13 November 2023.
Scotland County, North Carolina, United States
Locality: Sandhills Game Land: wetlands and moist depressions along Hoffman Road, Scotland County Road 1328,
Coordinates: 34.9551, -79.5177
(Map it)
Elevation: 112m.
Georeference protocol: Lat/lon determined by GPS
Habitat: Wild Habitat
Environment description: Plants are growing in part-shade to sun in an acidic wetland habitat rich in sphagnum and other obligate wetland species. The habitat is moist to wet year-round and periodically has surface runoff occurring; even so, this habitat can become quite dry during seasonal periods without rainfall. Slope: 2 to 3 percent. Aspect: Northeast. The underlying geology of this area is of Tertiary origin and characterized as Pinehurst Formation. It is comprised of medium- to coarse-grained sand as well as cross-bedding and rhythmic bands of clayey sand that are unconsolidated. (Source: USGS North Carolina Geologic Map Data.) The primary soil type in the collection area is classified as Pelion Loamy Sand (2 to 6 percent slopes). The Pelion Loamy Sand series consists of very deep, moderately well-drained marine deposits, fluviomarine deposits, and sand sheets. Permeability is moderately slow or slow. Surface layers 0-25 cm deep are comprised of loamy sand with a weak fine granular structure and are very friable. Deeper horizons are comprised of sandy loam, sandy clay loam, or clay loam in the upper part and includes sandy clay or clay in the deepest part. Soils are extremely acid to strongly acid. (Source: NRCS Web Soil Survey.)
Number of plants sampled: 25
Associated species: Rhododendron viscosum; Ilex glabra; Rhexia sp.; Acer rubrum; Aronia arbutifolia; Persea palustris; Pteridium aquilinum; Magnolia virginiana; Smilax laurifolia; Rhus copallinum; Clethra alnifolia; Cyrilla racemiflora; Morella cerifera; Rubus sp.; Vaccinium corymbosum; Lyonia mariana; Lyonia ligustrina; Liquidambar styraciflua; Nyssa sylvatica; Osmundastrum cinnamomeum; Morella caroliniensis; Pinus palustris; Sphagnum sp.; Liriodendron sp.; Solidago sp.; Ageratina altissima; Aristida stricta; Toxicodendron vernix; Symphyotrichum sp.; Viburnum nudum; Andropogon glomeratus.
Comment: This species is a multi-stemmed, deciduous, highly rhizomatous low growing shrub, forming large masses of sparsely branched ascending shoots. Mature fruiting plants are approximately 0.5-1.5 m tall x 1-2 m wide. Leaves are simple, alternate, and ovate with smooth margins and a rounded to acute tip; leaves are approximately 2-8 cm long x 0.5-2.5 cm wide. Foliage is peak fall color ranging from bright yellow to red and occasionally tints of purple; the undersides of the leaves are prominently glaucous white. Fruits are 5-valved capsules borne terminally and sub-terminally in clusters; capsules are round, 3.2-5 mm long x 4.8-6.5 mm wide. This plant is found occasionally in places with moist to wet habitats in this area.
Collector(s):