07 December 2023.
Monroe County, Alabama, United States
Locality: Between Monroe County Route 1 and Tom Hayles Road.
Coordinates: 31.4058, -87.5492
(Map it)
Elevation: 22m.
Georeference protocol: Lat/lon determined by GPS
Habitat: Wild Habitat
Environment description: In woodlands on limestone outcrop. While the upper area of slopes is covered by a thin soil layer, the exposed limestone rock outcrop on the northwestern edge of this area is a low competition niche for plants like the Hydrangea to gain a foothold. Slope: 60% (plus). Aspect: Northwest. Elevation: 72 feet.
Number of plants sampled: 7
Associated species: Hydrangea quercifolia; Aesculus parviflora; Bignonia capreolata; Hexastylis arifolia; Adiantum capillus-veneris; Lithospermum tuberosum; Magnolia acuminata; Ostrya virginiana; Juniperus virginiana; Frangula caroliniana; Euonymus americanus; Rhus glabra; Hydrangea barbara [listed as Decumaria barbara]; Solidago flexicaulis; Quercus michauxii; Liquidambar styraciflua; Acer saccharum subsp. floridanum [listed as Acer floridanum]; Quercus nigra; Carpinus caroliniana; Spigelia marilandica; Anemone acutiloba [listed as Hepatica acutiloba]; Heuchera americana; Viola walteri; Ulmus americana; Vitis sp.; Platanus occidentalis; Carex flaccosperma; Celtis pumila [listed as Celtis tenuifolia]; Ditrysinia fruticosa; Elephantopus sp.; Smilax sp.; Viburnum rufidulum; Viburnum dentatum; Sideroxylon lanuginosum; Hamamelis virginiana; Aralia spinosa; Rubus sp.; Asplenium platyneuron.
Comment: Wild hydrangea is a multistemmed, suckering, deciduous shrub, 4-8 feet tall. It occurs on banks or benches of streams and rivers, bluffs, ravine slopes, or rocky outcrops. Stems green and slightly pubescent when young, aging tan-brown with exfoliating bark, ad have a large central pith. Leaves opposite, petiolate; cordate, ovate, or oval; pubescent; margins serrate; upper surface dark green, lower surface pale green; turning yellow in the fall. Flowers white, in terminal, flat-topped compound cymes, summer. Dried inflorescences persistent and provide late season winter interest. Fruit: dehiscent capsule, October to November. Plants are occasional on the exposed limestone edge at this site. Seed collected from 7 plants.
Collector(s):