Source Walks: 6-19-94 and 8-11-96
This low prominence on the southwest end of Spruce Mountain has the distinction, at 4861 feet (1482 meters) asl, of being the highest point in West Virginia. Spruce Mountain is part of a syncline in which the highest part is composed of erosion-resistant Pottsville sandstone of Pennsylvanian age (Cardwell et al, 1968). This is essentially the same rock that underlies much of the Plateau and upland of Dolly Sods, Canaan Mountain and other elevated Allegheny areas. Ranging 3000 ft (910 meters) above the North Fork of the South Branch of the Potomac, the forests that clothe Spruce Mountain vary from rich mesophytic at low elevations through Appalachian and Northern Hardwoods at mid-elevations, to spruce montane or subalpine at the highest elevations. After logging and catastrophic fires, examples of the primary forest are confined to such remnants as the Fanny Bennett Hemlock Grove (see our section on this grove). Unfortunately the secondary forest has also been degraded by roads and clearcut logging. At present much of the summit of Spruce Knob is covered by a spruce-heath type vegetation in which a variety of ericads vie with thickets of stunted or shrubby and densely-foliated Red Spruce (Picea rubens) with branches spreading over the ground. Dispersed among these major vegetation types is a considerable diversity of lichens, bryophytes and flowering plants, many of which are boreal or high montane in distribution.
Below the summit zone there is a well-developed canopy in which Northern Hardwoods are mixed with Red Spruce. Doubtless this sub-summit but high elevation forest consisted predominantly of Red Spruce in its primary state, and there is evidence that reversion is occurring at present.
Our first report here is of brief observations made on 8-11-96 at the Spruce Knob Lake campground, which lies at about 4000 ft (1220 meters) elevation. Although no detailed inventory was done, the following features were noted: The canopy here consists of young to mature (perhaps 50 years in age) American Beech (Fagus grandifolia), Red and Sugar Maples (Acer rubrum and A. saccharum) and Black Cherry (Prunus serotina), with Striped Maple (Acer pensylvanicum) in the understory and Thornless Blackberry (Rubus canadensis) at the forest edge. The only herbs seen in the time available were Curtis Goldenrod (Solidago curtisii), Mountain Bindweed (Polygonum cilinode), Hay-scented Fern (Dennstædtia punctilobula), Intermediate Shield Fern (Dryopteris intermedia), Calico Aster (Aster lateriflorus), White Avens (Geum canadense), the haircap moss Polytrichum juniperium and other mosses. A 16 inch (41 cm) dbh Red Maple contained a conspicuous tree moss that formed little mounds (cushions) perhaps 2-3 cm in diameter and 0.5 cm high (in a horizontal direction) and oval in form. From the vase-like capsule form this may have been a species of the genus Orthotrichum.
A more detailed inventory was done of the forest interior on the southeast slope of Spruce Knob at near the 4500 ft (1370 meter) level. The location of this site is just upslope from Forest Road 112, less than a mile northeast of the road fork and the 4532 (1381 meter) benchmark. The canopy here is young, perhaps less than 50 years in age. Trees in approximate order of abundance were Yellow Birch, Beech, Sugar Maple, Red Spruce, Black Cherry, Northern Red Oak (Qercus rubra) and White Ash (Fraxinus americana), with an understory of Striped Maple, hawthorn, including Dotted Thorn (Cratægus punctata ) and Alternate-leaved Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia). The herb-layer was dominated by Mountain Aster (Aster acuminatus) with abundant New York Fern (Thelypteris noveboracensis ) and the deciduous spinulose shield fern Dryopteris carthusiana. There iwas also some .Intermedia Shield Fern and the Mountain Wood Fern D. campyloptera, a species usually confined to high elevations and frost pockets. Cut-leaf Grapefern (Botrychium dissectum), Rattlesnake Fern (B. virginianum) and Lady Fern (Athyrium filix