is often used to make a drink similar to lemonade. groundsel-tree (Baccharis halimifolia)
5a-A
Known as the only shrub or small tree found in the Asteraceae family, which also contains dandelions, the groundsel-tree grows in clumps and has many bushy branches with alternate leaves that are spiraled and diamond shaped. The groundsel-tree is also unique because it is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers grow on different trees. The fruit is a small nutlet. It is sometimes called saltbush and can be found growing close to the ocean were it can tolerate the salty ocean air. elm, winged (Ulmus alata)
6-A
The winged elm is easily identified because of its corky wings that often appear on the branches and twigs. It is also identified by its grayish brown and somewhat scaly bark. The leaves of the winged elm are lance shaped with hairy undersides and doubly serrated (toothed) edges. It is a common understory tree that often does not grow tall unless it is on the borders of swamps or rivers where it can reach 100 feet. The samara (fruit) is a flat winged capsule with dense white hairs that mature in early spring before the leaves emerge.
3
holly, deciduous; possum-haw (Ilex decidua)
6a-A
The possum-haw is a small, deciduous (non-evergreen) tree Opposite or Alternate? Many plants which have similar or shrub. Its leaves are wavy characteristics can sometimes be edged, narrow to egg-shaped, identified with a simple check of 2"-3" with blunt tips. This tree, the leaf arrangement. Opposite with alternate leaves, is not to means that the leaves are directly opposite each other on the stem be confused with the and alternate means they are possum-haw viburnum arranged singly at intervals along (Viburnum nudum) which has the stem (note the example of the opposite leaves. This holly possum-haw). blooms April-May and its shiny red fruits can be seen September-March. It is often found on wet sites and is an important food for many birds. hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana)
7-A (60-C)
The hornbeam is also called ironwood or musclewood because of its smooth, gray bark that has a sinewy and muscular appearance. The zig zag twigs are reddish in color with gray lenticels (raised dots or short lines). The hornbeam’s leaves are doubly toothed with hairy undersides. Its fruit, which matures in the late summer, is also very distinctive with nutlets that form in a three-lobed leafy bract (leaf like structure). The nutlets are eaten by many songbirds, wild turkey and squirrels. Reaching only about 30 feet in height, the hornbeam has very strong wood but has little economic value. (Pictured on page iii) myrtle, wax (Myrica cerifera)
8-A (48-B)
Although it can become a tree, the wax myrtle is most often considered a shrub. Its leaves are evergreen and slender with several teeth at the tips. These leaves have a fresh, spicy fragrance. There are golden resin specks on both sides of the leaves, although they more typically occur on the underside. Male and female (staminate and pistillate) flowers grow on separate trees and bloom in the spring. The wax myrtle’s fruits are small, blue-gray berries that cluster along the branches in the fall. These berries have been used in candle and soap making. The wax myrtle has also been called "southern bayberry" and "candleberry."
4
poison-ivy Toxicodendron radicans
8a-A
One touch of this plant can result in an annoying rash. The main feature of poison-ivy is the three leaves that tend to be variable. Poison-ivy is a hairy vine that can be found trailing on the ground or growing high in the tops of trees. It grows in a variety of habitats but can be highly concentrated in disturbed areas. The leaves of the poison-ivy plant are quite showy in the fall, turning yellow to red. However, despite its colorful appearance, it can be harmful at any time of the year.
Remember: “Leaves of 3 let it be. Never touch a hairy tree.”
hickory, pignut (Carya glabra)
9-A (32-B)
The pignut hickory’s bark is divided into closely packed low ridges that form a diamond pattern. Its leaves are pinnately compound (leaflets arranged along a central axis) with five but sometimes seven leaflets that are almost always hairless (glabrous) on the undersides. The tree’s fruit is very different from the mockernut because it is smaller, pear shaped, thin husked and splits only halfway to its base. The pignut hickory is known as a strong tree, making it perfect for such items as ax handles, wagon wheels and even skis. buckeye, bottlebrush (Aesculus parviflora)
10-A
The bottlebrush buckeye, which can grow to approximately 15 feet tall, is a rare plant only found in central Alabama and Georgia. Like the red buckeye (#38), the bottlebrush buckeye has leaves that are palmately compound and a nut-like fruit. However, the flowers of the bottlebrush buckeye are the one feature that distinguish it from the red buckeye. The blooms are white and the flowers are clustered on an upright spike with extended anthers, giving it the
5
appearance of a bottlebrush. In the fall, the leaves turn a vibrant yellow color. The buckeyes are common in rich woods along stream banks. oak, southern red (Quercus falcate)
11-A
The southern red oak is a common type of upland oak that is found in central and southern Alabama. The larger trees have rough bark on the lower trunk or bole. Its leaves are identified by the "U" or bell-shaped base (think of the "Southern Bell"). The lower shade leaves are commonly broad with only three lobes and are sometimes compared to a thick turkey foot. The sun leaves have more lobes and a long terminal lobe that sometimes curves to one side. Each lobe has a bristle tip, typical of red oaks. The mature leaves are somewhat rough and have a slightly yellowish or gray hairy underside. Because its acorns are small (1/2 to 3/4 inch), they are readily carried by some birds, particularly blue jays, resulting in the southern red oak being more easily and widely dispersed than oaks with larger acorns. Therefore, this species invades open fields and openings in pine stands more quickly than with large acorns. Though the reason is unclear, early botanists and writers called this species the "Spanish oak." (Pictured on front cover) hawthorn (Crataegus spp.)
12-A
Noted for its long thorns located along the twigs, the hawthorn has several different species native to the Southeast. Many of these species are difficult to distinguish because of hybridization and the slight differences in many. The hawthorn’s leaves are quite variable but are often triangular and toothed. Its bark is dark and scaly and the unfragrant flowers are white or pink. The fruits of the hawthorn are yellow to red pomes, meaning they are applelike. They provide wonderful food for wildlife. In addition, a variety of songbirds choose the hawthorns for nesting.
