The Journal of the South Carolina Native Plant Society Spring 2007 Orchids of the Francis Marion National Forest, Berkeley County, SC In this issue By Jim Fowler Orchids ...... 1 Reprinted with permission from: North President’s Perspective .... 2 American Native Orchid Journal & the Plant Terms ...... 2 Author. All orchid photos by Jim Fowler Georgia Aster ...... 3 The Francis Marion National Cogongrass ...... 6-7 Forest (known by locals as the USDA Plants Website ..... 8 Francis Marion) is a popular desti- nation for botanists, especially for those interested in orchids and car- nivorous plants. It comprises about 250,000 acres of mixed hardwoods, Name That bottomland swamps, and longleaf pine savannahs. It contains some Native Plant! unique geological features known This perennial as Carolina Bays. These bays are forb is found shallow oval depressions (their on roadsides origin is still hotly debated) that and forest edges make excellent habitat for many throughout SC. rare and unusual plant species, Calopogon barbatus, bearded grass-pink It can be very including about two dozen of South showy in mid- Carolina’s fi fty-fi ve native orchid spring to mid- species and hybrids. summer. It has The largest portion of the trifoliate leaves. Francis Marion is located in It might help Berkeley County, the rest being in if we showed adjacent Charleston County, in the more of the southern portion of coastal South plant, but Carolina. It is criss-crossed by where’s the fun hundreds of sandy, one-lane USFS in making it roads that wind through areas with easy? To see names like Hellhole Swamp, Dog more of the Swamp, Florida Bay, Tiger Cor- ner, and Yellow-jacket Island, and plant go to Ponthieva racemosa, shadow-witch orchid www.scnps.org. offering views of dense pocosins and vast longleaf pine savannahs. These local names bring to mind the many seemingly impenetrable areas of boot-sucking mud, chiggers, ticks, mosquitoes, leeches, snakes, and alligators. But, we never let those minor inconveniences The answer is embedded in the text somewhere hold us back, do we? in this newsletter. Photo by Bill Stringer. (See Orchids, page 4)

