10 September 2022.
Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States
Locality: Plants are growing on the lands of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. This species was common, but generally restricted to steep rocky outcrops.
Coordinates: 40.6381, -75.9884
(Map it)
Elevation: 420m.
Habitat: Wild Habitat
Environment description: Plants are growing from shade to full sun on a dry-mesic to very dry, well-drained upland/montane habitat characterized by an upland mixed deciduous and evergreen forest that is very rocky. Even so, most heavily fruited plants were growing in part shade to almost full sun. All of the plants found in this habitat go through periods of drought during the growing season due to the limited litter/soil layer in which moisture can be held. The underlying geology of this area is of Silurian origin and comprised of Shawangunk Formation. This formation is primarily light- to dark-gray, fine- to very coarse-grained sandstone and conglomerate containing thin shale interbeds.
Source: USGS Pennsylvania Geologic Map Data (https://mrdata.usgs.gov/geology/state/sgmc-unit.php?unit=PASs%3B14)
The surface soil profile of this area is the Hazleton series consists of deep and very deep, well drained soils formed in residuum of acid gray, brown or red sandstone on uplands. The matrix includes a considerable accumulation of thin, flat, coarse fragments of sandstone, limestone, or schist with diameters up to 15 cm. Slope ranges from 0-80%. Permeability is moderately rapid to rapid.
Source: NRCS Web Soil Survey (https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/WebSoilSurvey.aspx)
Number of plants sampled: 50
Associated species: Ilex montana, Hamamelis virginiana, Acer rubrum, Betula lenta, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Prunus serotina, Polypodium virginianum, Rubus sp., Quercus rubra, Solidago sp., Solidago flexicaulis, Sassafras albidum, Toxicodendron radicans, Aralia nudicaulis, Pinus strobus, Nyssa sylvatica, Acer pensylvanicum, Vaccinium stamineum, Vaccinium sp., Kalmia latifolia, Quercus montana, Juniperus virginiana, Tsuga canadensis, Viburnum acerifolium, Amelanchier sp., Sorbus americana, Persicaria pensylvanica, Carex sp., Cornus florida, Castanea dentata, Ilex mucronata, Quercus coccinea, Sambucus canadensis, Quercus prinoides, Gaylussacia baccata, Dryopteris marginalis
Comment: Plants are multi-stemmed, clumping, broadleaved evergreen shrubs with a dense rounded to broad-rounded habit. Mature plants range in size from 1.5-3.5 meters tall x 1.5-4 meters wide. Fruits are capsules, 1.5-2.5 cm long x 0.3-.05 cm wide and borne erect in clusters on pedicels with abundant stipitate glandular hairs. Leaves are evergreen, alternate, simple, and oblong to ovate shape. Leaves are generally dull green above and pale green beneath, thick and coriaceous and revolute. Leaves range in size from 9-20 cm long x 2-5 cm wide.
Collector(s):