Flame Azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum)

Flame Azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum)

If the plant kingdom had the ability to hold their own beauty contests I think it would be safe to say that the Flame Azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum) would be a perennial powerhouse pick to take home the crown each and every year.  It's hard enough to compete with the other azaleas and rhododendrons within the Ericaceae family but the brilliant and unique flame orange blooms of this species really sets it apart from the rest.

Flame Azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum)

Ohio is home to four indigenous species of Rhododendron : Rosebay (R. maximum); Rose Azalea (R. prinophyllum); Pinxter-flower (R. periclymenoides) and the featured Flame Azalea (R. calendulaceum).  All four are state-listed and quite rare in Ohio with the flame azalea being the rarest and currently listed as endangered.  Fathom that our most gorgeous and unsurpassed rhododendron species would also be our most uncommon.  Even in pre-settlement times these plants were infrequent and scattered in local populations throughout south-central Ohio, only to be dug up and transplanted by early pioneers and settlers for their homesteads and gardens; a practice still used today.  I can't say that I blame them for wanting to bring the beauty and 'fire' home with them to enjoy and cherish.

Rhododendron calendulaceum distribution map courtesy BONAP

Observing the range of the flame azalea reveals its southern Appalachian distribution from Alabama and Georgia, up through the Cumberland plateau and onto the Allegheny plateau in Ohio and West Virginia before suddenly ceasing before reaching into New England.  Ohio's outlier part of the range is a direct result of the antiquated and pre-glacial Teay's River flowing northwest from Virginia, though West Virginia and on into our state.  This long extinct river was a super highway for southern and coastal plain flora to migrate up into current day southern and southeastern Ohio; such as the flame azalea.

Flame Azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum)

The scientific epithet calendulaceum translates to 'like a calendula', which is a genus of vascular plants with similarly colored flowers native to Macaronesia and the Mediterranean region.  The common name of flame azalea actually recognizes the resemblance of the shrubs swollen, unopened flower buds to the flame of a candle.  It's just as easy to assume it also refers to the scintillating orange color of the flowers.

Flame Azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum)

Unlike the evergreen and leathery leaves of the later-blooming rosebay rhododendron, the flame azalea as well as the other two pink taxa have deciduous leaves.  Without such obvious and conspicuous leaves it can be pretty difficult to notice and locate these deciduous azaleas when not in their blatantly obvious flower-mode.  I can only imagine what was going through famed French botanist Andre Michaux's mind when he first came across this striking shrub back in the late 1700's in the southeastern United States.  Seeing large patches and colonies of these in full, glorious bloom must be something an individual is not likely to forget in their lifetime.

Flame Azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum)

It's not too uncommon to see these remarkable shrubs planted and used in cultivation throughout the acidic soiled regions of Ohio.  It has become an increasingly difficult thing to determine the validity and origin of newly discovered populations of this species considering their ornamental value and popularity.  I'd find it hard to believe that there would be any natural populations left undiscovered in Ohio.  Being so pronounced and meretricious during a few weeks in late spring is an easy way to get noticed by even the most casual observer.

I'm very thankful to have come across the opportunity to see and photograph this flawless and superlative plant and mark it off my life species list.  The only thing better than the thrill of the hunt is the ecstasy of discovery!  I hope you enjoyed this post but now it's time to pack up and head down to Shawnee state forest for Flora-Quest 2012!  I can't wait for what adventures and experiences this year holds and will be sure to share it all upon my return.

Spring in Shawnee State Forest

There are few better places to enjoy spring in full swing than the majestic rolling hills and deep shaded hollows of Shawnee State Forest in Scioto county.  It has been dubbed by many as the "Little Smokies of Ohio" for its similarity in appearance and biodiversity to the famed national park further to the southeast.  At over 60,000 acres it is Ohio's largest state forest and provides the public with hiking, bridle trails, camping, boating, birding, fishing and hunting opportunities.  For someone like myself it's the long and diverse list of flora that beckons me within its confines.  Shawnee is home to many of the state's great plant rarities among the countless other uncommon and interesting species scattered throughout.  A slow and careful drive down the forested gravel roads come April and May will reward the ardent observer with stunning displays of wildflowers and ferns that are nigh on impossible to beat elsewhere in the state.