South Carolina Native Plant Society • Spring 2007 1 State of the SC Native Plant Plant origin terms Native plant – A plant species that is Society - Spring, 2007 found in a region because it developed and evolved in that region over thou- The Society continues to actively pursue sands of years. Plants that existed in a our mission of “preserving and restoring native region prior to settlement. plant communities in South Carolina”. This has happened via an impressive expense of time and Exotic (introduced) plant – A plant energy by a growing number of members. A par- species that exists in a region because tial list of activities this spring includes 7 chapter it was brought to that region by man, meetings with speakers, 10 field trips to see native during and since settlement of the plant communities, 6 fundraiser plant sales, and region. We are still introducing exotic participation in 6 public information events, like plants, by intention or by accident. Earth Day or Home Shows. We have had at least 6 organized plant rescues, to save native plants Naturalized plant – An exotic plant from the bulldozer. Many of these plants have that was introduced into an area, es- been re-planted in public park or garden sites. caped from cultivation and reproduces We have had 2 informational workshops, with an Bill Stringer on its own (includes exotic invasive expert showing and telling about a topic, to make plants). Many plants commonly our members more knowledgeable and effective in the future. thought to be natives were actually I think I can safely report that we are gaining visibility and support for our introduced by early settlers. goals and activities. We are collaborating with other naturalist/environmental Exotic invasive plant – An exotic groups, such as SCAN and TNC. As often as not, these groups are seeking plant species that is able to invade us out. We have been very successful in getting our message into the media, and overrun native ecosystems. Some which is not an easy job. We have re-established regular publication of our native plants can become invasive un- quarterly newsletter, and it has been getting good reviews among the member- der certain conditions, but most inva- ship. Two Chapters have local newsletters, as well. And our website... Wow! sive species are introduced (exotic). We have a terrific website, full of information on activities, articles on native plant issues, and a large number of beautiful photos to interact with your senses Ornamental plant – A plant species as you cruise the site. or cultivar that is grown for its beauty Another indication of the Society “gaining traction” is in the impressive (in its end use), rather than commer- list of awards coming to our group and its members. In the past year, members cial or production reasons. have received the SC Wildlife Federation’s Conservationist of the Year (Land), and Conservationist of the Year (Water). The Society was awarded Greenville Variety – Within a species, a natu- Soil and Water Conservation District’s Conservation Award. Most recently, rally occurring sub-group of plants Rick Huffman was awarded the Governor’s Environmental Awareness Award, that have one or more minor charac- in a ceremony at the Statehouse. teristics that set it apart from the rest We are not able to rest on our laurels, however. We have gained 86 new of the species. Ex.: Solidago odora var. members since the start of 2006. Unfortunately, that number has been bal- chapmanii. anced out by the failure of 86 members to renew their membership. We need to work on member retention. We have been working on that in the Chapters. Cultivar – Short for “cultivated We have also devoted some effort at the state level to helping our two smaller variety”. A plant “variety” developed chapters in raising their numbers and visibility, and we will continue to do so. by man via plant selection and/or I have saved for last an important issue: LEADERSHIP. Not that we genetic manipulation to exhibit a set don’t have good leaders, he said modestly. The thing is, we need more, newer, of plant characteristics. Cultivars are younger members to step up to the plate, to help share the load, and to prepare maintained via controlled pollination for future leadership roles. The Chapters need this, and the Statewide orga- or vegetative means, so that cultivar nization does, too. For instance, as of now, we do not have a statewide vice- characteristics are passed to ensuing president, which is of concern to yours truly. So, if you are interested in taking generations. on a role at any level, and we haven’t asked you, please take the initiative and Ecovar – Short for “ecological vari- button-hole one of your officers. We will be most attentive to you. ety”. A plant “variety” developed by man from a collection of plants of a Thanks! Bill Stringer, President (See Plant terms, page 3)

2 South Carolina Native Plant Society • Spring 2007 Two New Georgia Aster Finds Sudie Daves, - USDA-NRCS & Ron and I had John Nel- Midlands Chapter son, USC botanist, confirm the A Richland County plant rescue identification. The population organized by Ron Chicone for the contained about 500 stems, and Midlands Chapter yielded a very nice is a previously undocumented surprise. Having forgotten to re-set population for Richland County, my clock for daylight savings time, according to SCDNR records. I arrived at the rescue site an hour Now that’s an exciting way to early, so I passed the time investigat- “pass some time”! ing a right-of-way I had passed on the way. I found woodland sunflower, Janie Marlow, Karen eastern silvery aster, whorled coreop- Burnett, Ted Thern, - sis, Maryland golden aster, rosinweed, Upstate Chapter narrow-leaf mountain-mint, Indi- Roadsides and utility right- scrubby loblolly and Virginia pines and angrass, plumegrass, little bluestem, of-ways are among the few places immature deciduous trees, surrounded split-beard bluestem, bushy bluestem, where South Carolina’s native by Japanese honeysuckle, multiflora Virginia wild rye and a mystery aster, prairie plants can still be found, rose, cedar, broomsedge and goldenrod. later identified by Ron as New York but who takes time to investigate Kudzu is encroaching from the railroad aster. these “scruffy-looking” sites? Vol- embankment. Then there was another aster unteers on a SCNPS Native Plant The population grows on a slight that looked familiar, one that I had Seed Collection field trip — that’s ridge beside the railroad cut, by tracks not seen in a while. It had composite who! On Oct. 28, 2006, we were that were laid in the early 1900s and flowers about 2 inches collecting seeds of are still in use. The site appears to have wide with deep purple big bluestem, little retained more of the sandy clay topsoil ray flowers, pale bluestem and pur- than areas around it – maybe cotton white disk flowers, pletop, on property fields were not planted that close to the and rough clasping wedged between railroad? alternate leaves. The road and railroad habitat was a dis- in southern Pick- turbed right-of-way/ ens County. (Any roadside with clay site in the Upstate soils and the associate with big bluestem species listed above. I warrants piling out tentatively identified of the van). An it as Georgia Aster (Symphyotrichum intensely vivid color caught the georgianum), a species I knew from eye of Ted Thern — an aster, but previous Piedmont Prairie restora- such a deep, rich purple... tion work. Georgia Aster is a Federal Investigation showed it to be Candidate species for endangered Georgia aster (Symphyotrichum Distribution of Georgia aster (some recent dis- status. georgianum), with several plants coveries not shown) Map from SC Plant Atlas strung out for 30 yards under (http://cricket.biol.sc.edu/herb/)