6
maple, red (Acer rubrum)
13-A (46-B)
Often called Swamp Maple, this tree can grow 60 to 90 feet tall with a diameter of 2.5 feet. The 2 to 4 inch leaves with three short pointed lobes grow on slender, reddish twigs. In spring clusters of scarlet flowers appear before the leaves. The thin bark is smooth and grayish in color on younger trees and darker and more broken on older trees. The bark of the red maple often provided pioneers with ink and dye. Usually found in wet, moist soils along streambanks and in swamps, this tree can sometimes be found on dry ridges and in mixed hardwood forests. (Pictured on page ii) grape, muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia)
14-B
Most people in the South are familiar with the purple muscadine grape. The muscadine is a highly cultivated fruit because of its tolerance to pests. In the forest, the muscadine is a vine which can grow high into the trees or trail along the ground. The woody stem will become quite stout with age, up to about 2 inches in diameter. Its leaves are alternate and heart-shaped or rounded with toothed edges. Its yellow-green flowers are barely noticeable. There is also a green version of the muscadine fruit that is referred to as the scuppernong. Muscadine grapes are eaten as a fruit, used in jellies and made into wine. blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica)
15-B (78-C)
The blackgum, occasionally called black tupelo or pepperridge, has many slender horizontal branches and thick, rough, dark grayish-black, indented bark. The leaves, which have a pointed tip, are leathery, dark green and very lustrous. They turn a scarlet color in autumn. The fruit is a juicy drupe (fleshy with one seed) growing in clusters of one to three on drooping stalks and serves as food for many birds and mammals. Heartwood decay is common in the blackgum, resulting in many hollow trees. Early settlers cut these hollow trees into short lengths and used them as beehives, earning them the name
7
bee-gum trees. The blackgum is not highly regarded as a valuable commercial tree but it did serve the early settlers of America in many important ways. The fibers are interbraided and cross woven making the wood very difficult to split, causing warp and twist in sawn boards. But because nothing can split it, blackgum was used as the handles of heavy-duty tools, served as gun stocks and pistol grips, was made into veneer for boxes and crates and formed into chopping bowls and wooden parts for early farm equipment. persimmon, common (Diospyros virginiana)
16-B (47-B)
Often used as a peace offering by Native Americans, the persimmon is known for its sweet fruit (Diospyros means "divine fruit"). However, if the fruit is eaten too early, it has an unpleasant taste that will make your mouth pucker for quite a while after tasting it. This fruit was an important staple in the diet of early Native Americans and is eaten by a wide variety of animals from birds and squirrels to deer and opossum. Persimmon’s bark is dark and broken up into many small blocks. Its leaves are 3 to 6 inches long, dark green, oval shaped and with smooth edges. They often have small black spots on them. The persimmon’s lateral buds are black and resemble a snake’s head. Their bell or urn-shaped white flowers appear in late spring. magnolia, sweetbay (Magnolia virginiana)
17-B
The sweetbay magnolia is the most widely distributed magnolia and is often planted as an ornamental tree. Its leaves are thick and evergreen with white hairy undersides. When the sweetbay magnolia’s leaves are crushed, they have a pleasant spicy aroma. Its flowers are similar to other magnolias but are smaller in size. The bark is dark gray and very smooth. Sweetbay magnolias are typically found in wet areas of the coastal plain and piedmont regions. Its fruit serves as a food source for many wildlife species and beaver will eat its bark. In early America, settlers called the sweetbay magnolia the "beavertree" because they used its fleshy roots to bait beaver.
8
switchcane (Arundinaria gigantean)
18-B
Arundinaria is the largest native grass in the United States with only three subspecies. The only subspecies growing in the Southeastern United States is spp.gigantea (giant cane). The common name is cane or switchcane and it grows in moist to wet sites. You’ll find it growing in several sites on the Preserve all of which are near or next to a stream bank or low lying area. This bamboo-like grass can form open to dense stands or cane brakes; it is becoming less common as clearing and other land use occurs. The cane brakes provide excellent cover and nesting habitat for many wetland wildlife species. elm, American (Ulmus Americana)
19-B (24-B)
Because of its height (up to 125') and its drooping branches, the American elm is a favorite shade tree in neighborhoods and on school campuses. Identified by its gray bark with deep fissures and ridges, the elm is also characterized by its unusual leaves that don’t meet equally at the base and have doubly toothed edges. The elm’s fruits are saucer shaped seeds that disperse on the wind. Dutch Elm Disease, a nasty disease carried by a bark beetle, is a common foe of the American elm and has claimed many of these stately trees. pine, shortleaf (Pinus echinata)
20-B (50-B)
The shortleaf pine is a valuable source of timber at a mature age, particularly in the Southeast. Its needles are short, usually only three to five inches in length, and grow with two, sometimes three in each bundle. Its cones are very small and armed with prickles. Notice the loblolly next to this shortleaf pine. Compare the needles, the cones and the flakier bark.. Look also for the pinsized resin holes in the shortleaf’s attractive red-orange bark.
9
poplar, yellow (Liriodendron tulipifera)
21-B
Contrary to its name, the yellow poplar or tulip tree is not actually a poplar but a member of the magnolia family. It can grow to great heights (up to 150 feet) and its diameter can reach up to 5 feet across. Two of the country’s Champion yellow poplar trees are located in Alabama. The tree’s tulip-shaped flowers are greenish yellow with blotches of orange. Because they are moth pollinated, these flowers have a strong yet pleasant odor. The yellow poplar’s seeds are wind dispersed samaras, or winged fruit, that are contained in a conelike structure. The unusual leaves are large with four lobes and have a broad notch at the tip (apex). Its trunk is straight with very smooth grayish bark on younger trees that becomes deeply grooved with age. birch, river (Betula nigra)
22-B
This particular species of birch grows farther south than any other birch species. It is mostly recognized by its bark that peels off in dark, reddish-brown scales, exposing a second salmon colored bark beneath. The 2 to 4 inch leaves are triangular with edges that are doubly serrated, having large and small teeth. The seeds of the river birch are highly dependent on water for dissemination because when the seeds shed in May, the rivers, often at their peaks, carry the seeds for miles until they germinate on a muddy bank. Although selling the wood of the river birch has never been profitable, the tree serves an important ecological role. It holds the banks of rivers intact, preventing erosion during excessive flooding.
10
mistletoe (Phoradendron flavescens)
23-B
Kissing under the mistletoe during the Christmas season is often the first thing that comes to mind at the mention of this plant. Mistletoe grows on trees as a semiparasite which means that it can produce its own chlorophyll but it relies on its host plant for nutrition. It is not rooted in the ground. Look high in this tree (only visable when the tree’s leaves have fallen) and you’ll notice the clustered evergreen leaves which will bear impressive white berries in the late fall and early winter. The fruit is a favorite of many birds and mammals. The mistletoe plant and its berries are considered poisonous to humans but they have had some benefit in the treatment of various human diseases including cancer. This research is ongoing. elm, American (Ulmus Americana)
24-B
For a description, refer to #19-B. (Pictured on page 9) A large water oak is the tree directly behind this elm. cedar, eastern red (Juniperus virginiana)
25-B (33-B)
The eastern red cedar is a unique conifer because it is dioecious, meaning it can either be male or female. The female version has silky flowers and blue berries which have an unpleasant odor when smashed. The male version has small cones. The fruits of the Eastern red cedar are a favorite among many birds, especially the cedar waxwing whose name was derived from its love for the tree. The foliage consists of blunt overlapping needles with a resin gland. In the past, the fragrant juniper wood was used mainly in the production of pencils but it is now utilized for much more. Because the bark peels even when the tree is young, it is a favorite among woodworkers. Cedars often carry a fungus called cedar-apple fungus that appears as small hard galls and can disfigure the trees.