Birdsfoot Violet (Viola pedata)

Making your way along select areas of forest road passing through dry and sun-drenched ridge tops may result in the lucky glimpse of a most royal shade of purple.  The Birdsfoot Violet (Viola pedata) is a threatened species in Ohio with a good amount of its remaining populations occurring in Shawnee.  An added bonus is many of these violets exhibit a gorgeous bi-color appearance as seen above.  Everywhere else I've ever seen this species it has always been a uniform light purple color.

Rose Azalea (Rhododendron prinophyllum)

If you recall a post I did a few months back on the rosebay rhododendron, I mentioned there were other additional native species to be found, this being one of them.  Rose Azalea (Rhododendron prinophyllum) is another state-listed species that calls Shawnee home in small pockets of acidic mixed oak woodland.  The flowers can range from nearly white to dark pink and are extremely fragrant.  It's rare to be the only living creature attracted to its beauty and aroma.  These plants are often abuzz with bees and flies all vying for a taste.

Rose Azalea (Rhododendron prinophyllum)

You have a relatively short window of opportunity each year to search out and discover small patches and colonies of these native shrubs.  Without the aid of their instantly noticeable and showy flowers you'd be hard pressed to find this any other time of the year.  Looking for other members of the heath family (Ericaceae) such as mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia), low bush blueberry (Vaccinium pallidum) and black huckleberry (Gaylussacia baccata) all growing together is a great place to start as I commonly see all those species in association with rose azalea.

Fire Pink (Silene virginica)

Sticking with the 'too hard to ignore' category of plants, Fire Pink (Silene virginica) is a frequent wildflower along Shawnee's roadsides come late April and May that is hard to ignore.  Not many other members of our native flora show off such a brilliant scarlet bloom which in turn do wonders in attracting the ruby-throated hummingbird, its primary pollinator.

Vernal Iris (Iris verna)

Another dweller of the xeric dirt banks and ridge tops in Shawnee is one of my most anticipated and beloved of spring's displays.  Vernal Iris (Iris verna) stands apart from its more water-appreciating kin and proudly boasts its dazzling flowers along sunny, open spans of rocky and well-drained soil in acidic oak woodlands.

Vernal Iris (Iris verna)

It's hard to believe something so delicate looking can survive and even flourish under such harsh habitat and environmental conditions.  It's toughness and determination to persevere and persist is evenly matched by its impressively good looks.

Large Yellow Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens)

One of the surprises Shawnee may share with you is the fortuitous encounter with large yellow lady's slippers (Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens).  You never know when you may just happen across a patch blooming alongside the road.  Just the other day I pulled the Subaru over to get out and admire a rather large grouping of two-flowered cynthia (Krigia biflora) when I noticed a scattering of them mixed in amongst the trees.

Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginicus)

The sprawling, contiguous forests of Shawnee are home to many rare and intriguing plant species but few are more unique and attention-grabbing than the Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginicus).  Much like the aforementioned rose azalea, these large shrubs or small trees are difficult to seek out when not brandishing its quite conspicuous flowers.  A member of the olive family (Oleaceae), this unusual woody plant is in the same family as our ash trees (Fraxinus spp.).

Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginicus)

The four-petaled flowers hang in large clusters off the new growth twigs and when in sunny situations can really put on an incredible display.  The flowers are very fragrant and can quickly call you to their attention when passing underneath a large specimen.  Rare in Ohio, it is restricted to the southernmost counties where it is at the northern fringe of its range (pun intended).  It becomes much more common in the southeast where it is often dug and planted for its ornamental value.

