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by Dr. Robert Hunsucker on 8-18-07 of a section of the stream above Little
California in the George Washington National Forest
Vascular Plants in order of life form; alien species are
indicated by an asterisk.
Bryophytes
Mosses
Liverworts
Upper Brattons Run
Rockbridge County,
Virginia
Surveys
Pinus strobus (White Pine) -occasional in
well-drained soil on stream banks; seedlings in moist to wet seepages
Tsuga canadensis (Canada Hemlock) -frequent along
stream and in mesic to wet areas
Liriodendron tulipifera (Tuliptree) -seedlings
and saplings in wet areas; trees bordering streams and other wet areas;
frequent
Platanus occidentalis (Sycamore) -wet to mesic
areas along stream; openings
Quercus alba (White Oak) -seedlings, small
saplings in wet to moist soils; trees bordering seeps, stream
Betula lenta (Black Birch) -moist soils bordering
seeps, stream; frequent
Nyssa sylvatica (Black Gum) -common in moist
woods
Acer rubrum (Red Maple) -saplings to trees occur
in wet to dry habitats
Lindera benzoin (Spice Bush) -in moist woods of
floodplain; occasional
Rubus hispidus var caricetorum (Bristly
Dewberry) -infrequent at wet border of stream
*Rosa multiflora (Multiflora Rose) -scattered
almost throughout
Alnus serrulata (Smooth Alder) -common in
seepage, marshy and boggy soil, borders of streams
Rhododendron maximum (Great Rhododendron)-abundant along a few streams
Rhodendron calendulaceum (Flame Azalea) -in moist
to wet soil in open low woods
Kalmia latifolia (Mountain Laurel) -some shrubs
growing in wet soil; frequent in mesic woods
Lyonia ligustrina (Maleberry) -common locally to
scattered plants
Vaccinium corymbosum (High-bush Blueberry)-frequent in mesic to wet soil near streams; in swampy, boggy places
Hydrangea arborescens (Wild Hydrangea)-occasional in moist rocky soil
Cornus amomum (Silky Cornel) -frequent in seeps,
along streams
Ilex verticillata (Winterberry Holly) -common in
seeps, marshy and boggy ground
Viburnum dentatum (Southern Arrowwood) -moist to
wet soil around seepage areas, open woods, borders of streams
Sambucus canadensis (Black Elderberry)-occasional in wet soil
Epigaea repens (Trailing Arbutus) -infrequent,
bank of Run
Gaultheria procumbens (Teaberry) -some plants in
near-wet soils bordering seeps; frequent to common in woods
Parthenocissus quinquefolius (Virginia Creeper)-in moist borders of streams, wet areas
Vitis labrusca (Fox Grape) -occasional in moist
to wet thickets
Vitis vulpina (Winter Grape) -same habitat as
Vitis labrusca
Osmunda regalis (Royal Fern) -frequent in seepage
areas, mesic to wet soil
Osmunda cinnamomea (Cinnamon Fern) -common in
moist to wet areas bordering the stream
Osmunda claytoniana (Interrupted Fern) -Infrequent
in open moist forest
Dennstaedtia punctilobula (Hay-scented Fern)-moist to dry open woods
Athyrium filix-femina (Southern Lady Fern)-frequent in moist woods and along Run
Thelypteris palustris (Marsh Fern) -frequent in
some boggy areas, bodering muck patches, meadow
Thelypteris noveboracensis (New York Fern) -common in open wet woods,
mesic habitats
Dropteris cristata (Crested Woodfern) -locally
numerous in open wet woods, marshy areas
Polystichum acrostichoides ( Christmas Fern)-infrequent in wet places, mostly mesic open woods, stream banks
Onoclea sensibilis (Sensitive Fern) -frequent in
some seepage areas, open wet woods and meadows
Equesetum arvense (Common Horsetail) -locally
numerous in moist to wet soil
Alisma subcordatum (Water Plantain) -infrequent
in marsh
Arisaema triphyllum (Jack-in-the-pulpit) -frequent
in mesic woods and in flood plain
Commelina sp. (unid. dayflower) -infrequent on
stream bank
Oleocharis ovata (Ovate Spikerush) -several
plants in open wet meadow
Leersia oryzoides (Rice Cutgrass) -infrequent in wet, full sun
habitat
Leersia virginica (White Grass) -common in wet,
full sun habitat
Panicum dichotomum (Forked Panic Grass) -common
throughout, wet to dry habitats
Panicum clandestinum (Deer-tongue Grass) -common
in open wet habitats
Panicum polanthes (Small-fruited Panic Grass) -locally several
in seasonally wet depressions with Polytrichum commune, Hypericum
mutilum etc.
