Field Guide Botany Hot Spots photo by: David Foote INTRODUCTION
When’s the last time you stopped to smell the roses at your favorite GTRLC preserve or natural area? Ok, fine. There aren’t many roses out there. But when’s the last time you admired the intricacy of a rare Pitcher’s Thistle or lost yourself in a breathtaking display of spring wildflowers? While birds and various other wild things attract a lot of attention, it might be easy to overlook the stunning and expansive botanical diversity at some of your favorite protected lands. Don’t! The diversity of plants at some of these places are indeed among their most special conservation values, and going to out to look at and identify these plants can be fun as a solo activity or with friends and family.
WHAT’S FQI?
On most properties, you’ll see a reference to a Floristic Quality Index (FQI) score. This score, based on detailed botanical inventories, is a way to quantify the rarity and quality of the plants found at a given site, and by extension the quality of the habitat. Every plant in the state has been given a score of 0-10 (0 being a common plant that can grow pretty much anywhere, 10 being a rare plant with extremely specific habitat requirements) from which the score is derived. The scores of individual plants combined with the overall number of species are used to derive a property’s overall FQI score. The statewide average score for all sites is 20, with anything greater than 35 being considered significant. An FQI score above 50 (almost all on this list) is considered very rare and extremely significant.
What follows is a list of places known for their botanical diversity, along with some special plants you might find there.
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Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy FEATURED PROPERTIES
Antrim Creek Maple Bay Railroad Point St Clair Lake- 1 4 7 10 Natural Area Natural Area Natural Area Six Mile Lake Arcadia Dunes Misty Acres Reffitt 2 5 8 11 Timbers Nature Preserve Preserve Nature Preserve Recreation Area Arcadia Marsh Pyatt Lake Skegemog Lake Wilcox-Palmer-Shah 3 6 9 12 Nature Preserve Nature Preserve Wildlife Area Nature Preserve
10
1 Ellsworth
Jordan River
L A K E M I C H I G A N G R A N D Central Lake T R A V E R S E Elmira B A Y
131
Bellaire ANTRIM 12 Lake Bellaire
East Arm Grand 6 Traverse Bay Kewadin
Elk Mancelona Elk Rapids Lake West Arm Grand Torch Alden Traverse Bay Lake
Rapid City
L ak e S k eg em o 0 2.5 5 10 Miles 4 g 9 Manistee Acme Lake
Williamsburg re 11 o h s e k a Traverse City L l a Kalkaska n o ti a Lake Ann N s ne LAKE Long Du ANN Lake ear Sleeping B Little Platte Lake 8 Platte r i v e Boardman River R r e e Lake t i v t T R a a y e l l o e P r t Crystal Lake Honor C i s KALKASKA k r e n e e a k M e k
r e r e C C e k a g Grawn c r t a o
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Frankfort B Beulah Duck Lake Elberta Benzonia Green Lake BENZIE 7 Kingsley Jaxon Creek Fife Lake
Betsie River Fife Lake
e r i v GRAND R i e s t e B TRAVERSE 131 l e L i t t 2 Thompsonville M a n i s t e e R i v e r
Arcadia k e e r C Copemish r 3 a e B
g i 5 B
Bear Lak e
Bear Lake B e a r C r e e k GTRLC rules prohibit removal of Kaleva Onekama Por ta ge Lak e plants from our preserves, and many r
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n a less common plants are protected by M MANISTEE state/federal laws. So when it comes to
P in e C r e e k botany, it’s best to look and not pick! Manistee East Lake
P L i n i t t e l e M R a n i v i s t e r e e R i v e r
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Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy photo by: Mike Okma 1 pink color,pink quite and large. flowers.light a The flowers are fragrant lightly around the hovering seen be of honeybees species native who many can including of insects array a wide by pollinated is blooms once,thistle at up This dies. to old, then eight years world) the in only plant shorelines to the region. This of Great the Lakes protecteda federally endemic plant (which it found means is nowhere else one is spot where a lookthis youtake forPitcher’s should definitely Thistle, there’s means habitat diversity this no of to shortage here, see plants While overlooks forestedridge the treetops