Spotted Mandarin (Prosartes maculata)

Another rarity seemingly sentenced to seclusion in the depths of Shawnee and the more or less next door Edge of Appalachia preserve is one of the most jaw-dropping spring wildflowers you're likely to find.  Spotted Mandarin (Prosartes maculata) is listed as threatened in Ohio with extant populations only left in Adams and Scioto counties where it occupies mesic slopes and ravines of mature mixed mesophyitic woods.  This plant is notorious for being hard to catch in perfect bloom with the petals and sepals only lasting a couple days before falling off at the slightest touch or breeze.  There's just no other wildflower like it with its creamy white petal's interior meticulously speckled with purple spots.

Dwarf Crested Iris (Iris cristata)

Perhaps one of the more common wildflowers lining the roads, streams and lower slopes of Shawnee is the charming Dwarf Crested Iris (Iris cristata).  Some people may be quick to label these as the previously shown vernal iris but it's important to take a look at the 'crest' on the upper surface of the sepals.  On the dwarf crest irises pictured above, you can see the crest is predominately colored white with some yellow mixing in closer towards the interior; while the vernal iris has almost an entirely yellow colored crest.

Dwarf Crested Iris (Iris cristata)

I'd always seen pictures and heard the dwarf crested iris can sometimes be found in an all-white albino form but had never had the personal satisfaction of finding one myself...until the other day.  The uniformly snow white petals and sepals are only blemished by the small yellow crests.

While there are literally hundreds of other wildflowers I could share to demonstrate the beauty and splendor of Shawnee state forest's spring display I will end it here and hope you enjoyed the ride through one of Ohio's greatest natural treasures.  I highly encourage you to take an afternoon or weekend day to explore the vastness and diversity of Shawnee.  All of these plants are visible and findable alongside the roads along with so much more.  It just takes patience, your attention and sometimes a little luck!

Plant Quiz Solved: Seaside Arrow-grass (Triglochin maritima)

Congrats and thanks to Justin for correctly identifying this plant as Seaside Arrow-grass (Triglochin maritima).  This unusual and rare species is listed as threatened in Ohio largely due to its ever-shrinking habitat of calcareous fens, marshes, swales and sandy beaches.  It's very similar to another species; Marsh Arrow-grass (T. palustris) which is also rare in Ohio, where they can occasionally grow alongside one another.  Seaside arrow-grass is much larger and more robust containing flowers on shorter, nearly sessile peduncles and six stamens/carpels; while marsh arrow-grass is smaller, thinner and has three stigma/carpels on flowers with longer peduncles. 

*Update*  Some additional clues to the identity of this species is its circumboreal distribution; the fact it is a monocotyledon; and the blurred background contains a diverse display of last year's grasses, sedges, spikerushes and bulrush in a wet, alkaline habitat.

Here is this week's plant quiz.  Take a look at the photograph below and comment with your answer or best guess!  Both plants in the picture are the same thing with the left specimen in full bloom.  Notice the blurred background hinting its typical habitat here in Ohio.  Good luck!

Showy Orchis (Galearis spectabilis)

I can still distinctly remember my first experience finding and observing a wild species of orchid out in the field.  I had long admired their beauty and unequaled physique in pictures from wildflower books and the internet but had never tangibly witnessed one with my own eyes.  It was four years ago on a warm and sunny afternoon in mid-May as I slowly weaved my way between the large tuliptrees, yellow buckeye and beech of a mature, mixed-mesophytic forest deep in Zaleski state forest.  The sun streamed through the closing emerald canopy and scattered in a patchwork fashion amongst the carpet of wildflowers and ferns below, while the newly arrived migrating birds whistled and warbled above.  I wasn't looking for anything specific other than to soak in the scenery and atmosphere of my new home here in the rolling, unglaciated hills of southeastern Ohio.  My casual gaze was caught by an exceptionally large yellow buckeye tree with a scattering of thick, succulent leaves emerging from the loamy soil; each with a short raceme of unusual pinkish-purple and cream colored flowers.  My heart skipped a beat as the realization slowly sank in that I was standing in front of my first orchid, the Showy Orchis (Galearis spectabilis).

