Deep Woods

Hello, fellow botanist, In this section, I will discuss our time at Deep Woods Preserve in Hocking Hills.

Eastern hemlock, chestnut oaks, and white oaks are some plants that can be found in acid sandstone places. Eastern hemlock thrives in the cool, shaded areas near the sandstone cliffs and gorges. Its preference for acidic, well-drained soils makes it perfectly suited for sandstone environments. These trees can live for hundreds of years and play a crucial role in maintaining the region’s microclimate. The Chestnut Oak is a common tree species in areas with dry, rocky, and acidic soils like those found in Hocking Hills. This oak species has a thick, ridged bark and is known for its resistance to drought and harsh conditions, making it well-adapted to the nutrient-poor soils of the sandstone ridges. White oaks’ adaptability to different soil pH levels, deep root systems, drought tolerance, and efficient nutrient uptake all contribute to their success in acidic limestone soils.

 

Dixie moss. Hair cap moss. First fern found on this field trip. This is Christmas fern. Hi Holly and Emma! Christmas fern fronds are once-pinnate, meaning the fronds are divided into individual leaflets that attach directly to the central stem. Each pinna is elongated, lance-shaped, and has a slightly serrated margin. The fronds are evergreen and often have a leathery texture. The Christmas fern is diploid, meaning it has two sets of chromosomes. Christmas fern is called so because its fronds remain green throughout the winter and are often used for holiday decorations. It grows in shady woodlands and is highly tolerant of acidic soils. Another fern! This is called Polyploidy. Polyploidy is a condition in which an organism has more than two sets of chromosomes. In ferns, polyploidy is quite common and has contributed to their evolutionary success and diversity. It often results in larger, more vigorous plants.

Final fern photo of this field trip is sensitive fern. The sensitive fern has a unique pinnatifid frond structure. This means the fronds are lobed but not fully divided into separate leaflets, so the divisions are somewhat shallow, creating large, broad sections along the rachis. The lobes are typically wider and more rounded compared to the fine divisions seen in other ferns. The sensitive fern is tetraploid, meaning it has four sets of chromosomes. This polyploidy contributes to its ability to grow in various habitats, particularly in wet or marshy environments.It is called the “sensitive fern” because its fronds are highly sensitive to frost and die back quickly when exposed to cold temperatures. The plant thrives in damp, shady areas and produces both fertile and sterile fronds.

Oh how fun its a clubmoss. This is mountain spleen wart.

We are going to look at a few plants that have unique ways of getting their nutrients.

This is ghost pipe. The unique way it gets its nutrients is by using fungi to get their nutrients.

This is Beech drop. The unique way they gain thier nutrients is by invading beech roots.Dr. Klips is holding up bear corn. The unique way they get their nutrients is by becoming parasitic on roots of various tree species.

More moss, YIPEE!!

This is boulder broom moss. This is shinning club moss.A fern moss.Japenese stilt grass. BOO!! It’s one of the invasive species we observed. It was accidentally introduced to the United States around 1919, likely through packing material used in shipping goods. Since its introduction, it has spread across much of the eastern and southern United States, becoming highly invasive. Japanese stilt grass invades forests, wetlands, meadows, and disturbed areas, often forming dense monocultures. It thrives in shaded, moist environments but can also grow in full sunlight. Japanese stilt grass can alter soil composition, including nutrient and water cycling, due to its shallow root system. This can have cascading effects on the entire ecosystem, affecting the plants and animals that depend on native vegetation. Regular mowing before seed production can prevent the grass from spreading. Mowing should occur in late summer, around August, just before the plants flower and produce seeds. Care should be taken not to mow when seeds are mature, as this can spread the seeds further. Broad-spectrum herbicides like glyphosate or grass-specific herbicides such as clethodim can be effective. Herbicides should be applied when the grass is actively growing, typically in late spring or early summer. Care must be taken to avoid affecting non-target native species.

Japanese Stiltgrass | National Invasive Species Information Center