Anybody Seen My Focus?: Clark Hill Wildlife Management Area: Early Spring Wildflowers

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Clark Hill Wildlife Management Area: Early Spring Wildflowers

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April 6th, 2013. We drove over to the Clark Hill Wildlife Management Area to look for Adder’s Tongue ferns. We didn’t find any but were treated to a number of early spring wildflowers.

Green-and-gold (Chrysogonum virginianum)

We saw only one small patch of these on the north side of the road just around the bend from the check-in station. This species is found in many counties in north Georgia as well as some counties in south Georgia.

Birdfoot Violet (Viola pedata)

These were growing on the south side of the road just around the bend from the check-in station and extended for one-quarter to one-half a mile. The area on the north side of the road had been burned recently so it wasn’t possible to determine if these also grew on that side of the road. This species is also found more frequently in north Georgia counties than in south Georgia counties

An unusual white variant

Yellow Stargrass, Hairy Yellow Stargrass, Common Stargrass (Hypoxis hirsuta)

There were just a couple of Yellow Stargrass plants on the top of the embankment among the Birdfoot Violets. One was doing well; the other was not thriving. This species may be found in many counties throughout Georgia

Rattlesnakeweed, Veiny Hawkweed (Hieracium venosum)

Rattlesnake Weed plants are easily recognized by the characteristic leaf coloration. These were just setting buds and will be flowering before long. This species is found more frequently in counties in north Georgia than in south Georgia.

Trumpet Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)

We found Trumpet Honeysuckle blooming in a couple of places. This species may be found in counties throughout Georgia.

The characteristic perfoliate leaves

Hog Plum, Flatwoods Plum (Prunus umbellata)

These trees were blooming in many places in the WMA. This particular plant was only three to four feet high which made photographing the flowers easy. This species may be found in counties throughout Georgia except for the most northen counties.

Resurrection Fern, Scaly Polypody (Pleopeltis polypodioides)

We found some nice specimens of Resurrection Fern, a species that may be found in counties throughout Georgia.

Yellow Thistle (Cirsium horridulum)

This species may have cream, pink or maroon flowers. The plants in this area weren’t producing the foot-high flower stalks I’m familiar with at home. The flower stalks were almost non-existent; the plants were producing flowers at ground level. This species is found in many counties in Georgia.

Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)

We didn’t see too many Flowering Dogwoods in the WMA. This tree was in full bloom at the edge of the woods not far from the lake. This species may be found in counties throughout Georgia.