Festuca obtusa (Nodding Fescue) -occasional in
moist woods by stream
Cinna arundinacea (Common Wood Reed) -occasional
in moist woods by stream
Glyceria striata (Fowl Mannagrass) -frequent in
wet areas
Glyceria melicaria (Slender Mannagrass) -frequent in
wet ground (forms large clumps, tufts, sometimes large areas
Agrostis perennans (Autumn Bent Grass) -frequent
in moist low areas
*Microstegium vimineum (Japanese Stilt Grass)-widespread, rampant
Cyperus strigosus-infrequent in wet soil
Scirpus polyphyllus-locally numerous in muck and
wet soil
Scirpus atrovirens-scattered in moist to wet open
areas
Carex torta-frequent in and along Run
Carex leptalea-locally several in wet meadow and
marsh
Carex baileyi-infrequent in wet meadow and marshy
areas
Carex lurida-infrequent in wet meadow and marshy
areas
Carex gynandra-frequent in open wet ground
Carex intumescens-occasional in moist areas
bordering the Run
Carex spp.-perhaps 1/2 dozen without perigynia
Juncus effusus (Common Rush) -a few plants in mud
and muck
Juncus tenuis (Slender Rush) -a few plants in mud
and muck
Habenaria clavellata (Small Green Wood Orchid) -infrequent
in mucky soil at edges of seepages
Anemone quinquefolia (Wood Anemone) -locally
several in moist woods
Ranunculus recurvatus (Hooked Crowfoot) -infrequent
in moist woods, borders of stream
Thalictrum pubescens (Tall Meadowrue) -seepage
areas, wet open woods, meadows
Boehmeria cylindrica (False Nettle) -mesic to wet
areas, borders of seepages, meadows, marshes
Pilea pumila (Clearweed) -common in moist shaded
areas
Laportea canadensis (Wood Nettle) -moist woods
along stream
*Barbarea vulgaris (Bittercress) -frequent in
moist sunny ground
Polygonum punctatum (Water Smartweed) -frequent
in wet soil
Polygonum sagittatum (Arrow-leaf Tearthumb)-frequent in wet soil, meadows, marshy places
*Rumex obtusifolius (Bitter Dock) -scatteren in
wet, open ground
Hypericum mutilum (Dwarf St. Johnswort) -frequent
in sunny wet soil
Hypericum punctatum (Dotted St. Johnswort) -in
moist soil bordering seepages
Lysimachia quadrifolia (Whorled Loosestrife)-infrequent in open wet soil
Viola sororia (Common Blue Violet) -frequent in
mesic to wet soils
Sedum ternatum (Wild Stonecrop) -on wet rock
along stream
Penthorum sedoides (Ditch Stonecrop) -infrequent
in seepage muck
Parnassia asarifolia (Kidney-leaf Grass of
Parnassus) -locally up to 50+ plants in one close population, but only two
populations noted, one small; in flower, but no flowers seen
Geum canadense (White Avens) -moist woods
bordering stream
Apios americana (Groundnut) -occasional in sunny
to partly shady moist soils in meadows, along streams
Ludwigia palustris (Marsh Seedbox) -occasional in
muck, mud, shallow water
Epilobium coloratum (Purple-leaf Willowherb) -occasional
to frequent in seeps, marshy and swampy areas
Circaea lutetiana (Enchanters Nightshade) -moist
soils bordering streams
Impatiens pallida (Pallid Jewelweed) -common in
moist to wet areas
Impatiens capensis (Spotted Jewelweed) -common in moist to wet areas
Cicuta maculata (Water Hemlock) -occasional in
mud and muck
Oxypolis rigidior (Stiff Cowbane) -infrequent in
wet open ground
Cryptotaenia canadensis (Honewort) -in moist to
wet shaded soils
Asclepias incarnata (Swamp Milkweed) -infrequent
in open swampy and marshy areas
Myosotis sp. (Myosotis laxa ?) (
