07 October 2022.
Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States
Locality: Plants growing on the steep banks along Octoraro Creek accessed by canoe. Plants are locally common but generally infrequent along the Octoraro Creek.
Coordinates: 39.7444, -76.0886
(Map it)
Elevation: 66m.
Habitat: Wild Habitat
Environment description: Plants are growing in part-shade to sun of mixed deciduous and evergreen forests on steep rocky habitats overlain by relatively deep soil over occasionally exposed geology along the Octoraro Creek.
Soils: The underlying geology of this area is estimated to be of lower Paleozoic origin and comprised of Peters Creek Schist. This is comprised of chlorite-sericite schist containing interbedded quartzite.
Source: USGS Pennsylvania Geologic Map Data (https://mrdata.usgs.gov/geology/state/sgmc-unit.php?unit=PAPZpc%3B0)
The primary soil types in the collection area are classified as Manor loam, 25 to 35 percent slopes, very stony. The soils in the collecting area originated as residuum, weathered from the micaceous schist exposed geology and are generally considered coarse-loamy, micaceous, mesic typic dystrudepts that are very acidic and well-drained. There is a variable depth of soil depending upon the steepness of slopes. Some areas contain significant exposed Peters Creek Schist overlain by a highly decomposed organic mat intermingled with a dense root mat of woody and herbaceous plants.
Source: NRCS Web Soil Survey (https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/WebSoilSurvey.aspx)
Number of plants sampled: 5
Associated species: Kalmia latifolia, Lindera benzoin, Carpinus caroliniana, Polystichum acrostichoides, Toxicodendron radicans, Vaccinium corymbosum, Polygonum pensylvanicum, Sassafras albidum, Urtica dioica, Boehmeria cylindrica, Carya glabra, Hamamelis virginiana, Viburnum dentatum, Acer rubrum, Dennstaedtia punctilobula, Acer negundo, Eurybia divaricata, Betula lenta, Cornus florida, Polypodium virginianum, Fagus grandifolia, Dryopteris marginalis, Quercus velutina, Quercus montana, Quercus alba, Chionanthus virginicus, Phytolacca americana, Prunus serotina, Rhododendron periclymenoides, Liriodendron tulipifera, Ageratina altissima
Comment: This species is a large, single-stemmed, coniferous, evergreen tree; specimens range from 4-20+ meters tall and 3-12 meters wide. These trees have a narrow conical habit and are growing in colonies. While some trees had dead branches, Hemlock Wooly Adelgid was not observed at this time of year. Needles appear two-ranked and flattened, the undersurface is glaucous with two prominent stomatal bands; the upper surface is dark shiny green; margins are minutely serrated. Easily identified from other species by leaves borne only the upper side of the stem upside down, showing the underside of the leaf. Cones are ovoid, 1.5-2.5 cm long and borne on the ends of the branches.
Collector(s):