11
holly, American (Ilex opaca)
26-B
Often seen during the Christmas season, the American holly has leaves that are thick and green with prickly points. The holly’s presence in the wild has decreased since it has become a popular holiday tree. The holly tree is dioecious, meaning it will have either male or female flowers, but not both, on one tree. The female tree bears deep red berries that persist throughout winter and provides a favored wildlife food. The American holly can grow to a medium sized tree with smooth gray warty bark and is usually found growing in moist soils. oak, post (Quercus stellata)
27-B (51-B)
The post oak is a medium-sized upland oak that is usually found with thick, somewhat contorted branches, particularly true of those that grow in drier areas. Its well-developed leaves are characteristically cruciform or cross-shaped. These leaves have five major lobes, are somewhat rough in texture on the top and have dense hairs underneath. The twigs are rather stout and quite hairy. The medium-sized acorns have caps that cover 1/3 to 1/2 of the nut. The post oak is classified in the white oak subgroup (Leucobalanus) meaning its leaf tips lack bristles and its acorns mature in one season. Although poorer in quality than the white oak, the wood of the post oak is tough and is suitable for fence posts, cross ties and pallets. (Pictured on page 24) hickory, red (Carya ovalis)
28-B
The red hickory is similar to, and sometimes considered a variety of, the pignut hickory but with some distinct differences. The red hickory’s fruit has a rough husk which splits to the base and its bark has loose scaly ridges. The leaves, when crushed, will produce a pleasant spicy aroma and, as with all hickories, will turn a beautiful yellow color in the fall. The red hickory you see on Tree Walk is the only one that has been found, so far, at the Forest Ecology Preserve.
12
pine, loblolly (Pinus taeda)
29-B
Also known as old-field pine because of its abundance in open fields, the loblolly is a very common species in the Southeast and is often seen along roadsides. Its needles usually grow in bundles of three (sometimes four) and are a pale green in color. The loblolly’s medium sized cones are a light reddish brown with short prickles. Its bark is brown with red-brown plates. The loblolly’s lumber is used on a wide scale, not because of its quality, but because of its abundance, particularly in the Coastal Plain region. (Pictured on front cover) oak, northern red (Quercus rubra)
30-B
The northern red oak is a large upland oak that occurs widely throughout most of the eastern United States and into Canada. Because of its relatively fast growth, typically straight, clear trunk and beautiful wood, the northern red oak is a highly desirable timber species throughout the southern portion of its range. This tree also has large acorns that have shallow, platter-like acorn caps. These acorns are a favorite of deer and squirrels in the fall. The leaves are broad and are typically shiny on both sides, with seven to 11 bristle-tipped lobes. The bark on the middle and upper trunks of the mature trees have broad, flat, light gray ridges separated by dark grooves, giving the impression of having broad, gray streaks. In the South, the northern red oak is typically found in more mesic (moderately moist but not wet) upland habitats. hickory, mockernut (Carya tomentosa)
31-B
The mockernut hickory is recognized by its stout branches and large yellowish buds. Its bark is dark gray and becomes shallowly fissured with age. The leaves of the mockernut are composed of seven to nine leaflets with finely toothed edges or margins and hairy undersides. When crushed, the leaves emit a lemony scent. The mockernut’s fruit is a nut encased in a very thick husk that splits to the base. The fruit of all hickory trees is favored by many small mammals.
13
hickory, pignut (Carya glabra)
32-B
For a description, refer to #9-A. cedar, eastern red (Juniperus virginiana)
33-B
For a description, refer to #25-B. (Pictured on page 11) witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
34-B
The essence of witch hazel is extracted from this tree’s inner bark and can be found on the medicine isle of some stores as witch hazel astringent. One of the many distinguishing features of witch hazel is its oval-shaped, dark green, wavy-edged leaves. Its yellow flowers are unusual, with four stringy, somewhat curly petals and bloom after the leaves have fallen from the tree, usually in fall or early winter. The twobeaked, orange-brown woody fruit does not ripen until late fall of the following year. When the fruit is ripe, the seeds are shot out of a capsule, sometimes traveling 30 feet. Witches in colonial America thought that using witch hazel branches would help them find water and gold. croton, Alabama (Croton alabamensis)
35-B
The Alabama croton is a very rare shrub occurring in only two Alabama counties, Bibb and Tuscaloosa. The specimen at the Forest Ecology Preserve was planted on this site. The croton is normally partial to harsh environments such as limestone bluffs and shallow soils. Upon close inspection, you will notice the croton has silvery scales on its stems and leaves. The scales on the back of the leaf are so close together that the leaf appears to be silvery white in color. The croton’s flower is a yellow cluster and its fruit is a silver capsule. The croton is at its peak in the fall, when the leaves turn a beautiful orange color.