Plant terms, from page 2 native species that were selected from the ecovar development process. ing the collection and subsequent seed several to many natural populations An ecovar is an intermediate step increase steps, so as to conserve genetic in a specific region. The purpose is between a true native plant and a diversity. The genetic diversity is less to have high genetic diversity in the cultivar. than for an ecovar. parent collection, that reflects the natural diversity within that species Source-identified seed – Off- NOTE: Cultivars, ecovars, and source- in the defined region. To maintain ge- spring of plants collected from a identified seed are usually named, and that netic diversity in ensuing generations, single defined natural population name is used to denote any plant material little to no selection is done during of a native species for production subsequently marketed from these seed par- of seed. No selection is done dur- ent sources.

South Carolina Native Plant Society • Spring 2007 3 Orchids, from page 1 Two of the orchid species in the Steed Creek Road is a paved Francis Marion that require burning two-lane road that runs North/South of competitive vegetation are Ptero- through the center of the Forest. glossaspis ecristata (crestless plume or- But, to those of us who know it well, chid) and Gymnadeniopsis integra (yel- it is called Orchid Alley. All along low fringeless orchid). Both species this road, in the ditches and roadside seem to completely disappear within banks, one can find many of the com- two or three years after a burn if the mon species of orchids that bloom burns are not repeated. It is thought in the Francis Marion. That is quite that the plants resort to dormancy or a sight, especially in the spring and produce minor early summer vegetative growth when the pinks during the inter- of Cleistes divar- burn period, ap- icata (spreading parently waiting pogonia) and for the vegetative Pogonia ophio- Platanthera cristata, crested fringed orchid competition to be glossoides (rose removed. Both of Calopogon multiflorus (many-flowered pogonia) and these species are grass-pink) blooming several weeks the magentas of quite rare in the after March or April burns, although the Calopogon Francis Marion, this particular species has not been species are at and it is quite a seen there for several years. their best. In pleasant surprise There are two seasons when or- the fall, the to come across chid flowering is most plentiful in the orange, white, these beauties in Francis Marion. The first is May-June. and yellow bloom. The species normally found then are torches of the The first Calopogon barbatus (bearded grass- fringed orchids Calopogon barbatus, bearded grass-pink orchids to bloom pink), Calopogon tuberosus (common hold court along in the Francis grass-pink), Calopogon pallidus (pale those same roadside banks, sometimes Marion are Listera australis (southern grass-pink), Cleistes divaricata (spread- in the hundreds. twayblade) and Corallorhiza wisteriana ing pogonia), Spiranthes praecox (giant Before Hurricane Hugo, the (Wister’s coralroot). Both can usually ladies-tresses), Spiranthes vernalis Francis Marion was one of the pre- be found blooming during late Febru- (spring ladies-tresses), and Pogonia eminent longleaf pine holdings in the ary thru early March. The flowers of ophioglossoides (rose pogonia). My southeastern United States. In 1989, Listera australis favorites of these are that hurricane came inland in the are usually some the Calopogon spe- central portion of the Francis Marion shade of greenish cies, because of the and destroyed many thousands of or brownish red, wide variety of colors mature longleaf pines and live oaks. but also can be that the flowers ex- This turned out to be a two-edged found in shades hibit, from pinks and sword, since it also opened up many of tan or yellow. magentas to the rare areas that had previously become Regardless of the white form. Many of choked with deciduous trees and flower color, the these colorful spe- shrubs. In looking at practical ways plants are quite cies are easily spot- to bring back the longleaf pine forest, difficult to see in ted from the road. the U. S. Forest Service undertook a the leaf and pine Another summer serious program of prescribed burn- needle litter on species that has been ing as a way to control the growth the forest floor. recorded in the past of undesirable species. Many of the Depending upon is the very fragrant orchid species we all love not only do the timing of an- Gymnadeniopsis well under prescribed burn regimes, nual burns, you nivea (snowy orchid), but several species actually require might be lucky but like Calopogon regular burning in order to come back enough to find multiflorus, it has not year after year. Cleistes divaricata, spreading pogonia