femina) also occured. Grasses included the forest “bluegrass” Poa alsodes, Fowl Mannagrass (Glyceria striata) and Slender Mannagrass (G. melicaria ), Bottlebrush Grass (Hystrix patula), Nodding Fescue (Festuca obtusa), Autumn Bent (Agrostis perennans) and Drooping Wood Reed Grass (Cinna latifolia). In places there were large patches of the sedge Carex laxiflora, and in springy areas, Carex gynanadra. More scattered were Carex debilis, C. intumescens and C. gracillima. Both Indian Turnip (Arisæma triphyllum) and Green Dragon (Arisæma dracontium) were observed. Violets were represented by Downy Wood Violet (Viola sororia). Round-leaf Violet (V. rotundifolia) and Sweet White Violet (V. blanda). Mountain Bindweed, Canada Mayflower ( Maianthemum canadense), White Hellebore (Veratrum viride ) and White Wood Sorrel (Oxalis montana ) emphasized the elevation. Also on this list should be the northern Joe-pye Weed Eupatorium maculatum, which however shared this habitat with its more widespread congeners Wide-leaved Joe-pye Weed (E. purpurea) and White Snakeroot (E. rugosum). Others, also more widespread in habitat, included Virginia and Woodland Strawberries (Fragaria virginiana and F. vesca), Hairy Sweet Cicely (Osmorhiza claytonii), Wood Nettle (Laportia canadensis), Calico Aster, Turtlehead (Chelone glabra), Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa), Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides), Curtis Goldenrod, Indian Pipe (Monotropa uniflora) and Ground Pine (Lycopodium flabelliforme). The dominantly Appalachian Bleeding Heart (Dicentia eximia) also occurs here, and although not noted on this side of the road, Wild Sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis) was quite abundant on the other side. No ericaceae were seen in this forest.
The rock which presumably underlies this sub summit forest is the Mississippian Mauch Chunk Formation, which in some places contains carbonate beds. Nutrients from such beds could explain the relatively rich mesic character of this forest.
The roadside in the vicinity of this forest was extraordinarily rich in rank herbage and shrubbery that included Jewelweed (Impatiens sp.), various species of Eupatorium, Cow Parsnip (Heracleum maximum), Red Elderberry (Sambucus pubens), Mountain Maple (Acer spicatum), Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), Mountain Ash (Pyrus americana), Red Raspberry (Rubus strigosus) and Thornless Blackberry. Both of the last two named were heavy with ripe fruit. It is possible that this vegetation was enhanced by the availability of lime from the gravel as well as drainage interruption by the road.
Little opportunity was afforded for more than a cursory exploration of the forest between 4500 ft (1370 meters) and the summit. However on 6-19-94 a brief observation was made of the forest interior near the 4700 (1430 meters) level. In contrast to the forest inventoried below, the aspect here is westerly. The same general tree species were present, but appeared stunted and may have been younger. The ground flora is mesic and both White Wood Sorrel and Star Flower (Trientalis borealis) were in bloom.
The summit area of Spruce Knob presents a wild scene of jumbled rock fields and wind-whipped vegetation. As in similar places in the Alleghenies, the Red Spruce have banner forms that reveal the direction of the prevailing wind, while their heavily-foliaged branches interlock and lie flat against the rocks. Although the summit vegetation was inventoried on both visits, that done on 8-11-96 was more detailed. On that visit a counter clockwise traverse was made along the loop trail around the highest part of the summit, beginning at the parking lot. Observations made on 6-19-94 were more scattered but complement the others. The tally of species encountered along the loop trail is presented here in the order in which they were noticed but does not imply that they occur nowhere else on the summit. Scientific names in general are given only for species not listed previously for the Mountain.