14
silverbell, Carolina (Halesia tetraptera)
36-B
The bark of the silverbell is reddish brown and smooth on small trees. It becomes more gray-brown with scales on the larger ones. The silverbell’s twigs are reddish brown with shield-shaped leaf scars. Its leaves are elliptical with small sharp teeth around the edges. The silverbell’s bell-shaped white flowers are beautiful in early April. In fall, its leaves turn a golden color and its four-winged fruit becomes mature. The two-wing silverbell (H. diptera) is very similar to the Carolina silverbell and is also native to this area. sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum)
37-B (76-C)
As its name describes, the leaves and twigs of the sourwood taste sour. Native Americans would often chew on a sourwood leaf to ward off thirst during long distance runs. Its leaves are elliptical in shape and turn bright red in early fall. The bark is grayish brown and deeply grooved. The sourwood’s flowers are small, white and plentiful along a stalk that resembles lily-ofthe-valley. Its fruits droop in clusters and remain on the tree throughout winter. They can often be found under the tree the next season. For years, the South has been prized for its sourwood honey - the finest around but difficult to find. buckeye, red (Aesculus pavia)
38-B
With its bright red, tubular flowers and red stalk, the red buckeye is a favorite of hummingbirds, making it a very popular backyard bush. The leaves on the red buckeye are palmately compound, meaning they are arranged similar to a hand. The tree’s fruit is a nut-like capsule containing one to three large seeds. There has long been a legend that carrying a buckeye seed in your pocket will bring good luck. However, the foliage and seeds are very poisonous to both humans and livestock when eaten. This particular specimen has been giving a spectacular spring showing! (Pictured on cover)
15
azalea, Alabama (Rhododendron alabamense)
39-B
This native azalea is a shrub with beautiful white flowers (.8 to 1.5 inch in diameter) that have yellow centers and a distinct lemony fragrance. The flowers of the Alabama azalea bloom before leaves or other vegetation emerge. It has become commonly used as a landscape plant. paw-paw, dwarf (Asimina parviflora)
40-B
The dwarf paw-paw is a shrub which looks similar to many tropical plants. Its leaves are long with the widest part of the leaf in the middle. The leaves have smooth edges and smell like green pepper when crushed. The paw-paw’s flowers range from greenish purple to a deep red in color and smell like wine. Perhaps the most interesting part of the plant is its fruit, which consist of large, green, oblong berries that turn yellow and have a custardlike flavor in the late summer. At one time, the paw-paw had a very expansive range, but it is now found only as an understory plant in the South. Its fruit was made into jelly years ago and can still be found on some Southern tables. honeysuckle, Japanese (Lonicera japonica)
41-B
The Japanese honeysuckle is a vine native to Asia but has become naturalized across North America and is commonly seen in backyards. The semievergreen leaves are opposite and the fragrant white to pale yellow flowers are two-lipped and tubular. Many people have tasted the sweet nectar and enjoyed the pleasant fragrance of the honeysuckle flowers which bloom April through June. The fruit of the Japanese honeysuckle is eaten by most birds and it is an important browse plant for white-tailed deer and our eastern cottontail. This honeysuckle species is a fast growing invasive vine that often replaces the native vegetation of an area.
16
beech, American (Fagus grandifolia)
42-B
The American beech is a large tree attaining heights of 60 to 80 feet. Its bark is blue-gray and smooth and it has elliptical-shaped leaves. A distinctive feature of the beech is the long, pointed, cigar-like terminal bud. The leaves of the American beech turn bright yellow in autumn, then turn brown and remain on the tree throughout the winter. The fruit of the beech consists of nuts enclosed in four-cleft burs. It is an important food source for wildlife. A tree rooted deep in the history of our country, the American beech at one time occupied vast expanses of forest throughout the eastern United States. For years, people have often been tempted to carve their initials or record momentous occasions in the smooth bark of the beech. For example, Daniel Boone recorded one of his feats on a large beech tree in Washington County, Tenn. It read "D. Boone, Cilled a Bar, On Tree, In Year 1760." This tree fell in 1916 after growing 28 feet in girth and 70 feet tall. It was estimated to be 365 years old. yaupon (Ilex vomitoria)
43-B
Widely used as an ornamental plant, yaupon is an evergreen shrub found on a variety of sites. It is abundant in pine understories. Along with the American holly, the yaupon is also a member of the holly family which is native to much of the eastern United States. Its leaves are small with toothed edges. The stems of the yaupon are white, stiff and almost like thorns. In the spring, small, white, four-petaled flowers bloom. Yaupons are dioecious, meaning the male and female flowers grow on separate plants. Its prominent red berries mature in the fall. The plant’s scientific name comes from its ancient use as a tea that people drank to purge their system. This tea has also been used as a caffeinated drink in some cultures.
17
oak, white (Quercus alba)
44-B (70-C)
The white oak is among the widest ranging of the American oaks and can grow to a large size on a wide variety of sites except for very wet and very dry sites. Its bark is slightly grooved and with loose scaly plates. The name, white oak, is derived primarily from its whitish, ash-gray bark and pale wood. The leaves are dark green on top and pale green underneath. They have seven to nine lobes that tend to be shallowly cut in the shade and very deeply cut in the sun. Its leaves lack bristles, like others in the white oak subgenus (Leucobalanus). The white oak’s acorns are typically medium-sized with bowl-shaped knobby caps and they have lower tannin levels than those of red oaks, making them a favorite of many wildlife species. They are favored by whitetail deer. Throughout history, the white oak has been the most commercially used of all the oaks. Because of its hardness and durability, the white oak has been used for such things as furniture, flooring, log cabins and wooden bridges. While red oak wood is porous, white oak wood is not, so it has often been used for tight cooperage containers for liquid, such as barrels and buckets. This tree has also been a favorite for weaving baskets as well as chair seats and backs from thin strips of its wood. honeysuckle, trumpet (Lonicera sempervirens) For a description, refer to #4-A. (Pictured on page 2)
18
45-B
maple, red (Acer rubrum)
46-B
For a description, refer to #13-A. (Pictured on page ii) persimmon, common (Diospyros virginiana)
47-B
For a description, refer to #16-B. (Pictured on page 8) myrtle, wax (Myrica cerifera)
48-B
For a description, refer to #8-A. (Pictured on page 4) sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)
49-B
One of the most distinctive and versatile trees, sweetgums grow fast and thrive on a variety of sites ranging from intermittently flooded bottomlands to somewhat dry uplands. Its leaves are star shaped, with five pointed lobes arranged like fingers radiating from a palm. These leaves exude a strong, rather pleasant odor when crushed. The sweetgum’s abundant fruits are spiny, woody balls that litter the ground underneath large trees and prove to be quite a nuisance in yards. These balls are very prolific in producing tiny, winged, wind-disseminated seeds. After cutting down the sweetgum, the stumps sprout vigorously. A circle of sprouts from shallow roots can be seen one to 10 (or more) feet from the original tree. Because of these reproductive characteristics, the sweetgum is one of the most easily reproduced trees. Like its scientific name describes, sweetgum trees exude a sticky, slightly sweet sap when wounded. This sap thickens and dries over time to an amber color. When just the right consistency, this strong tasting "gum" can be chewed. It was used in earlier times for
19
20
21
22
23
medicinal purposes. Confederate doctors during the Civil War used the gum to treat skin sores and dysentery. During World War II, the gum was an important base for salves, adhesives, soaps and tobacco flavoring. At that time, a sweetgum tree tapping industry developed in southwestern Alabama. The gum was scraped, then heated, strained and canned. The light-colored wood, termed "sap gum" in the timber trade, is soft and light and is used commercially for veneer, trim, pallets and paper pulp. However, some large trees grown in bottomlands develop a deep red heartwood that is much more valuable and used for more expensive furniture and veneer. pine, shortleaf (Pinus echinata)
50-B
For a description, refer to #20-B. (Pictured on Contents page) oak, post (Quercus stellata)
51-B
For a description, refer to #27-B.