below. loop where the top from the of trail the visible shoreline still is lake glacial ancient The it as enters Michigan. creek of intoportion its namesake Lake wet meadow, dune thicket, a and conifer swamp, shrub coastal wetland, forest, hardwood including forested of landscapes array incredible of an comprised is Area Natural Creek 1993, in Antrim the Protected GTRLC by ANTRIM CREEK NATURAL AREA Pitcher’s Thistle Pitcher’s Species: Focal Number of Species: N/A N/A FQI: forest coastal Dune, Habitats: Size: 156 acres County Antrim Location: Visit our website for directions and more property information: our websiteVisit for and directions more property Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy Land Regional Traverse Grand Pitcher’s Thistle Pitcher’s GTRLC.ORG best seasons Back to Map Back
photo by: Angie Lucas photo by: Nate Richardson 2 Abby’s Woods Pete’s and Woods PRESERVE MOTT C.S. THE DUNES: ARCADIA who soak up their beauty. upwho their soak the moreall those appreciatedanddiverse by heredisplays very wildflower the makes region. habitat our This rare in avery old-growth, secondary (some not considered for sections is logged and acentury) being more than out. leaf Pete’smaples fully even Woods untouched arelatively is forest before cycle that completethe life their of wildflowers stopping displays come only youIf one of can year, for time show come the spring the in summer. intothe well of dune wildflowers display beautiful a less but dense equally the in forests May,in wildflowers and of spring displays jaw-dropping truly for of course, it’s known but place is wonderful, it’s is Paula this because also because is This Dunes. Arcadia at hikes world-famous wildflower seemingly you’ve probably heard about Volunteer Dreeszen’s Steward Paula Preserve over years, the casually even you’veIf GTRLC with associated been Wildflowers and other spring ephemerals spring other and Wildflowers Species: Focal Number of Species: 288 70 FQI: forest mesic Northern Habitats: Size: acres 3,600 Counties Manistee and Benzie Location: Visit our website for directions and more property information: our websiteVisit for and directions more property Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy Land Regional Traverse Grand Large-Flowered Bellwort Large-Flowered GTRLC.ORG best seasons Back to Map Back
photo by: Nate Richardson
photo by: Nate Richardson photo by: David Foote 3 them out hideaways.them hummock of their forage picking by they others and as for bitterns insects wrens, the rails, like birds for of become marsh species secretive areas many feeding turn in These pointhummocks for arefuge are insects. and important to acertain flooding withstand creates, it can sometimes 3 hummocks high, feet tall The around it.fauna or itthe and influencesassociated as designs communities plant engineer” it considered is of “ecosystem this Because an animals. of and species plants for many it structure it forms does this, As over years. the material organic of hummocks into itself tall builds that plant marsh important an is grass, like a glance look first can at native which species, sedge large Sedge. This is adapted to fluctuations these well is that One species levels. Tussock water Michigan Lake of because fluctuating largely variable, highly and rare habitat extremely is marsh coastal Great the Marsh, Lakes At Arcadia PRESERVE NATURE MARSH ARCADIA Focal Species: Tussock Sedge Species: Focal Number of Species: 200 44 FQI: marsh coastal Lakes Great Habitats: acres Size: 273 County Manistee Location: Visit our website for directions and more property information: our websiteVisit for and directions more property Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy Land Regional Traverse Grand Tussock Sedge Tussock GTRLC.ORG best seasons Back to Map Back