At the parking lot a low heath type vegetation dominates, with abundant Early Low Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) intergrown with a dense, light colored, almost white, fructicose lichen that, from its form and general field characteristics, is probably Cladina rangiferina or “Reindeer Moss.” Other heaths are Southern Mountain Cranberry (Vaccinium erythrocarpum) and Minnie-bush (Menziesia pilosa). Lighting this August scene were scattered tall blooms of Great Willow-herb (Epilobium angustifolium ). Proceeding along the trail we successively encountered Mountain Holly, Thornless Blackberry with still -green fruit, Red Maple, Painted Trillium (Trillium undulatum), Canada Mayflower, Tree Clubmoss (Lycopodium obscurum), Common Clubmoss (L. clavatum), Wrinkled-leaf Goldenrod (Solidago rugosa), Mountain Maple, Mountain Aster in bloom, Hay-scented Fern, Cedar Waxwing birds (Bombycilla cedrorum) in spruce tops, Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis) with red berries, low bushes of Bush Honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera), also in the midst of the Cladina and Bracken Fern ( Pteridium aquilinum). Most of these signal severe or boreal habitats. However this sequence was then punctuated by tall blooms of Cutleaf Goldenrod (Solidago arguta var. arguta ), a species at home over a great range of elevations and habitats. Next recorded were Bleeding Heart, here in bloom; the alien Field Sorrel (Rumex acetosella), Hairgrass, Plume Moss (Ptillium crista-castrensis), the equally conspicuous moss Schreber’s Hypnum (Pleurozium schreberi) and Yellow Birch. Near the trail, on a rocky flat, a sort of “boreal garden” attracted us with its tall white-flowered Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea), stunted Red Raspberry and clumps of grass and sedge (see photos). Nearby Appalachian montane Downy Heuchera (Heuchera pubescens) elevated its flower stalks in the shelter of quartzite blocks. In this vicinity also, the bark of Red Spruce was host to lichens, including a Psedevernia, perhaps P. consocians and a Cetraria with conspicuous picnidia.
Resuming the inventory along the trail, we recorded the haircap moss Polytrichum junipernum, Rough Cinquefoil (Potentilla norvegica), a circumpolar species both native and introduced; a single clump of the sedge Carex brunnescens, a lover of “dry exposed mountain summits” (Strausbaugh and Core, 1977) ; Smooth Gooseberry (Ribes rotundifolia), Red Elderberry, the alien Meadow Buttercup (Ranunculus acris), the widespread and South-ranging Rose Pink (Sabatia angularis), Mountain Fern Moss (Hylocomium splendens), a Yellow Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio sp.), Fowl Mana Grass, White Snakeroot, Red Fescue (Festuca rubra), Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) in bloom, Filmy Angelica (Angelica triquinata ), with both flowers and seeds; Red Raspberry, with ripe fruit at the trail edge; Skunk Current (Ribes glandulosum), always an indicator of cold climate; the alien Field Basil (Satureja vulgaris) in bloom; Purple-leaved Willow-herb (Epilobium coloratum) in seed; Drooping Wood Reedgrass, a Winter Cress (Barbarea sp.) and a Wild Rye with spikes still sheathed (probably Elymus canadensis). Here also, although the weather was cool, many unidentified small wild bees as well as bumblebee workers as small as Honey Bees (Apis mellifera), patronized Eupatorium maculatum. However no Honey Bees were seen on the entire Mountain. Now, approaching the observation tower, we encountered White Lettuce (Prenanthes alba), also in bloom; Sweet-scented Bedstraw (Galium triflorum) in fruit; Tall Agrimony (Agrimonia gryposepala) in seed and flower; a little of the alien Garlic Mustard (Alliaria officinalis) at the trail edge; Black Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis), in perhaps a patch of better than average soil; Silky Willow (Salix sericea), Virginia Strawberry, a Towhee (Pipilo erythophthalmus), the alien Vipers Bugloss (Echium vulgare ) and an unidentified hawthorn.
Approaching the turn of the trail to the southeast, above the rocky precipitous slope, there is conspicuous Mountain Ash and Mountain Bindweed. Then passing beneath a low spruce canopy, we saw successively Sweet White Violet, White Wood Sorrel, Yellow Clintonia (Clintonia borealis), a lone Hemlock, an Amanita flavoconia fungus, haircap moss (Polytrichum sp.) and a single plant of Nodding Onion (Allium cernuum), still not in bloom, and, as some other plants here, a true “accidental.” Now, proceeding again in the open among great rocks above the precipitous southeast slope, we recorded the last of previously unrecorded plants, namely a single plant of Rock Fern (Polypodium virginianum), Smooth Serviceberry (Amelanchier lævis) with red berries, Leucobryum cushion moss, Big-leaf Aster (Aster macrophyllus), Mountain Azalea (Rhododendron roseum), the other “Mountain Holly” (Nemopanthus mucranatus) and Pink Ladyslipper (Cypripedium acaule).
