Field Observations – Chris Gatens

Brush Creek Falls – Mercer County, WV – May 6, 2006

Canby’s Mountain Lover – Paxistima canbyi

American Yew – Taxus canadensis

Fly Honeysuckle – Lonicera canadensis

Rough Arrowwood – Viburnum dentatum

Mountain Maple - Acer spicatum

Arborvitae – Thuja occidentalis

American Lily of the Valley – Convallaria montana 

Kanawha State Forest, Middle Ridge Trail – Kanawha County, WV – August 5, 2006 

Yellow-Fringed Orchid – Platanthera ciliaris  (200 flowering plants noted)

Chain Fern – Woodwardia areolata

Climbing Fern – Lygodium palmatum    

-All three of these plant species were growing in association on a dry SW facing slope. The tree canopy was comprised of Pitch Pine, Virginia Pine, Sourwood, White Oak, and Chestnut Oak. Common understory shrubs included Vaccinium sp. and Mountain Laurel.

Muddlety Exit  - Route 19 South – Nicholas County, WV – August 29, 2006

Featherbells – Stenanthium gramineum

-Twenty individual flowering plants were observed on the road cut near the edge of the woods. The plants were magnificent and ranged from 4 to 6 feet in height.