4 South Carolina Native Plant Society • Spring 2007 been seen in several In October and Jim is the author of Wild Orchids of years. November, sev- South Carolina: A Natural History, The second eral other orchid and is currently working on a new book orchid flowering species bloom and about orchids and carnivores of the season is August- bring an end to the Green Swamp in southeastern North September. This year’s orchid show. Carolina. is when the Plat- These species anthera species are include Spiranthes usually at their cernua (nodding best. Included are ladies’-tresses), the Platanthera cris- fragrant Spiranthes tata (crested fringed odorata (fragrant orchid), Platanthera ladies’ tresses), flava var. flava and the unusual (southern tubercled Ponthieva racemosa orchid), Platanthera (shadow-witch conspicua (south- orchid). The latter ern white fringed Habenaria repens, water spider orchid species prefers orchid), and Platan- the highly basic thera ciliaris (yellow soils that have fringed orchid). Since the latter two resulted from paving the forest service have overlapping bloom periods, it roads with crushed oyster shells. The is not unusual to find their hybrid slightly acidic rainwater leaches out offspring, Platanthera x lueri (Luer’s calcium from the shells and deposits it hybrid fringed orchid). in the adjacent ditches, where Pon- Other species found blooming thieva racemosa thrives. Calopogon pallidus,pale grass-pink during this time are Epidendrum mag- I find myself wanting to tell Editor’s note: Steed Creek Road, so noliae (green-fly orchid), Habenaria everyone I meet about the awesome aptly described by Jim as Orchid Alley, repens (water-spider orchid), Tipu- native plants found in the Francis is under consideration for “improve- laria discolor Marion ment”, which includes adding lanes and (crane-fly National For- deepening ditches. This will drastically orchid), est, but am alter the habitat in the vicinity of the Triphora constantly road, and interfere with the currently trianthophora reminded by active controlled burning program by (three birds the holes left USFS, which is so important to native orchid), and by poachers habitats and wildlife. SCNPS is on Malaxis spi- that not ev- record as opposing this plan. cata (Florida eryone shares adder’s- my ethic mouth). toward the The Journal of the Epidendrum environment. magnoliae Fortunately, South Carolina is the only these illegal Native Plant Society epiphytic diggings are orchid found Epidendrum magnoliae, green-fly orchid few and far Published quarterly in South between, but Editor: Bill Stringer Carolina, the remainder are terrestrial it does cause concern among those of Design Editor: Charlene Mayfield orchids. Epiphytic orchids grow on us who love the Francis Marion and Upstate Chapter - Greenville tree trunks or limbs. White false in- hope that it will remain the wild and Lowcountry Chapter - digo, Baptisia albescens. In the Francis natural treasure that it is. Charleston Marion, Epidendrum magnoliae prefers Midlands Chapter - Columbia to grow on live oak, swamp tupelo, or Jim Fowler, 26 Mills Ave, Greenville, Piedmont Chapter - Rock Hill bald cypress. SC 29605 [email protected]. www.scnps.org