Observations on 6-19-94, a day on which the Mountain was wrapped in thundershowers, disclosed additional species and seasonal variations in the summit area. These included Fire Cherry (Prunus pensylvanica), the song of Veeries (Catharus fuscescens), and most interesting, two males of a reddish bird, most likely the Purple Finch (Carpodacus purpureus), singing conspicuously on the tops of two spruce, perhaps 200 ft (60 meters) apart. This observation was followed by one equally exciting, namely the flight, only a little above the treetops, of a large accipiter which could only have been a Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis). Noteworthy also was spotting several large rabbits, which may have been New England Cottontails (Sylvilagus transitionalis). In short, the thundery skies, the birds and Bunchberry, Mountain Ash and the Mountain Azalea in full-bloom, added a seasonal dimension to our future August visit to these inspiring heights.
The observations recorded here may be compared to those made by Brooks (1910) eighty six years before on 6-18-08. Although his tally of species is, in some respects, less complete than ours, he also reported Bunchberry, Mountain Aster and Bleeding Heart in bloom. However, he also reported some plants we missed. These are White Pine (Pinus strobus), Teaberry (Gautheria procumbens ), Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia), Black Huckleberry (Gaylusscia baccata), Trailing Arbutus (Epigea repens ), Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa), Cinnamon Fern (Osmunda cinnamomea), Large Round-leaved Orchid (Habenaria orbiculata) and Ground Pine.
As noted by Brooks as well as subsequent investigators, Spruce Mountain has a fauna which to a large degree replicates that of the north. Examples, in addition to those observed in our inventory, are Varying Hare (Lepus americanus), Red Squirrel (Sciurus hudsonicus), Southern Bog Lemming (Synaptomys cooperi), Swainson’s Thrush (Catharus ustulatus), Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa), as well as many others that occur at higher elevations in the Central Appalachians.
Source Walk: 7-15-04
Bryophytes were collected at several stations near and on the summit of Spruce Knob and later identified under the microscope by Dr. Robert Hunsucker. The character of the vascular flora and substrates at each station were also noted.
Station 1 was located about 0.3 mile (0.5 km) from FR 112 along the road to the summit. Vegetation here included the following trees and shrubs: Red Spruce, Yellow Birch, Sugar Maple, Black Cherry, Mountain Holly, Mountain Maple, Mountain Ash, Minnie-bush, Southern Mountain Cranberry and Red Elderberry. Herbs noted were Hairy Sweet Cicely mountain Woodfern ( Dryopteris campyloptera), Mountain Aster, White Wood Sorrel, Canada Mayflower, Indian Turnip, Yellow Clintonia, Sweet White Violet, Bleeding Heart, Sweet-scented Bedstraw, Hay-scented Fern, the grass Poa autumnalis and White Snakeroot.
At this station the following habitats yielded the listed bryophytes [Liverworts (Hicks, 1992) are indicated by the symbol (L)]
(A) on the ground and other substrates:
Brachytheciumcf oxycladon
Eurhynchium hians
Hylocomium splendens
Mnium affine
Mnium cuspidatum
Pleurozium schreberi
Thuidium delicatulum(B) on soil over rocks and on rocks:
Brachythecium campestre
Brachytheciumcf oxycladon
Brachytheciumcf populeum
Brachythecium rutabulum
Brachythecium sp
Eurhynchium hians
Grimmia apocarpa var gracilis
Homomallium adnatum