photo by: Angie Lucas photo by: Deke Ludwig 4 MAPLE BAY NATURAL AREA BAYMAPLE NATURAL also excellent nectar sources species. for pollinator native nectar many excellent also shoreline.are habitats the sandy and along They wetlands interdunal the in are flowersandgrow yellow haveadapted bright to shrubs native beautiful Cinquefoil. These —Kalm’s St. Shrubby and Johnswort shrubs native bloomers late summer Other at Maple Bay Petobego and unique include two button flowers. yellow-orange bright habitats. dune It beach Great and with blooms July or Lakes in August Huron Tansy,Lake along grows only that astate-threatened species plant Pitcher’s uncommonthelocationMapleknown described of Bayis a Thistle, addition anotherIn tothe spot being where previously find you can TraverseGrand Bay. enjoy and splendor the place to relax of popular avery as well as diversity componentimportant an areais of ecosystem natural This Area. Natural found those at communities Maple the like Bay natural high-quality with of few Grand Traverse areas along Relatively shoreline offernatural County a Lake Huron Tansy, Kalm’s St. Johnswort, Shrubby Cinquefoil Tansy, Huron Lake Cinquefoil Shrubby Species: Kalm’sFocal Johnswort, St. Number of Species: 244 58 FQI: forest coastal Dune, Habitats: Size: acres 452 Traverse County Grand Location: Visit our website for directions and more property information: our websiteVisit for and directions more property Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy Land Regional Traverse Grand Lake Huron Tansy Huron Lake GTRLC.ORG best seasons Back to Map Back
photo by: Angie Lucas
photo by: Nate Richardson photo by: Angie Lucas 5 and Oak Fern. Oak and Evergreen Fern, Woodfern, Clinton’shere Rattlesnake the Woodfern are interest particular fronds. Of underside or leaf of on each separate fertile –on complex the the –spore of collection sori producing structures forest floor. including uniquethese time andto the stop plants, study Take the species covering fern beautiful of variety a find one Acres, can Misty shores the Along of of indeed and pools, throughout these entirety the of insects. types many and –play host up mid-year by to salamanders frogs, dry ponds that seasonal –small, pools vernal spring, itself. the In river into the and feeder creeks short but gorgeous lead here, down that overlooking steep hike ravines River.theBetsie of stretch It’s of asignificant a banks situated the along gems woodland are Area Helstrom Quiet associated the and Acres Misty PRESERVE BORWELL THE ACRES: MISTY Focal Species: Ferns Species: Focal Number of Species: 219 61 FQI: riverine,vernal pool forest, northern Mesic Habitats: acres Size: 627 Counties Manistee and Benzie Location: Visit our website for directions and more property information: our websiteVisit for and directions more property Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy Land Regional Traverse Grand Oak FernOak GTRLC.ORG best seasons Back to Map Back
photo by: Charles Peirce photo by: Nate Richardson 6 PYATT LAKE: THE BILL CARLS PRESERVE BILL CARLS THE PYATT LAKE: honeybees, butterflies andinsects. other honeybees, butterflies bumblebees,including species pollinators of many benefits also plant flowers in whorls.native This purple-pinkish glowing has and tips leafy float with stemsthe that water on arching bloomersummer distinctive has This Swamp or Loosestrife. noticeable and Whorled a unique called plant alongthethe edge emergent is species of The community dominant marsh Bladderwort. Flat-Leaved and Bladderwort submerged species: Commonthe here plants carnivorous include two Water of note interspersed that White fact throughout. the is Also Lily Yellow the cover is species of populations Pond significant Lily, with The dominant Lake. to becontiguous throughout community Pyatt marsh the submergentenables lake the of depth shallow deck. The observation an submergent from emergent and visible are communities marsh that marsh composed is preserve, the of included within entirely Lake, Pyatt habitat found here. undisturbed quality of high the of county, the because all largely in properties diverse mostthe botanically your place.is identified Itby previously Grand was Traverseas one County of slice of little heaven.is a This nature preserve diversity? first Want GTRLC’s Swamp or Whorled Loosestrife, various water lilies various Loosestrife, Swamp Whorled or Species: Focal Number of Species: 270 68 FQI: forest swale, wetland, and dune Wooded Habitats: Size: acres 159 Traverse County Grand Location: Visit our website for directions and more property information: our websiteVisit for and directions more property Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy Land Regional Traverse Grand Swamp Loosestrife Swamp GTRLC.ORG best seasons Back to Map Back
