18 October 2023.
Chesterfield County, South Carolina, United States
Locality: Jefferson, South Carolina: Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge.
Coordinates: 34.5455, -80.1808
(Map it)
Elevation: 280m.
Georeference protocol: Lat/lon determined by GPS
Habitat: Wild Habitat
Environment description: Found in open pine woodland slightly upslope from a stream bed on the border of the riparian zone. Soils are a mix of organic with high sand content. Plants found in close proximity to stream bank/ riparian buffer where vegetation is discernable different from more upland drier oak/pine dominant habitat. The largest specimens (ca 1 m) are found on the edge of open areas where shrub layer is 1 m tall +, smaller specimens (15 cm) are found in the lower shrub layer that occurs slightly more upland from stream bank and more central to the open habitat. Lower-growing individuals not typically setting seed. Plants growing in open light. Soil: Sand with well developed O horizion.
Associated species: Ilex glabra; Magnolia virginiana; Vaccinium crassifolium; Cyrilla racemiflora; Liriodendron tulipifera; Oxydendrum arboreum; Clethra alnifolia; Rhododendron viscosum; Fothergilla gardenii; Ilex coriacea; Pinus serotina; Quercus phellos; Sarracenia rubra; Acer rubrum; Rhus copallinum; Populus sp.
Comment: Low shrub, growing taller on edge of open areas where shrubs are growing taller either from being farther along in succession or high soil moisture content. Ca 5% of population with capsules. Leaves of the plant distinctively glossy compared to Ericaceous species close by. Plant found within 50 ft of dried stream bed. Height 0.3 - 1 m; Spread 10 cm. Bark cinnamon brown with light striations. Leaves glossy, lustres, more open grown plants showing red/fall color, shade plants more green. Edges of leaves curled. Fruit brown, round, 5 chambers, 3 cm across, sub-tending new growth. Seed collected from many plants. Plants collected between GPS points A & B and found by following the stream bed and collecting slightly uphill from stream bed. [Point A: N 34° 32.728', W 80° 10.846'; Point B: N 34° 32.7524', W 80° 11.0835'.]
Collector(s):