Mnium affine
Mnium cuspidatum
Ptilium crista-castrensis
Thuidium dlicatulum
Tortella humilis(C) on rotting fallen trees, shrubs, branches, stumps:
Amblystegium serpens
Brachythecium curtum
Brachythecium sp
Chiloscyphus profundus (L)
Hypnum curvifolium
Hypnum pallescens
Mnium affine
Mnium cuspidatum
Ptilium crista-castrensis
Thuidium delicatulum(D) on bark at bases of Red Spruce, Black Cherry, Mountain Maple, exposed roots:
Amblystegium serpens
Brachythecium rutabulum (fertile)
Brachythecium spp
Brotherella recurvans
Chiloscyphus profundus (L)
Entodon compressus
Frullania brittoniae (L)
Hypnum pallescens
Mnium cuspidatum
Orthotrichum stellatum (fertile)
Plagiothecium laetum
Ptilidium pulcherrimum (L)
Pylaisiella sp (sterile)
Rhynchostegium serrulatum
Thuidium delicatulum
Ulota crispaStation 2 was in an open area with low saplings, shrubs and herbs that include Red Spruce, Red Maple, Nemopnthus mucronatus, Southern Mountain Cranberry, Minnie-bush, Early Low Blueberry, Thornless Blackberry, Bunchberry, Crinkled Hairgrass (Deschampsia flexuosa), Canada mayflower, Pink Ladyslipper, Painted Trillium and Tree Clubmoss. Bryophytes of the lettered habitats were as follows:
(A) on soil over rock:
Brachythecium oxycladon
Brachythecium sp
Chiloscyphus profundus (L)
Dicranum scoparium
Entodon compressus
Hypnum fertile
Hypnum pallescens
Leucobryum glaucum
Platygyrium repens
Pleurozium schreberi
Ptilidium pulcherrimum (L)(B) on the ground, decaying plant litter, humus:
Dicranum scoparium
Hypnum curvifolium
Hypnum sp
Pleurozium schreberi
Polytrichum piliferum(C) on bases of hawthorn, Mountain Ash, Black Cherry and other small trees:
Brachythecium curtum
Brachythecium oxycladon
Bryum sp
Homomallium adnatum
Hypnum pallescens
Mnium cuspidatum
Orthotrichum stellatum
Platygyrium repens
Pottiaceae (unid; 2 spp)
Thuidium delicatulum
Ulota crispa(D) on standing dead wood (snags):
Brotherella recurvans
Brotherella tenuirostris
Chiloscyphus profundus (L)
Hypnum pallescens
Mnium cuspidatum
Plagiothecium laetum
Platygyrium repens
Pottiaceae (unid)
Ptilidium pulcherrimum (L)
Thuidium delicatulum
Ulota crispaStation 3 was an open shrubby and sapling-rich area located about 500 feet (150 m) in elevation below the summit on a west slope exposed to high winds. The vegetation consisted of scattered Red Spruce, Smooth Serviceberry, Dotted Thorn, Minnie-bush, unidentified wild gooseberry, early Low Blueberry, Red Raspberry, Smooth Gooseberry, Woodland Strawberry, Pearly Everlasting, Ox-eye Daisy, Red Fescue, Poa canadensis, Hay-scented Fern, Cut-leaf Goldenrod, Rough-leaf Goldenrod, Yarrow, Mountain Aster and the sedge Carex intumescens.: Bryophytes of the lettered habitats were as follows:
(A) on soil and humus:
Anomodon rostratus
Brachythecium oxycladon
Bryum sp
Ceratodon purpureus
Mnium cuspidatum
Thuidium delicatulum
Tortella humilis(B) on thin soil or humus over rocks
Anomdon rostratus
Brachythecium curtum
Brachythecium oxycladon
Brachythecium rutabulum
Bryum sp (sterile)
Campylium chrysophyllum
Ceratodon purpureus
Dicranum scoparium
Encalypta procera
Grimmia sp (sterile)
Hedwigia ciliata
Homomallium adnatum
Mnium cuspidatumStation 4 Spruce Knob summit, in the vicinity of the tower: Bryophytes of the lettered habitats were as follows:
(A) on bases of and on exposed roots of Red Spruce, Downy Serviceberry, Mountain Ash, Nemopnthus mucronatus, Mountain Holly, Minnie-bush, Mountain Azalea, with Bunchberry, Canada Mayflower, Painted Trillium, Stiff Clubmoss, Tree Clubmoss, and Mountain Aster.