Small-flowered Forget-me-not) -infrequent in shallow water
Verbena hastata (Blue Vervain) -infrequent in wet
meadow
Chelone glabra (Turtlehead) -frequent in seepage
areas, swampy and boggy soils
Mimulus ringens (Common Monkey Flower)-occasional in moist to wet meadows, wet depressions
Mitchella repens (Partridge Berry) -common on
banks and on Brattons Run Flood Plain
Hedyotis caerulea (Quaker-ladies) -on moist soil,
banks and flood plain of stream
Scutellaria lateriflora (Blue Skullcap) -occasiona
in moist to wet soils
Mentha arvensis (Wild Mint) -infrequent in
standing water of ditch
Collinsonia canadensis (Horsebalm) -in moist soil
bordering stream
Lycopus uniflorus (Northern Bugleweed) -frequent
in seepage areas, swampy ground
Lycopus virginicus (Water Horehound) -frequent in
seepage areas, swampy ground
Galium triflorum (Sweet-scented Bedstraw) -in
moist ground bordering stream
Galium tinctorium (Marsh Bedstraw) -infrequent in
marshy area
Gratiola neglecta (Hedge Hyssop) -infrequent in
mud
Lindernia dubia (False Pimpernel) -infrequent in
mud
Veronica americana (American Brooklime) -infrequent
in stream border
Aster divaricatus (White Wood Aster) -common
along stream in mesic areas
Aster prenanthoides (Crooked Stem Aster)-frequent in wet places
Solidago gigantea (Late Goldenrod) -common in
moist to wet areas
Solidago rugosa (Wrinkle-leaf Goldenrod) -common
in moist open areas
Rubeckia laciniata (Tall Coneflower) -occasional
in moist to wet habitats
Verbesina occidentalis (Yellow Crownbeard) -infrequent
in moist to wet thickets
Bidens spp. (unid. beggar-tick) -frequent in wet
places (not in flower)
Senecio aureus (Golden Ragwort) -common in moist
to wet areas
Eupatorium pupureum (Purple Joe-pye Weed)-frequenton moist ground
Eupatorium fistulosum (Hollow-stemed Joe-pye Weed)-occasional in low, wet areas, borders of streams
Eupatorium perfoliatum (Boneset) -occasional in
low, wet areas, borders of streams
Vernonia noveboracensis (New York Ironweed)-occasional in low, wet areas, borders of streams
Collecting
was limited to the stream, its banks and near flood plain, spring branches and
seepages
Amblystegium tenax-on wet rocks in stream
Amblystegium varium-on moist soil along stream
Atrichum crispum-on wet humic soil along seepage
Atrichum undulatum-on wet humic soil along seepage
and stream
Aulocomnium palustre-on wet soil in open marshy
area
Brachythecium plumosum?-on moist rock in stream
Brachythecium rivulare-on humus bordering seepage
Brachythecium sp.-on moist soil in open woods by stream
Bryhnia novae-angliae-on soil in seepage areas and
in wet depressions of flood plain forest
Plagiothecium denticulatum-on wet humic soil at
seepage edge
Bryum pseudotriquetrum-on wet soil bordering
seepage area
Bryum sp.-on wet humic soil in seepage area
Climacium americanum-on wet humic soil bordering
seepage area
Dicranella rufescens-on wet soil along Run
Dicranum scoparium-on moist soil of flood plain of
Run
Ditrichum sp.-on dry bank of stream
Drepanocladus aduncus-on wet humic soil of seepage
area
Entodon cladorrhizans-on down bole in floodplain
Euryhynchium hians-on humic soil bordering seepage
Euryhynchium riparioides-in both submerged and wet
sandstone in running water of Run
Fissidens bushii-on soil on stream bank (not wet)
Fissidens cristatus-on decaying wood bordering
seepage area