24
oak, water (Quercus nigra)
52-B
Widely distributed throughout the South, the water oak is one of the most common oaks in the Alabama Piedmont region. As its name implies, this tree achieves its best growth and largest size on bottomlands, but it also grows well on a wide range of upland sites and is widely planted along city streets. The tree’s leaves are quite variable, even on the same tree. These trees will usually include leaves with the characteristic tapering, wedged-like base and broad, unlobed or three-lobed blade end. Although it is classed as a red oak, the leaves of the water oak do not have very noticeable bristles. However, as with other red oaks, the acorns of the water oak take two seasons to mature and require cool, moist storage for germination. Though its acorns are small, this tree is one of the most consistent and prolific acorn producers among our native oaks. It is an extremely valuable source of food for wildlife, especially for deer, ducks, wild turkey and squirrels. Like the Southern red oak, the small size of the water oak’s acorns results in its wide dissemination by some birds, especially blue jays. hydrangea, oak-leaf (Hydrangea quercifolia)
53-B
Named for its oak-like leaves, the oak-leaf hydrangea is the state wildflower of Alabama. While its leaves turn orange and red in the fall, it is this hydrangea’s flowers that most people consider to be the prettiest part of the plant. The oak-leaf hydrangea has white flowers that bloom in early summer and grow on large spikes. These flowers remain into the winter, turning reddish and then tan. The bark is also showy as it peels throughout the year. This species of hydrangea is native to the Southeast and is widely planted as an ornamental plant.
25
olive, autumn (Elaeagnus umbellate)
54-B
The autumn olive is considered an exotic species - a plant or animal that is not native to the area. Planted for its fragrant spring flowers, the autumn olive also provides excellent food and cover for wildlife. However, it can also spread quickly and occupy areas where more desirable native species would normally grow. The autumn olive is comprised of thorny branches and leaves with silvery undersides. (Note: #61, thorny elaeagnus Elaeagnus pungens) plum, chickasaw (Prunus angustifolia)
55-B
This shrub or small tree flourishes in disturbed areas and along fencerows. The chickasaw plum consists of fragrant, white blooms that cover the entire tree before the leaves emerge. The sweet red plums, maturing by late summer, are used in making jellies and are consumed by a number of mammals. When formed into thickets, the trees also provide ideal nesting and cover for song and game birds. The leaves are often folded upwards with a sharp point on the end and red glands at the base. The twigs are redbrown in color and shiny with thorns. The bark is also red-brown and shiny and becomes scaly with age. blueberry, Elliott (Vaccinium elliottii)
56-B
Sometimes called mayberry or huckleberry, this medium sized branchy shrub stands out because of its light green stems. The shrub has small, thick, glossy leaves that have fine, sharp serrations (teeth) along the edges and often turn bright red in the fall. The flowers, which appear in early spring, are shaped like a vase and are white or pink. The fruit resembles a small blueberry. Many animals enjoy eating the berries and deer often munch on the leaves of the Elliott blueberry plant.
26
sparkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum)
57-B
Related to the blueberry, the sparkleberry can grow to either a bush or a small tree. Its oval to round shaped leaves are alternately arranged on the stem and turn golden to red in the fall. Clusters of small white, bell-shaped flowers appear in spring to early summer. The bark on the mature sparkleberry is shreddy and red. Unlike other vaccinium species, the sparkleberry’s blueberry-like fruit is not a favorite of wildlife because of its gritty texture. However, its nectar and leaves are preferred foods of certain butterflies and caterpillars. maple, ashleaf; box-elder (Acer negundo)
57a-B
The name box-elder, which is widely used, fails to suggest that it is a member of the maple family. This tree’s opposite, pinnately compound leaves may be mistaken for an ash since the ashes also have the same leaf arrangement. The leaflets number 3-5 (commonly 3, more rarely 7-9). When only 3 leaflets are present, the foliage often resembles poison ivy. Box-elder’s winged fruit ("samara" or "key") and the placement of the leaves (directly opposite each other) on the stem are obvious characteristics of all maples. This medium sized tree has smooth bright green twigs or sometimes with a whitish coating that rubs off. Squirrels and songbirds love the fruit and its soft white wood is used for making boxes and other items. devil’s walking stick (Aralia spinosa) The prickly bark and twigs of this plant give the names - devil’s walking stick or sometimes hercules club. A native shrub, devil’s walking stick has extremely large bipinnately compound leaves. The creamy white, very showy flowers appear at the top of the shrub between July and August. The fruit is a purple berry, a favorite of songbirds and other wildlife. Devil’s walking stick is often used as a border plant by landscapers.
27
58-B (63-C)
maple, Florida (Acer barbatum)
59-B (88-D)
The Florida maple is often noticed for its dangling clusters of small, yellow flowers that appear in the spring and its brilliant fall colors of red, orange and yellow. The leaves are palmately three to five lobed with smooth, somewhat rounded, edges and a white pubescent (hairy) underside. The fruit of this maple is a double winged samara (seed) that forms a 100-degree angle. Some say the sap of the Florida maple can be tapped for making syrup much like the famed sugar maple of the north. Because of other similarities, the Florida maple has often been called, " southern sugar maple". (Notice young Florida maple behind longleaf pine Kiosk) hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana)
60-C
For a description, refer to #7-A. (Pictured on page iii) elaeagnus, thorny (Elaeagnus pungens)
61-C (90-D)
The thorny elaeagnus draws its name from the sharp thorns found on its twigs. As with autumn olive, the thorny elaeagnus is also an exotic invasive species. Its distinct leaves have wavy edges and are dark green on the topside and silver with brown scales underneath. The plant blooms during the fall, displaying its creamy white to brown tubular flowers that have a strong but pleasant fragrance. Its fruits are red with silver dots. Elaeagnus is often planted on reclamation areas or as hedgerows because it is fast growing, drought tolerant and does well in a wide variety of soils. Elaeagnus bushes have been hazardous in some traffic situations because cedar waxwing birds will gorge themselves on the plant’s berries, becoming too heavy to fly. This often causes oncoming traffic to swerve to avoid hitting the fattened birds. (Notice #54, Elaeagnus umbellate) sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) The American sycamore is one of the largest of the eastern hardwoods. It is often found growing on stream banks and in bottomlands. The bark peels off in large flakes revealing patches of
28
62-C
a whitish, mottled color. Buttons were once made from the core of the ball-shaped fruit. (Large FEP specimens have not been found near a trail.) devil’s walking stick (Aralia spinosa)
63-C
For a description, refer to #58-B. (Pictured on page 27) sassafras (Sassafras albidum)
64-C
Sassafras is often identified by the strong spicy or licorice aroma of its leaves, twigs, bark and roots. It is found in the understory of forests but can also grow to be a large tree in wetter areas. The leaves of the sassafras have three distinct shapes an oval (no lobes), a mitten (one lobe) or three lobed. Its fruit, which are dark, blue berries, appear in early fall and are enjoyed by a variety of wildlife. A delicious tea can be made by boiling the outer layer of the roots while a sassafras oil extract is used in soaps, perfumes and sometimes as a flavoring in candy. oak, laurel (Quercus hemisphaerica)
65-C
The laurel oak is nearly evergreen and often found on relatively dry sandy or upland sites. It has narrowly oblong, bristle tip leaves. The acorns are small, round and with flat topped caps that cover only about Âź of the nut. This oak is often planted as a landscape tree because of its shiny evergreen leaves. azalea, wild (Rhododendron canescens) Often called "wild honeysuckle," the wild azalea is a woody shrub with light pink, sweet smelling flowers. These 4 to 5 foot shrubs typically grow along streams and in moist woods. The wild azalea was first discovered by Mark Catesby around 1730.