Dicranum fucescens
Hypnum curvifolium
Leucobryum glaucum
Tetraphis pellucida (on rotting stump)
Ulota crispa
(B) on bases and exposed roots of hardwood trees and shrubs:Frullania riparia (L)
Hypnum pallescens
Leucobryum glaucum
Plagiothecium laetum
Platygyrium repens
Ptilidium pulcherrimum (L)
Pylaisiella polyantha
Rhynchostegium serrulatum
Ulota crispaStation 5; ruderal area, full sun, community of native and non-native, mainly perennial herbs, such as Yarrow, the grass Festuca elatior, Wrinkled-leaf Goldenrod (Solidago rugosa var compressa ), Ox-eye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), Daisy Fleabane (Erigeron annuus), Boot's Goldenrod (Solidago arguta var bootii), Awnless Brome (Bromus inermis), the native Self-heal Prunella vulgaris var laceolata and Stiff Gentian (Gentiana quinquefolia.). Bryophytes of the lettered habitats were as follows:
(A) on ground and humus:
Brachythecium oxycladon
Climacium americanum
Entodon compressus
Thuidium delicatulum(B)on sandstone rockand soil over rock:
Amblstegium varium
Bazzania trilobata (L)
Brachythecium curtum
Brachythecium oxycladon
Brachythecium sp
Brotherella recurvans
Bryum argentium
Bryum sp
Chiloscyphus profundus (L)
Dicranum scoparium
Entodon compressus
Hedwigia ciliata
Hypnum curvifoium
Hypnum pallescens
Mnium cuspidatum
Orthotrichum stellatum
Platygyrium repens
Pleurozium schreberi
Polytrichum piliferum
Ptilidium pulcherrimum (L)
Ptilium crista-castrensis
Rhynchostegium serrulatum
Thuidium delicatulumStation 6 on summit, east side of tower; the canopy varied from open to closed and consisted of Red Spruce, Northern Red Oak, Black Birch, Red Maple and one Yellow Birch. Small trees and shrubs were Mountain and Striped Maples, Mountain Holly, Nemopanthus mucronatus, Bush Honeysuckle, Minnie-bush, Mountain Azalea, Thornless Blackberry, Southern Mountain Cranberry and Early Low Blueberry. Herbs and sub-shrubs were Bristly Sarsaparilla (Aralia hispida), Mountain Oatgrass, Mountain Aster, Crinkled Hairgrass, Eastern Bracken Fern, Bunchberry, White Snakeroot, Painted Trillium and Boot's Goldenrod. Bryophytes of the lettered habitats were as follows:
(A) on the ground and humus:
Brachythecium oxycladon
Bryum spp (sterile)
Dicranum sp
Hedwigia ciliata
Leucobryum glaucum
Pleurozium schreberi(B) on bark and exposed roots of trees and shrubs:
Hypnum pallescens
Leucobryum glaucum(C) on large stumps, branches and trunks of standing dead trees and saplings:
Brotherella recurvans
Dicranum scoparium
Hypnum pallescensThe frequencies of the bryophyte taxa in the 17 habitat groups are as follows:
9 Brachythecium oxycladon
9 Hypnum pallescens
9 Mnium cuspidatum
9 Thuidium delicatulum
5 Chiloscyphus profundus (L)
5 Dicranum scoparium
5 Leucobryum glaucum
5 Platygyrium repens
5 Pleurozium schreberi
5 Ptilidium pulcherrimum (L)
5 Ulota crispa
4 Brachythecium curtum
4 Brothrella recurvans
4 Entodon compressus
4 Hypnum curvifolium
3 Brachythecium rutabulum
3 Hedwigia ciliata
3 Mnium affine
3 Orthotrichum stellatum
3 Plagiothecium laetum
3 Ptilium crista-castrensis
3 Rhynchostegium serrulatum
2 Amblystegium serpens
2 Anomodon rostratus
2 Ceratodon purpureus
2 Eurhynchium hians
2 Homomallium adnatum
2 Polytrichum piliferum
2 Pottiaceaesp
2 Tortella humilis
1 Amblystegium varium
1 Bazzania trilobata (L)
1 Brachythecium campestre
1 Brachythecium cf populeum
1 Brotherella tenuirostris
1 Bryum argenteum
1 Campylium chrysophyllum
1 Climacium americanum
1 Dicranum fuscesens
1 Encalypta procera
1 Frullania brittoniae (L)
1 Frullania riparia (L)
1 Grimmia apocarpa
1 Hylocomium splendens
1 Hypnum fertile
1 Pylaisiella polyantha
1 Tetraphis pellucida
6-19-94 Spruce Knob summit
Ground flora, including Cornus canadensis, Solidago uliginosa (?) and Vacuinium angustifolium.
