06 December 2022.
Scotland County, North Carolina, United States
Locality: Plants growing in the wetlands and moist depressions along Scotland Co. Road 1328 in the Sandhills Game Lands. This plant is somewhat infrequent and sporadic, but abundant in places with moist to wet habitats in this area.
Coordinates: 34.9551, -79.5177
(Map it)
Elevation: 112m.
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.
Soils: 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 (https://mrdata.usgs.gov/geology/state/sgmc-unit.php?unit=NCTp%3B11)
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 (https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/WebSoilSurvey.aspx)
Number of plants sampled: 25
Associated species: Smilax walteri, Oxydendrum arboreum, Cyrilla racemiflora, Arundinaria gigantea, Nyssa biflora, Sphagnum sp., Pinus palustris, Xyris sp., Ilex glabra, Pinus serotina, Spiranthes cernua, Magnolia virginiana, Lyonia lucida, Osmunda cinnamomeum, Woodwardia areolata, Hexastylis sp., Sarracenia purpurea var. venosa, Lyonia mariana, Ctenium aromaticum, Liatris spicata var. resinosa, Platanthera ciliaris, Viburnum nudum, Acer rubrum, Andropogon virginicus, Morella caroliniensis, Eubotrys racemosa, Clethra alnifolia, Rhododendron viscosum, Morella cerifera, Osmunda regalis, Gentiana saponaria, Aronia arbutifolia, Ilex coriacea, Toxicodendron vernix, Alnus serrulata, Smilax laurifolia, Saccharum giganteum, Liriodendron tulipifera, Eupatorium resinosum, Magnolia grandiflora, Persea borbonia, Symphyotrichum sp., Pteridium aquilinum, Symphyotrichum paludosus, Sarracenia rubra, Vaccinium formosum, Rhexia alifanus, Sorghastrum nutans, Aletris farinosa, Lilium sp., Zigadenus glaberrimus
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 meters tall x 1-2 meters wide. Leaves are simple, alternate, and ovate with smooth margins and a rounded to acute tip; leaves are approximately 2-8 cm long × 0.5-2.5 cm wide. Foliage is peak fall color ranging from bright yellow to red and occasionally tints of purple. Fruits are 5-valved capsules borne terminally and sub-terminally in clusters; capsules are round, 3.2-5 mm long × 4.8-6.5 mm wide. Notes: This species is a fascinating plant and of great horticultural interest because of its adaptability and general landscape beauty. There are foliage types with striking blue gray leaves in some populations and selections have been developed. In botanical garden circles and among knowledgeable gardeners, it is known as a very good garden plant. In the spring, plants have large racemes of attractive white, urn-shaped flowers. In summer this species has clean and attractive foliage followed by stunning yellow, orange and red fall color. Despite its beauty and potential, more work is needed to refine this species for landscape use. Further collections of this species across its range should be made. Furthermore, from a conservation perspective, Zenobia is found in only a relatively narrow area of the Coastal Plain, almost exclusively in the Carolinas.
Collector(s):