Showy Orchis (Galearis spectabilis)

 After that initial experience my fate was sealed and I quickly became passionately obsessed with searching out and finding as many native wild orchids as I possibly could.  Only a short four years later has resulted in over 50 species of North American orchid (even one naturalizing European taxon) from all over the eastern United States and even parts of Canada.  My goal of seeing all 46 indigenous species to Ohio's soil currently stands at 39 with high hopes of crossing a few more off this season.  We'll see what mother nature has in store for me in the near future!

Showy Orchis distribution map courtesy of BONAP

The showy orchis is one of eastern North America's most well-distributed species ranging from the Great Lake states south to the Ozarks of Missouri and Arkansas; east across the Piedmont and southern Appalachians then continuing up through New England.  In Ohio it occurs throughout a majority of the state, only being absent in the northwest quarter.  Galearis spectabilis is diagnostic of mesic forests and woodlands with both acidic and calcareous situations.  It especially prefers north-facing slopes and well-drained ravine bottoms that have an accompanying diverse display of spring ephemeral wildflowers.  I have witnessed it in a variety of woodland sites but it seems to prefer and thrive in more mature, undisturbed forests rather than young and cut over stands.  In southeastern Ohio I seem to almost always find it in close association with the aforementioned yellow buckeye (Aesculus flava); which is an excellent indicator of its mixed-mesophytic/Appalachian cove home.

Showy Orchis (Galearis spectabilis)

Plant taxonomy is an ever-changing and evolving science and despite what others may say, it's never safe to get too comfortable with a plant's name.  Originally put under the Orchis genus banner by Linnaeus well over 200 years ago, it was separated and put into a new genus (Galearis) by botanist and overall Renaissance man Constance Rafinesque in an effort to set it apart from the Old World Orchis taxa.  Some botanists and taxonomists still refer to it as an Orchis but I do my best to stay up with the latest nomenclature and stick with Galearis; which in turn is a very fitting name.  Derived from the Greek word galea, meaning 'hood', Galearis refers to the confluence of the lateral petals and sepals that form a hood over the column and lower lip.  G. spectabilis is the only North American taxon of the genus with Asia's G. cyclochila being the only other member worldwide.

Showy Orchis (Galearis spectabilis)

It's always an excellent idea to take a closer look at this stunning orchid if for nothing else than to get a whiff of its intoxicating fragrance.  The charming 'hood' colored in soft pink or purple mixes nicely with the snow white lower lip, giving off an overall appearance of an opening mouth waiting to devour its pollinators.  There are two accepted color forms of the showy orchis: forma gordinierii which exhibits all-white flowers and forma willeyi which has entirely pink flowers.  I've yet to have the pleasure to see either form in person but have high hopes of doing so in the future!

Showy Orchis (Galearis spectabilis)

An even closer examination of the hood's underside reveals the sophisticated reproductive parts of the orchid.  Pollinators are attracted to the flowers by the long nectar-filled spur that protrudes out the back of the inflorescence.  Upon landing on the lower lip or 'runway', the insect probes the spur for a nectar meal and hopefully in the process picks up one of the two pollinia (special packages of pollen in orchid-speak) which are located within a sleeve-like structure under the hood.  Once finished with that particular individual inflorescence it's off to the next where it deposits the pollinia into the column (fused pistil and stamen of orchids) of the new flower.

Showy Orchis (Galearis spectabilis)

A side shot of the raceme of the showy orchis better reveals the hood, lower lip, and nectar spur.  Your blogger has a hard enough time keeping his nose away from the enchanting aroma of these flowers so I can only imagine the insatiable drive of its insect pollinators to get a taste of the equally delicious nectar.  Such an amazing symbiotic relationship insects and wildflowers share; a simple and perfectly evolved 'I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine'.  The insect gets a nutritious nectar and/or pollen meal while the plant gets pollinated and can set to seed; hopefully supplying the forest with future plants for other fellow orchid lovers and appreciators to find.