photo by: Paula Dreeszen
photo by: Nate Richardson 7 RAILROAD POINT NATURAL AREA
Location: Benzie County Size: 207 acres Habitats: Mesic northern forest FQI: 48 best seasons Number of Species: 193 Focal Species: Trillium photo by: Angie Lucas
Trilium photo by: Angie Lucas
No discussion or guide of flora in our region would be complete without mention of the Common Trillium, an iconic native spring plant species throughout our region. Railroad Point is one of several spots (the woodlands at Arcadia Dunes are also a sure bet) to see these striking flowers. Walk the beloved Mary Margaret Johnson trail and look for them in the spring. There are 10 species of trilliums in the state. Many are very rare and all are protected. Besides its intrinsic beauty, Common Trillium is interesting as it exemplifies many connections in nature we tend to overlook. Although not unique to trilliums, they are a species that changes color after pollination to let pollinators (mostly bees, but many other insects as well) know their state. When the flower turns pink, it lets insect pollinators know to move along to the next flower so that they don’t waste precious time visiting that flower. Additionally, its seeds have a pocket of nutrients (known as an eliasome) attached that act as a reward for ant species to carry back to their nests. Once the ants are done eating, they toss it out as their garbage, which helps sow the seed in a new location for the trillium. These eliasome or “ant-treats” are one of the many traits that contribute to this plant’s ability to carpet large areas of northern forests.
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Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy photo by: Deke Ludwig 8 REFFITT (GEORGE ADA)REFFITT AND PRESERVE plants. They open early in the spring, with some lingering until until June. with somelingering thespring, in early open They plants. other nearly and often hidden leaves beneath on ground the the of this are thatclusters grow in flowersdense months. Its spring fragrant the visiblein is that flower fragrant avery with alow vine is sprawling plant, uncommon of an pine forests. soils acidic require Arbutus, that Trailing home are that dune ridges to species plant unique dry interspersed with full are and of biodiversity protected are Reffitt at wetlands critical The Grand Traverse Old Mission Peninsula. including other Bay areas, in and edge southern of the along East complex once that swale and stretched all forto far travel nature’s splendor. It of dune aremnant amuch is larger “urban” offers preserve a quiet respite this thoselimits, for not looking watershed Creek Mitchell just outside the in Located of Traverse the City Focal Species: Trailing Arbutus Species: Focal Number of Species: 264 59 FQI: swale, wetland and dune Wooded Habitats: acres Size: 106 Traverse County Grand Location: Visit our website for directions and more property information: our websiteVisit for and directions more property Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy Land Regional Traverse Grand Trailing Arbutus GTRLC.ORG best seasons Back to Map Back
photo by: Christie Orr
photo by: Nate Richardson 9 SKEGEMOG LAKE WILDLIFE AREA
Location: Kalkaska County Size: 3,300 acres Habitats: Various wetlands — bogs, swamps FQI: 59 best seasons Number of Species: 172 Focal Species: Tamarack photo by: Angie Lucas
Tamarack photo by: Kim Stringer
One of the largest protected lands in northern Michigan is the Skegemog Lake Wildlife Area, owned by the State of Michigan and managed by GTRLC. This wetland complex has long been known as a statewide gem from a biodiversity standpoint and is home to a wide abundance of plant and animal species. If you visit this unique property during the fall, you can see tamaracks light up in their brilliant golden color. Tamarack is known as the only deciduous (loses its leaves in winter) conifer native to Michigan, so it sheds its needles along with maples, oaks and other hardwoods. As they fall to the ground, the acidic needles decompose and create an acidic soil environment that prohibits competition from surrounding plants and creates an environment conducive to the growth of future tamarack seedlings. This contributes to dense stands of this unique and beautiful tree.
