Deep Woods, the Appalachian Gametophyte, and Ohio Geobotany
Substrate – associated Plants:
Many plant species are substrate associated, meaning that they require specific traits within a soil to grow and thrive. All of the plants photographed below were all identified at Deep Woods Nature Preserve in Hocking Hills, OH. Hocking hills is home to acid sandstone soil and below are four plants that thrive in its environment. The Chestnut Oak (Quercus Montana) is the first species shown. As a member of the white oak family, the leaves of the chestnut oak are scalloped with evenly lobed margins and parallel veins. The bark is dark brown with deeply lobed veins. This species is often mistaken for the threatened American Chestnut due to similarities in features and name, however this species is not related to American Chestnut. (Petrides, George A. 1972. A Field Guide to Trees and Shrubs of Northeast and north-central US and Southeastern and south-central Canada, pp. 220)
Pictured above is a Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum) sapling. Its leaves are oblong shaped and alternately arranged. In the summer a key identifier of the leaves, as seen above, is the gloss present on the tops of the leaves. Sourwood trees are especially sought after for Sourwood honey. Only being grown in the Appalachian region and immediate surrounding areas, the global range for this species is limited. Seeing as the honey is in a somewhat low supply compared to other honey types and is in high demand due to its favorable aromatic scents and floral tastes, the cost of this honey is exponentially more expensive than its counterparts. (Petrides, George A. 1972. A Field Guide to Trees and Shrubs of Northeast and north-central US and Southeastern and south-central Canada, pp. 289,366)
Deerberry (Vaccinium stamineum) is our third acid sandstone loving species. This specific specimen was found on the top of a rock structure sitting on the hilltop. Deerberry is an important species as it not only provides habitat, but also food to birds, insects and small mammals. Deerberry has historically been used in humans medicinally to treat urinary tract infections and gastrointestinal issues.Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center VAST
The fourth and final acid sandstone loving species, Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) photographed above growing out of the rock side, is an evergreen shrub with leaves curling slightly upward to form a cup-like shape. Mountain Laurel is often referred to as “spoon tree” as indigenous peoples often utilized the trees to make spoons as well as hand trowels for farming. Brooklyn Botanical Garden – Mountain Laurel
Ferns:
The Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) produces fully pinnate fronds, each leaflet on the frond is independent from the neighboring leaflets. The spores on this species are heteromorphic meaning that the spores are only produced on the terminal ends of the fronds as shown above. Each individual leaflet produced numerous confluent sori and each sori is covered with an umbrella shaped, or peltate, indusium. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center POAC4
The Cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamomea) pictured above, are a unique fern species in Ohio. Starting with size, the cinnamon fern in the images above had fronds that were nearly five feet tall. This species produces pelate indusium and is holodimorphic meaning it produces fertile fronds and a sterile fronds and each of these are distinctly separate from another. The fronds on the cinnamon fern are pinnate-pinnatfid therefor its fronds are entirely divided into leaflets and each individual leaflet is also lobed.Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center OSCI
Appalachian Gametophyte:
The Appalachian Gametophyte (Vittaria appalachiana) was an unexpected, but cool sight on our walk through Deep Woods as it is a once-in-a-lifetime find. As one might thing upon stumbling upon this plant, it looks to be a moss but it is actually a fern! The Appalachian gametophyte, as its name suggests, is the only species that exists in the gametophyte stage for its entire life cycle. Compared to other fern species, this species is so unique because it produces asexually by producing gemmae. The role of the gemmae is to travel a short distance (via water, animals or wind) and establish a new plant, thus ultimately creating a clone of the parent plant. The presence of this species is highly indicative of areas that experienced high glacial activity in the Appalachian region. This species has been a species of focus when botanist have studied the regions history as it is likely that this species once existed in a sporophyte producing form before the last ice age and over time has evolved to reproduce asexually instead.
“Unraveling the origin of the Appalachian gametophyte Vittaria appalachiana” Jerald B. Pinson and Eric Schuettpelz
Grr-Arghh! Plants:
Multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora) is a common invasive around central Ohio as well as in Hocking Hills where this photo was taken. Multiflora rose is perennial shrub native to eastern Asia. This plant was introduced to North America with the purpose of being planted in fence rows and other habitats for erosion prevention. Like most invasive species in the U.S, multiflora rose quickly began to rapidly spread and establish anywhere it could which has led to the population we know (and don’t love), today. Due to the plants thorns, mechanical methods of control are challenging. It is crucial that removal of the entire plant and its taproot are removed from the soil for affective eradication. Chemical treatments may also be utilized, however, repeated application must occur to kill off all of the seeds that the mother plant has spread previous to dying. Iowa State University – Agriculture and Natural Resources Outreach
Japanese Stilt grass is an invasive grass that has an appearance similar to mini bamboo. The average height varies between 1 to 3 feet tall. This species can be found in flood plains, areas with common soil disturbances, acidic soils, neutral soils, full sun and also shaded areas making it the perfect candidate for seemingly anywhere. As the name hints, this grass is native to Japan and Asia as a whole. In 1919 Japanese stilt grass was introduced to the U.S with the intent to be used to produce porcelain. Control of this species, like many other invasive species, is crucial and action must be taken immediately to prevent spread as it seemingly grows faster than a wildfire. Hand removal of the grass, mowing and fire are all successful methods of control for Japanese Stilt grass. UCONN College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources
Trees in Trouble!:
The species pictured here is a Chinese Chestnut. While this species is fairly common its close relative, the American Chestnut, is a rare find. The leaves of the American chestnut look very similar to that of the Chinese chestnut so improper identification occurs often. The American chestnut was once a dominant species in the eastern U.S as it is the largest deciduous tree this half of the nation. The fall of the American Chestnut began in 1904 in New York when Chestnut blight was spotted within the Bronx zoo. Only 5 years later, chestnut blight began to make its spread and since then, history has been changed forever. As a result of a decrease in trees, it is estimated that $10 million dollars in lumber alone have been destroyed by “the most rapid fungus in the world”. Some of the trees have adapted to form cankers over the fungus to eradicate the fungus and persist. To produce trees that are resistant, creation of hybrid individuals that are 50% Chinese and 50% American chestnut have proven to be an effective control measure as these hybrids are the individuals that are resistant to the blight. This hybrid tree is currently waiting review from the FDA and one day may become the new “American Chestnut” that we will know and love. The American Chestnut – NPR
Special Assignment: Parasitic Plants
Pictured above is Pinesap (Monotropa hypopitys). The photo depicts the beautiful flowers but the parasitic aspect lies beneath the ground. This species relies on fungi within the soil and because Pinesap lacks chlorophyll, it relies on the fungi in which it feeds on to survive.
Bear Corn (Conopholis americana) is pictured above laying in some leaf litter. Bear corn is a parasitic plant that obtains its nutrients by parasitizing on roots of Oak trees as it does not photosynthesize on its own. The specimen photographed is in its late life cycle stage and is brown however in the spring time, the flowers are yellow and resemble small pieces of corn.Native Plant Trust- Bear Corn
Other Fun Discoveries:
Photographed below are all fun discoveries found on our adventure into Deep Woods Nature Preserve. There were countless cool discoveries so it was difficult to choose which photos to share, but a few of my favorites are below.
