Hike 1 - July 31, 2019
In late July, I was looking for populations of Melanthium hybridum (formerly Veratrum hybridum). I had a theory that it tends to grow with Veratrum parviflorum. I found a large area of V. parviflorum here, but no M. hybridum.
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A variety of butterflies puddling at the trailhead
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Scarlet Beebalm (Monarda didyma)
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I came across lots of Veratrum parviflorum in the woods
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Single flower of Appalachian Bunchflower (Veratrum parviflorum).
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Hemlock Varnish Shelf (Ganoderma tsugae)
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Downy Rattlesnake Plantain Orchids (Goodyera pubescens) still blooming,
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A section of Tuni Creek...
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Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa)
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Flowers of Dodder (Cuscuta sp.), a parasitic vine.
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Yellow Jewelweed (Impatiens pallida)
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Hike 2 - Sept 4, 2019
Explored some more of the area around Big Tuni Creek, including some old logging roads I've spotted on previous visits. Nothing too unusual from a botanical standpoint, but the Pink Turtleheads were blooming. I also found an unusual stone structure. There wasn't a cloud in the sky, so I had to limit my creek photos to a few isolation shots, due to a harsh sun.
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Mossy cascade on Big Tuni Creek
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I spotted this unusual stone structure, rectangular, about 8' x 6' x 3' high. Solid stacked stone. Even though it's right along the trail, you can't see it unless you are at the creek. I have no idea what it was used for.
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Looking at the first photo, this is a view from the left side. I had to stand in the creek to shoot this photo...
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Appalachian Turtlehead (Chelone lyonii)
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Appalachian Turtlehead
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Another cascade on Big Tuni
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Indian Pipe (Monotropa uniflora)
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Trio of Turtlehead flowers
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Appalachian Turtlehead
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Snakeroot (Ageratina altissima)
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Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica)
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