Click for a larger version.
6-19-94 Spruce Knob summit
Oxalis montana, Trientalis borealis
Click for a larger version.
6-19-94 Spruce Knob summit
6-19-94 Spruce Knob summit
Mtn. Ash in bloom.
6-19-94 Spruce Knob summit.
8-11-96 Spruce Knob Summit. Rubus strigosus, Anaphalis margaritacea, Epilobium angustifolium.
(Click to enlarge.)
8-11-96 Spruce Knob Summit. Heuchera pubescens. Note quartzite bedrock.
(Click to enlarge.)
8-11-96 Spruce Knob Summit. Diervilla lonicera, Vaccium angustifolium, Cladina rangiferina.
(Click to enlarge.)
Summary
The upper parts of Spruce Mountain are comprised of a variety of habitats, although all appear to have been heavily impacted by human activity. While there are rich sub-summit forests, all appear to be not only secondary but also young in age. The summit area of Spruce Knob, in contrast to the sub-summit forests, is exposed to such severe conditions of low and variable temperatures, high winds, ice and other climatic stresses that recovery from natural or man-made impacts is more difficult and far slower. These factors are expressed in the floras, the amount of open areas, degree of vegetation stunting and ruderal habitat. The different areas should be considered in terms of general stability relations of their floras with respect to microclimate, substrate and other environmental factors that have shaped them and govern their species composition ( Mueller, 2000).
It was found that although the sub-summit forest of Spruce Knob is home to a wealth of northern and montane species, it is also rich in those with wider distributions. In contrast the summit vegetation clearly contains a higher proportion of cold climate species. These amount to at least 25 boreal and 9 high elevation vascular plants, out of nearly 80 recorded In addition, many of the other species also have northern as well as temperate distributions. Also, if bryophytes are considered, this pattern is sustained. However, the bryophtes also exhibit another characteristic, namely an abundance of species both common and those associated with disturbed habitats, according to Crum and Anderson (1981) (here referred to as C&A). For example, Bracythecium oxycladon, one of the most frequently occurring species at Spruce Knob, is generally common and widespread, while Bryum argentium and Ceratodon purpureus are cosmopolitan "weed" species (C&A). A standout among northerners is Brachythecium campestre, which according to C&A, has a range that extends only as far south as Pennsylvania in the eastern US. Among many others with northern distributions that extend south at higher elevations along the Appalachians to North Carolina or Tennessee, are Brachythecium curtum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Encalpta procera, Dicranum fucescens, Plagiothecium laetum ("usually in coniferous woods", according to C&A), Pylaisiella polyantha ( "boreal" according to C&A) Brotherella recurvans and Tetraphis pellucida., with the last two species characteristic of a variety of northeastern coniferous forests. Another interesting feature here is the small number of liverwort species, which may reflect exposure to the drying effect of the rocky soil and strong winds.
Acknowledgements
We greatly appreciate the critical contributions to these inventories of Robert Hunsucker as well as the fiscal assistance of Patagonia Corp. and Save America's Forests.
References
Brooks, A. B. (1910)Forestry and Wood Industry. West Virginia Geological Survey, Volume Five. Acme Publication Co., Printers and Binders, Morgantown, West Va.
Cardwell, Dudley H., Robert B. Erwin, Herbert P. Woodward and Charles W. Lotz, compilers (1968 ) Geologic Map of West Virginia, slightly revised 1986, West Virginia Geologic and Economic Survey,
Crum, Howard A. and Lewis E. Anderson (1981) Mosses of Eastern North America. in two volumes, Columbia University Press, New York, N. Y.
Hicks, Marie L. (1992) Guide to the Liverworts of North Carolina..Duke University Press, Durham, North Carolina.
Mueller, R. F. (2000) Stability Relations in Forests. Forests of the Central Appalachians Project, Virginians for Wilderness Web Site.
Strausbaugh and Core (1997)Flora of West Virginia, second edition. Seneca Books, Grantsville, West Virginia.