29
66-C
magnolia, southern (Magnolia grandiflora)
67-C
The southern magnolia is one of our most beautiful native trees and is a popular ornamental that is planted around the world in temperate climates. An evergreen with a straight trunk, the southern magnolia grows as tall as 80 feet with a diameter of 3 feet. It produces large, white flowers and cone-like fruit. The magnolia grows best in moist soils in both valley and low upland regions. The wood from this tree is used for furniture, cabinetwork, boxes and doors. In addition, the large, glossy leaves are often used by florists in floral arrangements. oak, black (Quercus velutina)
68-C
Named for the rough, dark bark found on the lower trunk of larger, older trees, the black oak is one of the large upland oaks commonly found in the Piedmont region. Its leaves have five to seven broad lobes, with conspicuous bristle tips. These leaves are thick, sometimes slightly rough on the upper surface and often with a hairy underside. They vary in shape with 5 – 9 lobes that are either shallowly or deeply lobed. Its medium-sized acorns have scales on the bowl-shaped acorn cap producing a slightly loose downward fringe at the edges. The black oak is classified in the red oak subgroup (Erythrobalanus) which can be identified by its bristle tipped leaves and its acorns which take two seasons to mature. This is the only red oak that has an orange to deep yellow inner bark compared to the pink to red inner bark of the other trees in the red oak family. The black oak’s wood is useful for flooring, trim, cabinets and furniture. In addition, its inner bark has been used in making a yellow dye. oak, white (Quercus alba)
70-C
For a description, refer to #44-B. (Pictured on page 18)
30
catalpa, southern (Catalpa bignonioides)
71-C
Also known as a "cigar tree" because of its long pod-like fruit, the southern catalpa grows well in rich, moist soil. They are often found growing next to ponds and riverbanks convenient for fishermen who use the catalpa worm for bait. The tree has large, heart-shaped leaves and its flowers are white and trumpet-shaped with purple and yellow markings. Its pods will hang on the tree through the winter then split open to release winged seeds that will float on the wind. willow, black (Salix nigra)
72-C
Sometimes called swamp willow, this plant has one of the most extensive ranges across the country. This tree grows on wet soils, especially along stream and lake banks. It often has multiple, leaning trunks and reaches a height of 100 feet. This deciduous species has shiny, green, narrowly lanced-shaped leaves. The wood is considered a soft hardwood and is used for millwork, cabinetry and boxes. In pioneer times, the wood was converted into charcoal for gunpowder. Black willows are often planted because they are fast growing shade trees; and they also are used for stabilizing soils along rivers, ponds and streams. dogwood, flowering (Cornus florida)
73-C
Considered one of the most beautiful trees in eastern North America, the flowering dogwood has very showy early spring flowers. Its bark is dark reddish brown and is broken into small square plates. The leaves are elliptical with slightly wavy edges and turn scarlet in the fall. The fruit of the dogwood is a small, elliptical, shiny red berry that provides an important food source for wildlife. The dogwood has a short trunk and a crown of spreading or nearly horizontal branches. It can attain heights of up to 30 feet. The wood of the flowering dogwood is extremely shock resistant and has been useful throughout the
31
years. It has been used for making weaving shuttles, mauls, wedges, spindles, hayforks, chisel handles and golf clubs. Indians used the aromatic bark and roots as a remedy for malaria and extracted red dye from the roots. beautyberry, American (Callicarpa Americana)
74-C
Named for its beautiful fruit, the American beautyberry produces pale pink flowers about mid-summer and in the fall, bright purple berries, clustered around the stem at regular intervals. The leaves are opposite, meaning they grow directly across from each other on the stem. The fruit is a favorite of more than 40 species of songbirds and numerous mammals. jessamine, yellow (Gelsemium sempervirens)
75-C
The fragrant, funnel-shaped flowers of the yellow jessamine are one of the first flowers to appear in the woods at the beginning of spring. Their bright golden appearance is extremely showy in the crown and branches of smaller trees. Yellow jessamine is a native vine that has semi-evergreen, slender leaves and a red-brown woody stem. Its fruit is a dry capsule that remains throughout winter and late spring. Hummingbirds and butterflies frequently visit the flowers of the yellow jessamine because of its nectar. However, the nectar and all parts of the yellow jessamine are poisonous and are not to be eaten by humans. sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum)
76-C
For a description, refer to #37-B. (Pictured on page 15) sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus) The glossy leaves, when crushed, and the burgundy colored flowers, both live up to the common name of this shrub. They exude a very sweet and pleasant fragrance (maybe strawberries or bananas?). The elliptical shaped leaves, which are opposite each other, have a white waxy underside. The flowers bloom between March and May. The fruit will become an enlarged fleshy tube
32
77-C
which matures between August and April and contains many small seeds. This young colony of sweetshrub, was a welcome sight as the bushes began growing up through the rocky outcropping. The rocks have also attracted the unique resurrection ferns which look alive only during and soon after a rain. blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica)
78-C
For a description, refer to #15-B. (Pictured on page 7) alder, hazel (Alnus serrulata)
79-C
The hazel alder is a small tree found along stream banks and in wet areas. You will notice them in many areas surrounding the pond. A beautiful thicket of hazel alder can be seen in the area where the spring enters the pond. It is known as a nitrogen fixer. This characteristic allows the tree to occupy wet sites where the soil is poor. Hazel alders are able to survive disturbances such as frequent flooding. The trees have alternate broad leaves with a wavy outside edge or margin. An interesting feature of the hazel alder is the presence of both male and female flowers on the same tree. The male flowers are long, drooping catkins and the female flowers are short, erect spikes. The hazel alder’s fruit is enclosed in a woody cone. The cone becomes mature in the fall and remains on the tree through the winter.
