Deep Woods, the Appalachian Gametophyte, and Ohio Geobotany
Substrate-associated Plants.
Sourwood
(Oxydendrum arboreum)
Sourwood is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree often found on acidic, well-drained soils in the Hocking Hills. It has shiny, elongated leaves with a distinctive sour taste, which gives it its common name. The tree produces clusters of small white, bell-shaped flowers in mid-summer.In addition to bees, the flowers attract a variety of pollinators like butterflies. Its foliage is not particularly favored by deer, making it more likely to thrive in areas with high deer populations.
Huckleberry-Blueberry
(Vaccinium spp.)
Deer Berry (Vaccinium stamineum) isa deciduous shrub commonly found in acidic, sandy, or rocky soils, often associated with the understory of oak and pine forests in regions like the Hocking Hills. This plant produces small, sweet berries that are edible and have been used by humans for jellies and desserts; its foliage serves as an important food source for deer and various bird species, while the plant’s distinct, bell-shaped flowers attract pollinators such as bees. The deer berry’s adaptation to nutrient-poor soils includes a mycorrhizal relationship with fungi, enhancing its nutrient uptake
Chestnut Oak
(Quercus montana)
Chestnut Oak is a dominant tree in the dry, rocky, and acidic environments of the Hocking Hills. It has deeply ridged bark, large, oblong leaves resembling those of the American chestnut, and produces acorns that mature in a single season. The acorns of Chestnut Oak are a crucial food source for wildlife, including deer, black bears, and various bird species, especially in years of high mast production. Squirrels and other rodents rely on the acorns as well and help disperse them through caching behavior. Deer often browse the young shoots, but mature trees are less susceptible to heavy browsing.
Ferns
Polypody
(Polypodium virginiaum L.)
Polypody ferns are monomorphic, meaning all their fronds are identical regardless of fertility. Their fronds are pinnatifid, with deep lobes that don’t reach the midrib, giving them a feathered look. These ferns grow on rocks and tree trunks, thriving in acidic, well-drained soils typical of sandstone cliffs. Their rhizomes spread to help them cling to substrates, and they can tolerate drought. Historically, Polypody was used by Native Americans as a lung remedy.
Christmas Fern
(Polystichum acrostichoides)
Christmas Ferns are hemidimorphic, with fertile fronds slightly different from sterile ones, primarily at the tips. Their fronds are pinnate, featuring pairs of serrated leaflets along a central rachis, resembling a Christmas tree. These evergreen ferns are common in shady woods and remain green through winter, adding ornamental value. Adaptable to various conditions, they were traditionally used in medicine, though they are only occasionally browsed by deer due to their tough texture.
Cinnamon Fern
(Osmundastrum cinnamomeum)
Cinnamon Ferns are holodimorphic, with distinct fertile and sterile fronds. The sterile fronds are large, green, and pinnate-pinnatifid, while the fertile fronds are smaller, brown, and resemble cinnamon sticks. Thriving in moist, swampy habitats, these ferns play an important role in wetland ecosystems, providing cover for wildlife. While young fiddleheads are edible, mature fronds are toxic, and their large, vase-like shape offers shelter to various species.
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Among fern species with long-lived gametophytes, perhaps none is as peculiar as Vittaria appalachiana. Set forth its common name and describe the manner in which it is so remarkable.
Common Name: The Appalachian Gametophyte.
Vittaria appalachiana is remarkable because it lacks the ability to produce a sporophyte, the typical adult fern phase. Unlike most ferns, which alternate between gametophyte and sporophyte stages, this species exists only as a gametophyte and reproduces vegetatively through gemmae, a trait that is highly unusual among ferns. Its entire life cycle persists in the gametophyte stage without forming the next generational phase, making it unique among long-lived gametophyte ferns.
Fern gemmae are differently sized than spores. Describe the consequence of that size difference in relation to dispersal. State three possible agents of gemmae dispersal. A 1995 publication by Kimmerer and Young is cited as evidence for one of the modes. What is that evidence?
The smaller size of fern spores allows them to be dispersed over long distances by wind, whereas the larger size of gemmae significantly limits their dispersal capacity. Gemmae are more likely to fall close to the parent plant, reducing the range of new populations. Three possible agents of gemmae dispersal include water, animals (such as insects or small mammals), and gravity. Kimmerer and Young (1995) provided evidence that water droplets can transport gemmae by showing that they can travel short distances through splashing rain, helping with local dispersal but not long-distance spread.
The notion of limited dispersal capability in V. applachianais also supported by consideration of a combination of the geologic history of area, and the current distribution of the plant. Explain this evidence and how it supports a particular time frame for its loss of the ability to produce mature, functioning sporophytes.
The limited dispersal capability of Vittaria appalachiana is reflected in its restricted distribution across the Appalachian region. Geological evidence suggests that during the last glacial period, the species’ range was constrained by the formation of suitable habitats, such as sheltered sandstone outcrops. The current fragmented distribution of the Appalachian gametophyte in these microhabitats suggests that it lost the ability to produce a sporophyte after these environments became isolated. This points to a loss of reproductive capability around the end of the Pleistocene, a time when climatic changes likely reduced the range of its potential habitats and led to the extinction of sporophyte-producing populations.
Could the current populations of the Appalachian gametophyte be being sustained by long-distance dispersal from some tropical sporophyte source? Support your answer. What is the most likely explanation for the wide range of V. applachiana?
No, the current populations of Vittaria appalachiana are not likely sustained by long-distance dispersal from tropical sporophyte sources because the fern’s gemmae, which are responsible for reproduction, are poorly suited for long-distance travel. Additionally, there is no evidence of ongoing sporophyte production in tropical regions that could supply gemmae to the Appalachian populations. The most likely explanation for the wide range of V. appalachiana is its persistence in isolated microhabitats, coupled with localized dispersal mechanisms like water or animal movement. This explains its spread across the Appalachian region without the need for long-distance tropical source.
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Grr-Arghh! (invasive) plants
Japanese Stiltgrass
(Microstegium vimineum)
Japanese Stiltgrass, native to East Asia, was introduced to the U.S. in the early 1900s, likely via contaminated packing materials. It has since become highly invasive across the eastern U.S., forming dense mats that outcompete native vegetation and reduce biodiversity by monopolizing resources like light, water, and nutrients. The plant alters soil composition, disrupts ecosystems, and increases wildfire risk due to its tendency to dry out at the end of the growing season. Control methods include manual removal before seed production, repeated mowing, and the use of herbicides like glyphosate for larger infestations. Early intervention and monitoring are key to preventing its spread. Source: https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/terrestrial/plants/japanese-stiltgrass
Trees in trouble!
Butternut/White Walnut
(Juglans cinerea)
The butternut tree, Juglans cinerea, also known as white walnut, is in decline due to Butternut Canker, a fungal disease caused by Ophiognomonia clavigignenti-juglandacearum. The fungus enters through bark wounds, forming cankers that eventually girdle and kill the tree within a few years. This decline has significant ecological effects, as butternut trees provide vital food and habitat for wildlife, and their loss reduces forest biodiversity. Efforts to combat the disease include identifying disease-resistant trees, exploring hybrids with Japanese walnut, and conserving healthy trees in less-affected areas. Ongoing research focuses on breeding resistance and developing biological controls. Source: https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/butternut