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Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy photo by: Dana Vannoy 10 ST. CLAIR LAKE - SIX MILE LAKE PRESERVE LAKE MILE -SIX LAKE ST. CLAIR flower and is particularly associated with with hummingbirds. associated flowerandis particularly red a striking has latterthemid-summer, and visiblein shaped flowers globe- white Flower. fragrant TheButtonbushhas former Cardinal and agreat place to is view also SCL-SML Pye-Weed, Swamp Milkweed, Tag JoeDogwood, Alder, herbaceous Swamp and Rose like species Winterberry, like addition region. our In to shrubs within of wetlands diversity floristic amazing the a snippet just of offering plants, wetland native beautiful many of viewing offers and swamp up-close shrub here a through northern meanders trail Sorrell Behrens TheMary new of Lakes. Chain the as watershed important known critically and larger for), of named is bodies water preserve the two of amuch part are which (themselves Creek the between St. and Clair River much of Sinclair the for and good reason. locals, by It treasured encompasses immensely is and land theprotectiongrassroots is effort result of a nature preserve This Buttonbush and Cardinal Flower (both hummingbird plants) Flower hummingbird (both Cardinal and Buttonbush Species: Focal Number of Species: 228 47 FQI: Habitats: Size: acres 255 Counties Charlevoix and Antrim Location: Visit our website for directions and more property information: our websiteVisit for and directions more property Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy Land Regional Traverse Grand Riverine, forested wetlands, shrub swamps, marsh swamps, shrub wetlands, Riverine, forested Cardinal Flower Cardinal GTRLC.ORG best seasons Back to Map Back
photo by: Angie Lucas
photo by: Nate Richardson 11 TIMBERS RECREATION AREA
Location: Grand Traverse County Size: 250 acres Habitats: Mesic norhern forest, open field, wetlands FQI: 41 best seasons Number of Species: 167 Focal Species: Cinnamon Fern photo by: Dana Vannoy
Cinnamon Fern photo by: Angie Lucas
Everyone loves this popular and diverse recreation area located in Grand Traverse County’s Long Lake Township. Did you know that Long Lake, and by extension all of Timbers, is within the Platte River watershed? Fern Lake, contained entirely within Timbers, is the upstream limit of this watershed. Speaking of ferns, many fern species thrive along the shores of the lake named for them. One such species is the striking Cinnamon Fern. Science tells us that this very ancient fern has been around in its current form for about 180 million years, making it one of the oldest species in our region. It likes to grow in high quality natural habitats and prefers more acidic wetlands like bogs and swamps. The unique cinnamon colored fertile frond, which arises from the center of a vase-like arrangement of leafy fronds, is how this plant gets its name.
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Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy photo by: David Foote 12 WILCOX-PALMER-SHAH PRESERVE NATURE actually grows better when periodically buried by alayer of by sand. buried when better periodically grows actually and sand moving horizontally. actively It found only is habitats with in and it dunes ofsand as long spreads aseries by vertically grow roots which on large coloniesuniquelyin growssuitedandis to survival grass This sand. by tolerate can and areas buried being to sandy first open colonize the usually “ecosystem an engineer,” sometimes is called it as is dune stabilization for species initial most the regarded It as crucial widely is landscapes. for preventing erosion shorelines critical sandy is on and wind-swept old Norse on word thrives for that plant native grass) sea ahardy is interestingly, an is (Marram, Grass ofanother species note. Marram agreat spot to study thoroughly also is habitat, but this undisturbed Huronthis Tansy be both Pitcher’sin Lake and foundcan Thistle species. of animal and plant variety found here. That protection meanthabitathas excellent ongoing for a shoreline habitat Michigan Lake to quality protect was high the GTRLC) to (it later transferred was of chapter Nature the Conservancy Michigan the to preserve donationthis of reason thefor original The primary Beach or Marram Grass Marram or Beach Species: Focal Number of Species: 205 57 FQI: Beach, coastal forest Habitats: acres Size: 41 County Antrim Location: Visit our website for directions and more property information: our websiteVisit for and directions more property Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy Land Regional Traverse Grand Marram Grass GTRLC.ORG best seasons Back to Map Back
photo by: Michael Jordan
photo by: Nate Richardson Protecting significant natural, scenic and farm lands, and advancing stewardship — now and for future generations.
GTRLC.ORG 3860 N. Long Lake Rd. Ste. D Traverse City, MI 49684
cover photo by: Joe Brooks