The Rare and Intriguing Heart-leaved Plantain

Scattered amongst the rocks and vegetation along this gravel bar lies one of Ohio's great vascular rarities: the Heart-leaved Plantain (Plantago cordata).  It's certainly not the type to jump out and catch your attention with it's inconspicuous flowers or basal rosette of leaves but it does have a beauty all its own.  This obligate wetland species is mostly restricted to small, clear, forested streams in areas with underlying dolomite limestone on gravel bars, rock crevices and banks.  The heart-leaved plantain relies on streams that are regularly eroded to aid in dispersal and cannot withstand additional sediment loads or siltation caused by agriculture and development; a major reason and cause for its subsequent population declines.  It has also been known to occur and grow in swampy, wet woods as well as forested floodplains.

Plantago cordata distribution map courtesy BONAP

Plantago cordata has a wide-spread distribution across the eastern half of the country; primarily in the Great Lakes region and Missouri with disjunct populations in New York state and to the Southeast.  Despite its broad range it has only been known from scattered and localized occurrences; even dating back to pre-settlement times, suggesting it has always been relatively rare.  Of the 18 states with known occurrences it's considered rare (threatened/endangered) in 13 of them, Ohio included, and extirpated/historic in 4 others.  It was once under consideration for federal listing and perhaps still is as I don't see this unusual plant's situation ever improving.

It's no easy task being a traditionally rare species with a strong association for pristine habitat and unaltered watersheds in today's world.  Stream degradation from logging and agricultural practices, development, and water pollution/sedimentation have all had immediate and drastic effects on the health and numbers within any population and are all major players in the continued decline of this fickle plantain.  Watershed protection and habitat management are crucial tasks necessary to preventing extirpation of this species.  Unfortunately our streams and waterways are continuously being ruined and polluted by human activities, leaving this fascinating plant in very real danger of extirpation from previous localities and eventually extinction.

This and other members of the Plantago genus are all very similar and seem to run together when trying to identify down to the species level.  There are ways to distinguish P. cordata from the other native/naturalized plantains in our state and it starts with the leaves.  Heart-leaved plantain dwindles down to a small rosette of basal leaves in the fall and over-winters as such before bouncing back with new growth in the spring.  The large, cordate (heart-shaped) leaves synonymous with this species aren't fully grown until the summer months after the flowering period but are still mature enough to use to distinguish in the spring.  Other plantains such as  P. rugelii and P. major have smaller leaves and have parallel venation with veins that branch off at the very base of the leaf where the petiole attaches.  On P. cordata the veins branch off further up the main vein instead of purely at the base (as seen above).

The flowers are similar to all other plantains; both native and introduced such as the English Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) you see in your yard. The 1-2' tall spikes consist of dozens of tiny, individual flowers with long protruding stamens and the pistils tucked further inside.  Once pollinated the ovary matures into a capsule containing a couple seeds that are water-dispersed.   Due to its semi-aquatic habit each seed has evolved to contain fleshy parts that are both buoyant and sticky so the seed will be able to float on the water during dispersal and stick to the substrate once it finds a suitable place to land and germinate.  It is said this has the lowest reproductive rate of any other Plantago species, adding to its population problems.

Upon closer inspection the flower spikes of the heart-leaved plantain are uniquely elegant and delicate and worth the camera's attention.  Unfortunately, Ohio's populations have severely declined in the last century with only two counties (Adams and Hardin) having extant populations with the other county records since destroyed or lost to the ages.  These images of the few dozen plants still clinging to existence along the waters of Plum Run are just one of a handful of populations left in Ohio for this endangered species.  I fear by the time I'm old in the knees and leading around a young and aspiring botanist through my old stomping grounds in the future I will be forced to merely share this plant's story rather than share the plant itself.  With the continued degradation of our natural world it's only a matter of time before this species and others in similar situations lose out to the times and slip into oblivion, only to survive on the tongues of those who saw them before they were gone...