33
Hidden Falls History & Adventure:
80-C
Hidden Falls was so named due to its location and the fact that it was virtually hidden for so long until, about 1999 when Dr. Steve Taylor, AU Biosystems Engineering Professor, brought a GPS class to the Preserve. This hidden falls was hidden no longer!! Although a true path wasn’t cleared for several years after the discovery, it was visited by those who were a bit more adventurous. On one "adventurous" occasion, several years ago, an illusive wildlife visitor appeared before my eyes. I was heading towards the falls and was about 10' off the Powerline Trail when a beautiful big-eyed Bobcat stopped in his (or her) tracks! He was about 18' from where I was standing. I couldn’t take my eyes off this noble creature. We just starred at each other for a while...... then he started to pant, which I took as a sign of fear. I told him that I wouldn’t hurt him, thinking my voice would scare him away, but he just stood like a statue. Then, as I took one step back, he ran off with this bobbed tail disappearing into the thick vegetation surrounding the falls. This was a site I’ll never forget! Clearing a path to the waterfall had been a consideration ever since it was discovered, but there were a number of things to consider; safety being one and wildlife habitat disturbance another. The decision was constantly on the back burner until the day I shared the falls with Michael, a hard working volunteer who, immediately fell in love with the falls! That visit was all it took to convince him (and he convinced me) that it would be a positive addition to the Preserve. He spent several long weekends, in the summer of 2003, clearing a beautiful new trail. If you head north from "Reptile’s Rest," you’ll walk across the powerline to the trail’s entrance. The trail follows the creek to the falls and back out to the powerline, or walk past the falls to meet another trail, Pond View. We hope that you will sit awhile on the bench provided and enjoy the soothing sights and sounds of Hidden Falls. Margaret Holler, Coordinator
34
supplejack, Alabama (Berchemia scandens)
81-C
This twining native vine occurs on a variety of sites climbing high into trees and appearing shrub-like as it ages. The stem is tough, smooth, wiry and green with alternate shiny green leaves. The leaves have pointed tips and are pale or white underneath. The fruit is a blue-black berry that is a favorite of the bobwhite, turkey, and squirrel. privet, Chinese (Ligustrum sinense)
82-C
A very common plant, privet was imported from China and has become naturalized in the southeastern United States. Although it has become an aggressive invader in many wooded areas, privet provides cover, browse and berries for many wildlife species. It is recognized by its small green leaves, with hairy undersides, that grow opposite each other along the stem. Privet also has small white clusters of flowers and small blue berries. The elimination and/or control of non-native, invasive plants, such as privet, is an ever increasing problem. Encouraging and planting a variety of native plants is the desired alternative. For more information on invasive plants go to http://www.invasive.org or pick up a free copy (at your USDA Forest Service Office) of Non-native Invasive Plants of the Southern Forests and/or a CD of Invasive Plants of the Eastern U.S.
chinaberry (Melia azedarach)
83-D
Commonly seen around old homesite areas, the chinaberry tree was once widely planted as an ornamental plant and is still sold in nurseries. However, the tree, is now considered an invasive species as it spreads rapidly and shades out many native plants. The chinaberry has double compound leaves that are bluish-green in color. Its purplish flowers are very showy and fragrant. The tree bears long stalked clusters of round yellow berries which remain on the branches throughout the winter. The fruit, leaves and bark are poisonous to most animals when eaten. However, there are benefits to the chinaberry as it has medicinal potential with some studies showing anti-viral and anti-cancer properties.
35
mulberry, paper (Broussonetia papyrifera)
84-D
The paper mulberry was originally introduced from Asia but has become naturalized, often found along fences and roadsides. It has often been planted as a shade tree due to its rapid growth and beautifully spreading crown. The bark is tan and smooth or only slightly furrowed. The leaves of sprouts and seedlings tend to be more variously lobed and leaves of the mature trees tend to be unlobed. The upper surfaces of the leaves are extremely rough ("sandpapery") and the underside is velvety-pubescent (hairy). The first and second year twigs are especially pubescent and the sap, as with all mulberries, is milky. Unlike the tasty, blackberry-like fruit of our native red mulberry, this mulberry’s red to orange fruit is barely edible. The inner bark was once used as paper. mulberry, red (Morus rubra)
84a-D
The red mulberry is the only native mulberry in our area. Its fruit resembles dark purple raspberries and is a favorite of many birds, other wildlife and humans. The leaves are "sandpapery" above and hairy beneath and are generally unlobed heart shaped, but sometimes they will have one, two or three lobes. Milky sap will form after breaking off a leaf. The cousin of the red mulberry, the white mulberry, has provided mankind with silk since the beginning of civilization. The red mulberry never provided adequate food for the silkworm. cherry, black (Prunus serotina)
85-D
The black cherry’s bark is considered one of its most distinctive features. Younger trees display a smooth, reddish brown bark with horizontal lines (lenticels). In contrast, the mature black cherry trees develop a darker bark with shiny silver scales. The leaves are shiny with small toothed edges and small brown hairs down the midrib on the underside. The flowers of the black cherry are
36
small and white, while the fruit, first appearing in early summer, is red to purple. Because the fruit matures earlier than most other fruits and continues production into October, it is a favorite of many birds and mammals. The fruit has also been used to make jelly and as a flavoring in cordials and rum. For centuries the black cherry has been prized for its smooth-grained wood used in making beautiful furniture. honey-locust (Gleditsia triacanthos)
86-D
A member of the Legume family, the honey-locust is identified by its bean-like fruit, which consists of 8 to18 inch, flat, brown pods with sweet pulp and seeds inside. The leaves are pinnately or bipinnately compound and have shiny, dark green leaflets with toothed edges. The honey-locust’s bark is iron gray in color and smooth on young trees, however the bark on the older trees has thick ridges or loose plates. The twigs and bark may have thorns which were, at one time, used for pins, spear points, and animal traps. The sweet tasting fruit makes the tree a favorite of cattle, deer and other wildlife while the sweet nectar of the flowers is loved by the bees. pecan (Carya illinoinensis)
87-D
Although it is often seen growing on plantations along roadsides throughout the South, the pecan is not native to this area. However, it does very well in Alabama, and in Georgia, which is the leading pecan producing state. Each pecan leaf has 9 to 17 leaflets that are light green above and paler green underneath. The fruit is a popular sweet nut with a thin shell. It is thought that these trees probably stood long unknown away from any shore line until a chance discovery. From that time on, the pecan became widely planted and harvested.