South Carolina Native Plant Society • Spring 2007 5 Fig. 2 This compos- ite image illustrates the overall appear- ance of a cogongrass infestation, and the nature and location of key features for identification of co- gongrass. Note the typical upright shoots of cogongrass. Inset 1 Inset 2

All photos courtesy of The Bugwood YL Network www. forestryimages.org B

L

S

Inset 3

Inset 4

Inset 5 L S B

Inset 6

To identify cogongrass in other seasons, look for the dense, upright leafy shoots (figure 2 & inset 6). Look closely at the leaves for the 1⁄2 inch-wide leaf blades, with a slightly off-center white mid-vein (inset 3). In older leaves the mid-vein may be light yellow. The edges of the leaf blades are harsh and serrated, so be careful. Follow the leaf blade (B) down to where it joins to the leaf sheath (S in inset 4). At the base of the blade is a prominent ligule (L) that clasps the younger leaf (YL) inside it. The sheath (S) and bottom side of the blade (B) will have long hairs (inset 5). This combination of leaf characteristics is a good diagnostic tool for any season of the year.

6 South Carolina Native Plant Society • Spring 2007 Beware: Cogongrass is coming! Bill Stringer, Cogongrass Task Force Entomology, Soils & Plant Sciences Dept., Clemson University & SC Native Plant Society

We are in one of those moments Gulf states? We must be able to detect in time in which a potential disaster new infestations of cogongrass early in is poised at the point where prompt, their development, before they have effective action may avert the problem. time to produce seeds and spread. To That potential disaster is cogongrass, do this, we need vigilant observers in Imperata cylindrica, a highly invasive the countryside, people aware of the exotic grass that is causing huge prob- scope of the potential problem, and lems in ecosystems in the Deep South. willing to promptly report suspicious- Fig. 3 Dense winter-killed top-growth of Cogongrass invades forests and looking plants. We are counting on cogongrass. grasslands, farmland, and public people whose work or travel takes them rights-of-way. It has the potential to down roads, rights-of-way, and into dominate these kinds of sites, replacing fields and forests across South Carolina, natural vegetation, as well as forestry to help detect new infestations. Early and agricultural plants. It has very lim- discovery and prompt, effective control ited value to any animal wildlife spe- measures can reduce the chances for cies. It spreads via wind-blown seeds spread. and transported rhizome pieces, with Here is what to look for: You will the greatest danger of spread is from find cogongrass in open sites to moder- seeds. Should this species thwart our ate-canopy forest sites, and on dry to efforts to limit its spread, it will have moist soils, even soils that are periodi- huge impact on our natural areas, hunt- cally wet, but not in wetlands. It is a ing lands, and crop-production areas. warm-season grass that grows in dense, Fig. 4 Green floppy growth of cogon- The reason for the anxious tone of upright stands 2 to 4 feet tall (figure grass. this article is that we are probably just 2). It flowers in mid-spring (inset 1), before the point at which this invasive but can bloom any time in summer. and location of plants relative to travel species may explode across the land- Its seeds mature in fluffy white spikes direction. scape. The experience with cogongrass within 3 to 4 weeks of blooming (inset • Get odometer readings back to a development in Georgia (see figure 1) is 2). The seeds are small, with long fluffy defined landmark. typical of the development of an inva- hairs that enable them to travel long • As soon as feasible (don’t let the sun go sive pest. The current state of cogon- distances in the wind. The easiest time down on your find), report it to the lo- grass development in South Carolina to identify cogongrass is in this seed- cal CU Extension office in your area probably corresponds with the situation maturing stage. But, if we can’t catch it (http://www.clemson.edu/extension/ in Georgia in 2002-2003. until seeds are present, the chances of contact.htm for phone and e-mail list- So what must we do to avoid the seed escape and spread are high. ings for local Extension offices.). You explosion witnessed in Georgia and the Cogongrass growth may not be so can also report your find directly to the upright in winter and early CU Department of Plant Industry spring (see figures 3 & 4). (DPI) at 864 646 2130 or e-mail However, the very dense [email protected]. E-mail any growth is still obvious, and notes, pictures, location info, etc. you any area with a dense cover might have, and this info will receive of grass with wide leaves prompt attention. should be examined. What should you do if If you work or travel in the South you find cogongrass, or what Carolina countryside regularly, we will you suspect may be cogon- be happy to provide you with easily grass? portable plant descriptions, as well as • If you have a camera, get contact information for reporting any pictures. suspicious plants. This is a rare op- • If you have a GPS, record portunity we have, to possibly stave off Fig. 1 Cogongrass stands in Georgia, 1994 – 2006. Today, the coordinates for the site. a serious environmental problem. Let’s South Carolina is probably similar to Georgia in 2003. • Make note of road or right- work together to make the most of this Adapted from a Georgia Invasive Species Task Force figure opportunity. (www.cogongrass.org). of-way info, travel direction