Fontinalis novae-angliae-on submerged branches in
stream
Hygrohypnum eugyrium-on wet rocks in stream
Hypnum imponens-on soil and rotting hardwood in
seepage areas
Hypnum lindbergii-on wet humic soil at edge of
small pool
Hypnum pallescens-at base of hardwood tree along
stream
Isopterygium elegans-on moist humic soil bordering
seeps and moist stream banks
Leskea obscura-on base of Black Oak near stream
Leucobryum albidum-on soil, down boles and bases
of trees along stream
Mnium affine-on wet humic soil under alders at
spring head of seepage area
Mnium punctatum-in wet depression on flood plain
Orthotrichum stellatum-on hardwood down bole along
stream
Philonotis marchica-at edges of seepage area
Plagiothecium denticulatum-on wet humic soil at
edge of seepage
Platygyrium repens-on moist stump along stream
Pogonatum pensilvanicum-on soil of steep stream
bank
Polytrichum commune-on wet soil along stream,
edges of seeps
Sciaromium lescurii-on wet rocks of small seepage
stream
Sematophylum marylandicum-on wet rock by stream
Sphagnum magellanicum-on soil in open wet
depression of flood plain
Sphagnum recurvum-in wet depression of flood plain
of Run
Thuidium delicatulum-on various moist substrates
along stream and in borders of seepages
Aneura pinguis-on humic soil in seepage area
Calypogeia muelleriana-on moist soil near stream
Cephalozia bicuspidata-on humic moist soil border in
seepages and on moist bank of Run
Chiloscyphus cuspidatus-on wet soil by stream
Chiloscyphus profundus (Lophocolea heterophlla)-on moist humic soil along stream and edge of seep
Conocephalum conicum-on wet soil along stream
Odontoschisma prostratum-on wet humic soils in
seepage areas and border of small spring branch
Pallavicinia lyellii-on wet soil under alders
Pellia epiphylla-on wet soil bordering small
spring and seepage
Porella pinnata-on roots subject to flooding along
stream
Scapania nemorosa-on wet humus and soil of seepage
area
Trichocolea tomentella-abundant locally on moist
stream banks
Comments
The
contrast between this flora and that of the downstream area is striking and
attributable to the combination of a more closed forest canopy and the
abundance of acidic seeps and springs here. This community appears to fall
under Fleming and Coulling's (2001) classification as a Southern Appalachian
Swamp Forest-Bog Complex (Typic Type) or Tsuga canadensis-Acer rubrum-(
Liriodendron tulipifera, Nyssa sylvatica) / Rhododendron maximum / Sphagnum
spp. Forest type, while the Virginia State Name is Acer rubrum- Betula alleghaniensis
/ Rhododendron maximum / Osmunda cinnamomea-Carex trisperma
Forest. All of the above-mentioned taxa except Betula alleghaniensis and
Carex trisperma were found, although not all the Carex were
identified (and C. trisperma may be among them), while Betula lenta
substitutes for the Yellow Birch.
Reference
Fleming, Gary P. and Philip P. Coulling (2001) Ecological
Communities of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, Virginia:
Preliminary Classification and Description of Vegetation Type. Natural
Heritage Report 01-14, Sept. 2001 In cooperation with The Association for
Biodiversity Information, Prepared for United States Department of Agriculture,
Forest Service George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, Roanoke,
Virginia
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