37
maple, Florida (Acer barbatum)
88-D
For a description, refer to #59-B. strawberry bush (Euonymus Americana)
89-D
The strawberry bush is also called "hearts-a-busting" because of the showy, bright red fruits that burst out of a four-sectioned pink capsule each fall. Its stems are long and wiry with opposite (growing directly across from each other) leaves appearing near the ends. The leaves and stems are a favorite of whitetail deer. Its small yellowishgreen flowers emerge from the end of the leaf axis. The bark and fruits of the strawberry bush are poisonous and should never be eaten by humans. elaeagnus, thorny (Elaeagnus pungens) For a description, refer to #61-C.
38
90-D
Plant Index Sepcies # & Map Quadrant
Common Name
Genus & Species
alder, hazel azalea, Alabama azalea, wild
Alnus serrulata Rhododendron alabamense Rhododendron canescens
79 - C 39 - B 66 - C
Callicarpa Americana Fagus grandifolia
74 - C 42 - B
Betula nigra
22 - B
Picture on page 29
beautyberry, American beech, American Picture on page 17
birch, river
Picture on page 10
blackgum Picture on page 7
blueberry, Elliott buckeye, bottlebrush buckeye, red
Picture on cover
catalpa, southern
Picture on page 31
cedar, eastern red
Picture on page 11
cherry, black chinaberry croton, Alabama devil’s walking stick
Picture on page 27
dogwood, flowering
Picture on page 31
elm, American
Picture on pages 9
elm, winged
Picture on page 3
groundsel-tree hawthorn
Picture on page 6
hickory, mockernut hickory, pignut hickory, red holly, American
Picture on page 12
holly, deciduous; possum-haw honeysuckle, trumpet Picture on page 2
honeysuckle, Japanese hornbeam
Picture on page 16 Picture on page iii
hydrangea, oak-leaf jessamine, yellow
Nyssa sylvatica
15 - B & 78 - C
Vaccinium elliottii Aesculus parviflora Aesculus pavia
56 - B 10 - A 38 - B
Catalpa bignonioides
71 - C
Juniperus virginiana
25 - B & 33 - B
Prunus serotina Melia azedarach Croton alabamensis Aralia spinosa
85 - D 83 - D 35 - B 58 - B & 63 - C
Cornus florida Ulmus Americana Ulmus alata Baccharis halimifolia Crataegus spp.
73 - C 19 – B & 24 - B 6-A 5a - A 12 - A
Carya tomentosa Carya glabra Carya ovalis Ilex opaca
31 9 - A & 32 28 26
Ulmus alata Lonicera sempervirens
6a - A 4 - A & 45 - B
Lonicera japonica Carpinus caroliniana Hydrangea quercifolia Gelsemium sempervirens
43
-
B B B B
41 - B 7 - A & 60 - C 53 - B 75 - C
Common Name locust, honeyPicture on page 37
locust, black magnolia, southern magnolia, sweetbay maple, ashleaf; box-elder maple, Florida maple, red Picture on page ii
mistletoe muscadine grape mulberry, paper Picture on page 36
mulberry, red oak, black
Picture on page 30
oak, laurel oak, northern red oak, post
Picture on page 13 Picture on page 20
oak, southern red
Picture on cover
oak, water Picture on page 25
oak, white
Picture on page 18
olive, autumn Picture on page 26
paw-paw, dwarf pecan persimmon, common
Picture on page 8
pine, loblolly
Picture on cover
pine, longleaf
Picture on page 1
pine, shortleaf plum, Chickasaw poion-ivy
Picture on page 5
poplar, yellow Picture on page 10
privet, Chinese sassafrass
Picture on page 29
silverbell, Carolina sourwood
Picture on page 15
sparkleberry
Genus & Species
Gleditsia triacanthos Robinia pseudoacacia Magnolia grandiflora Magnolia virginiana Acer negundo Acer barbatum Acer rubrum Phoradendron flavescens Vitis rotundifolia Broussonetia papyrifera Morus rubra Quercus velutina Quercus hemisphaerica Quercus rubra
Sepcies # & Map Quadrant 86 - D 1a - A 67 - C 17 - B 57a - B 59 - B & 88 - D 13 - A & 46 - B 23 - B 14 - B 84 - D 84a - D 68 - C 65 - C 30 - B
Quercus stellata
27 - B & 51 - B
Quercus falcate
11 - A
Quercus nigra
52 - B
Quercus alba
44 - B & 70 - C
Elaeagnus umbellate
54 - B
Asimina parviflora Carya illinoinensis Diospyros virginiana
40 - B 87 - D 16 - B & 47 - B
Pinus taeda Pinus palustris Pinus echinata Prunus angustifolia Toxicodendron radicans
29 - B 2-A 20 - B & 50 - B 55 - B 8a - A
Liriodendron tulipifera
21 - B
Ligustrum sinense Sassafras albidum
82 - C 64 - C
Halesia tetraptera Oxydendrum arboreum Vaccinium arboreum
Picture on page 27
44
36 - B 37 - B & 76 - C 57 - B
Common Name strawberry bush Picture on page 38
sunflower, narrow-leaved; swamp Picture on page 2
sumac, smooth sumac, winged
Picture on page 3
supplejack, Alabama
Picture on page 35
sweetgum
Picture on page 19
sweetshrub
Picture on page 32
switchcane sycamore
Picture on page 28
thorny elaeagnus wax myrtle
Picture on page 4
willow, black witch hazel yaupon
Picture on page 14
Genus & Species
Sepcies # & Map Quadrant
Euonymus Americana
89 - D
Helianthus angustifolius
3-A
Rhus glabra Rhus copallinum
1-A 5-A
Berchemia scandens
81 - C
Liquidambar styraciflua
49 - B
Calycanthus floridus
77 - C
Arundinaria gigantean Platanus occidentalis
18 - B 62 - C
Elaeagnus pungens Myrica cerifera
61 - C & 90 - D 8 - A & 48 - B
Salix nigra Hamamelis virginiana
72 - C 34 - B
Ilex vomitoria
43 - B
Picture on page 17
45
Quadrant Map A #1 - 13
20
Quadrant Map B #14 - 59
21
Quadrant Map C #60 - 82
22
Quadrant Map D #83 - 90
23
Louise Kreher
Forest Ecology Preserve ~Nature Center~
An outreach program of the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences Auburn University
Open: Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday Spring & Summer: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Fall & Winter: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (or by appointment) Location: 3100 AL Hwy. 147 North (N. College St.) Auburn, Alabama Mailing Address: Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences Auburn University, AL 36849-5418 Phone: 334-502-4553 Web Site: http://www.sfws.auburn.edu/eco-site/ Mission Statement: to provide programs, experiences, nature trails, and natural habitats for education, study and relaxation for students and citizens of all ages while creating an atmosphere of discovery and stewardship toward our natural world.