South Carolina Native Plant Society • Spring 2007 7 data by county within South Caro- The USDA Plants Database: lina. You can also access information A Review By Bill Stringer on threatened status, wetland status, or invasive status of the plant. High on the list of bookmarks on broomstraw, your favorite pet name In the gray column where you my internet browser is http://plants. for broomsedge bluestem (Andropogon indicated name type, you can create usda.gov/ , for the US Department of virginicus). Also, watch for slightly a list of plants found in a selected Agriculture’s Plant Database website. different endings for scientific names State, or you can tailor your search This site is devoted to an extensive such as scoparius vs. scoparium (the by choosing Advanced search. For listing of plant species, both native winner). If you only know the genus example, you can create a list of all and introduced, found in the USA. It name, enter it to get a listing of spe- plant species found in Greenville contains photos and line drawings, as cies under that genus. County, SC, or you can restrict your well as taxonomic and morphological If all goes well, you will be taken list to a certain genus or family. You information on over 40,000 plants, to a Name Search page where you can refine your list to include only and indicates the “political” status may see a listing that includes related tree species, or you can list by annual of plants (wetland plants, endan- species in the same genus, or you may vs. perennial (duration). You can gered plants, noxious weeds, and see a listing that includes taxonomic create lists of noxious weed species, invasive plants). The database can synonyms for the species. When threatened/endangered species, or be searched in a number of different you click on a name in the list, you wetland species. You can list species ways. will be taken to a Plant Profile page, with cultural significance (medicinal, When you enter the site, you can from which you can access a variety historical, etc.), from which you can enter a common name or a scientific of information about the species. get a description of the significance name (the default is scientific), and Commonly there is a picture or a line for individual species. By selecting upon clicking Go to start the search, drawing of the species on the Profile the right search criteria, you can meet you will be taken to a Plant Profile page, and some species may have almost any feasible need for a list of page. If you enter a common name, be several images, indicated by thumb- plant species. sure to highlight common, otherwise nail images. Most of the images can The USDA Plants Database you will get no output. Be careful be accessed as a larger version. These contains a large number of plant spe- of typos in entering the plant name, images are free for use, as long as you cies and a wide variety of information as the site is not very adept in cor- credit the Database as the source. about them, stored in a searchable recting your spelling. Use scientific On the Profile page you can see format. I recommend you take some names whenever you can, as com- a map showing distribution of the time to get familiar with this website. mon names can be regional in usage, species around the US, and for many This can be a valuable tool in becom- and the Database may not recognize species, you can access distribution ing more “plant-smart”.

Non-profit Organization U.S. Postage South Carolina Native Plant Society PAID P.O. Box 491 NORRIS, SC PERMIT NO. 7 Norris, South Carolina 29667 Return Service Requested

8 South Carolina Native Plant Society • Spring 2007