Spring Bartonia; Coastal Plain Endemic

Bartonia verna flowers (03/11/15)

Spring Bartonia (Bartonia verna) is an unexpected member of the Gentian family that appears in early spring. One of the many species first discovered by Andre Michaux, populations are restricted, or endemic, to the outer coastal plain of the southeastern US. The northernmost range consists of a single population located near VA Beach (Belden etal. 2004, reported in Castanea). Over half of the states where it has been documented consider it to be rare, including North Carolina.  A couple of the other states (MS, AL) have not explicitly considered its rarity, but like surrounding states it is almost certainly very restricted in those areas; Florida is the only state where the species is widespread (http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=Bave2)

Spring Bartonia habitat at a site in South Carolina (03/11/15);
Pond Cypress depression pond with extensive standing water at flowering time

Sorrie & Weakley 1999 consider Bartonia's range generally synonymous with longleaf pine. The local habitat often includes wetland margins such as the example shown above on the Francis Marion National Forest.  The flowering Bartonia individuals located at this site occurred adjacent to pitcher plants, especially the Hooded Pitcher (Sarracenia minor), and Peanut-Grass (Amphicarpum muhlenbergianum). 

Bartonia verna multi-floral stem just opening

Bartonia verna in several inches of standing water; amidst brown stems of  Peanut-Grass

All Bartonia species (we have 3 in our area) are similar in having reduced leaves and root characteristics which may suggest a dependence on mychorrizal relationships to gain nutrients. Although B. verna has not been studied, Cameron & Bolin (2010) found that Bartonia virginica plants were enriched in carbon and nitrogen relative to surrounding vegetation and suggest that species is at least partially mycoheterotropic.

Lost & Found: Bent Trillium

After a recent speaking engagement for the Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT) I was invited to visit a privately owned property. Having driven through the local area, I was dismayed by the extent and domination of invasive plants and didn't set my sights too high.

Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora)
eating up the woods in Polk County, NC

However, it was soon apparent this site was a wildflower paradise. A host of spring flowers and native plants clothed the ground including a number of Trilliums. It didn't take long to recognize that I didn't recognize them all! After some research, I began to suspect an unusual species for North Carolina was present. Rumour had it that the NC Native Plant Society had previously been to the site. I checked with Tom Harville and Mark Rose and, sure enough, they indicated seeing at least two Trilliums of special conservation interest in North Carolina. Based on these reports and my own observations, I was able to convene a "Trillium Dream Team" of sorts to revisit the site and attempt to officially document the various species present.

3 members of Trillium Dream Team
Tom Patrick, David Campbell,
 Jim Matthews

Tom Patrick (GA DNR), Jim Matthews (UNCC retired), David Campbell (UNCC Herbarium), James Padgett (NC Natural Heritage Program), Kathy Schlosseer (PCP Board Chair), Mimi Westervelt (FOPC member extraordinaire) met on-site in early May.

It wasn't long before Jim, David, and James were building a plant list for the property, adding a host of species to the list the landowner had previously assembled. Just a short walk down the trail we found the main target of our efforts.

Bent Trillium (Trillium flexipes) rediscovered in NC near Pacolet Falls

Bent Trillium (Trillium flexipes) has a wide geographic range in eastern North America, centered in the Midwestern states (see below). This Trillium is considered "globally secure" by NatureServe and the network of Natural Heritage Programs.  However, the species trails off in the south, just barely reaching north Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. Here in North Carolina the species has been reported from 3 western counties all of which are considered to be "extirpated or possibly extirpated".

With this confirmation and "re-discovery", Bent Trillium is once again considered an extant member of our native flora. We hope to continue working with the private landowner to protect this important site for posterity.  The NC Plant Conservation Program has set a goal to permanently protect each native plant species in its natural habitat; this site is a "no-brainer"!

Sweet White Trillium (Trillium simile) near Pacolet Falls

Another significant species documented during our visit is Sweet White Trillium a.k.a Jeweled Wakerobin. In contrast to the wide distribution of Bent Trillium, Trillium simile is a narrow Southern Appalachian endemic found only in TN, GA, SC, and NC. NatureServe ranks it as globally vulnerable and the NC Plant Conservation Program considers it to be threatened and thereby worthy of protection efforts.