April 2nd,
2014. We made a short trip over to Devil’s Fork State Park, South Carolina in search of Shortia galacifolia (Oconee
Bells, Southern Shortia) and Monotropsis odorata
(Pygmy Pipes, Appalachian Pygmy Pipes, Sweet Pinesap). While
we were there we made a side trip to Oconee Station Historic Site and the
Station Cove Falls.
Map of the trails from the Oconee Station Historic Site to
the falls. We parked at the historic site and walked down to the pond. The main
trail stays on the highway side of the pond and follows the creek up to the
highway. Although the map shows a trail around the pond, it is quite primitive.
It was late in the day so we decided to hike to the falls the following
morning.
The only wildflower we found at the pond were patches of Bird's-foot Violets (Viola pedata)
and these were along the dam.
To reach Station Cove Falls, we parked on the highway where
the trail from the Oconee Station Historic Site crosses the road. The main
trail connects the historic site to Oconee State Park which is about 3-1/2
miles from the highway and is intended for hiking and mountain biking. It’s
wide and easy hiking. Logs have been embedded in some short sections to
stabilize the trail where puddles would form after rain. The trail initially
descends from the highway and then follows a contour along the hillside until
it crosses the valley along the creek, periodically crossing tributaries to the
creek. The area is an open, deciduous forest that is relatively dry until the
area In the immediate vicinity of the falls which is much more humid.
We were surprised by the number of Little Sweet Betsy trilliums (Trillium cuneatum) that we
found along the first half of the trail.
Among these was an unusual ‘double’ variant with two sets of
leaves and flowers.
We also saw an unusually large number of ‘yellow’ variant
Little Sweet Betsy trilliums – on the left side of this cluster of flowers.
Closer views of one of these variants.
Bloodroot
(Sanguinaria canadensis). This is the first time that I have seen Bloodroot in
bloom. These were a little past their best but still impressive. The leaf is
visible to the right of the bloom and with grow larger with time.
Some
Bloodroot plants had finished blooming and seedpods were developing.
There
were a few clumps of the Common Blue Violet (Viola sororia).
We found
a single cluster of Virginia Pennyroyal (Obolaria virginica) plants in bloom.
This is the first time I’ve seen this wildflower.
Robin’s
Plantain (Erigeron pulchellus) plants were beginning to bloom.
We were
surprised to find Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) blooming in full
sunshine by the side of the trail. Usually we have seen these in sheltered
areas. We found several more plants in open areas.
Closer
views of this flower.
Perfoliate
Bellwort (Uvularia perfoliata). This was the only plant of this species that we
saw on the trail. It was blooming a short distance from the Jack-in-the-pulpit.
Continued at: Wildflowers At Oconee Station Historic
Site and Station Cove Falls (Part 2)
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