Hemlock Falls Trail – Spring Edition

 

Earlier this month, I led a pair of walks for the Georgia Botanical Society’s annual pilgrimage to Hemlock Falls Trail near Moccasin Creek State Park. I have visited this trail before, but it was a winter walk so I was excited to see what might be blooming there in the spring. This trail leaves from a wooded parking area along a dirt path sprinkled with rocks, roots, and the occasional mud puddle (caused by seepage). The path is bordered by a steep edge (careful!) and landscaped by nature with various plants such as ferns, white wood aster (Eurybia divaricata), yellowroot (Xanthorhiza simplicissima), and poison ivy (more careful!).

Northern maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum)

Cow-wheat (Melampyrum lineare)

Crested iris (Iris cristata)

The bulk of the plants are the trees and shrubs, including a very dominate presence by great laurel (Rhododendron maximum) which was not yet blooming. Other shrubs there: Mountain doghobble (Leucothoe fontanesiana), Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia), Witch-hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), Sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus), Northern spicebush (Lindera benzoin), Smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens), Huckleberry (Gaylussacia ursina), Mountain clethra (Clethra acuminata), and Buffalo nut (Pyrularia pubera). Other trees in addition to an assortment of oaks (Quercus) and maples (Acer): Mountain basswood (Tilia americana var. heterophylla), Tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera), Sweet Birch (Betula lenta), Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum), Silverbell (Halesia), and Mountain magnolia (Magnolia fraseri).

Mountain magnolia in bloom (Magnolia fraseri)

Huckleberry flowers (Gaylussacia ursina)

Of course forbs are the stars of the spring hike and there were some good ones as we traversed the 1.2-mile walk to the waterfall. Here are the ones that I made note of: Cow-wheat (Melampyrum lineare), Foamflower (Tiarella austrina), Solomon's seal (Polygonatum biflorum), Solomon's plume (Maianthemum racemosum), Catesby’s trillium (Trillium catesbyi), Vasey's trillium (Trillium vaseyi), Indian cucumber-root (Medeola virginiana), Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), Toothwort (Cardamine diphylla), Violets (Viola rotundifolia, blanda, hastata, sororia), White wood aster (Eurybia divaricata), Lady rue (Thalictrum clavatum), Clustered snakeroot (Sanicula odorata), Goatsbeard (Aruncus dioicus), Orobanche uniflora (now Aphyllon uniflorum), Thyme-leaf bluet (Houstonia serpyllifolia), Crested dwarf iris (Iris cristata), and Rattlesnake plantain (Goodyera pubescens). Ferns were also well represented and included New York fern (Amauropelta noveboracensis), Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides), Intermediate fern (Dryopteris intermedia), Northern maidenhair (Adiantum pedatum), and American climbing fern (Lygodium palmatum).

Trillium vaseyi with Viola blanda

Thyme-leaf bluet (Houstonia serpyllifolia)

Lady rue (Thalictrum clavatum)

Tiarella austrina showing its habit (spreading)

I cannot avoid mentioning invasive plants that we found there. First is Japanese spirea (Spiraea japonica) which can found throughout the parking area and along the early part of the trail. That plant is known to be invasive in Rabun County and the bronze color of the new growth helps to identify it in the early spring. There is also Elaeagnus umbellata in the parking area. A surprise was finding two pieces of autumn fern (Dryopteris erythrosora) near the edge of the creek close to the waterfall (far from civilization). We pulled both of those and packed it out with our trash; I also reported it on iNaturalist.

By the way, since I led the same walk twice, I was curious if we would notice different plants on the second walk. The answer was yes, we did notice things on the second walk that we hadn't spotted on the first one. So, go ahead and walk the same trail twice, it might be twice as nice.

May 2026 Moment in Nature

Hiking in the North Georgia mountains this weekend, I found lots of good plants, most of which I already know. Occasionally, you can find something new and this time I did, tucked away under more familiar plants.

Orobanche uniflora, commonly known as one-flowered broomrape, one-flowered cancer root, or ghost pipe. The name has been updated to Aphyllon uniflorum.

According to my research, "it is an obligate parasite, completely dependent on a host plant for its moisture and carbohydrates to grow and reproduce" and uses members of the Saxifragaceae family such as the Tiarella next to it. 

Once the blooms fade, there is no trace of it until it flowers again. It was definitely a very special find and quite a worthy #momentinnature for me.

Warwoman Dell

This week we explored the 1.1-mile nature trail at Warwoman Dell in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest in Rabun County. I had heard of this trail for many years, and I'm scheduled to lead a walk there for the Georgia Botanical Society, so it was time for a visit. Other hikes can be done from the same parking lot so it is a good place for an afternoon (and they recently added a nice port-a-potty).

Yellow buckeye (Aesculus flava) in parking area

We were in the area for a talk at Foxfire in Mountain City as part of their Native Plant Weekend (they have beautiful trails as well). Warwoman Dell is not far from there, and we were the sole hikers when we arrived after a late lunch in Clayton. It was in the mid-80's but the forest was pleasantly cool as we followed a stream to the waterfall. The area is rich in native vegetation but there is a bit of exotic vinca (!) that has infested the area closest to parking, and there was plenty of wineberry along the path (a bristly exotic relative of blackberry, Rubus phoenicolasius).

Doghobble (Leucothoe fontanesiana)

Trillium vaseyi with two violet species below:
Viola rotundifolia and Viola hastata

The path was lush with vegetation (including poison ivy so be careful). Blooming things included foamflower (Tiarella sp.), Solomon's seal (Polygonatum biflorum), Solomon's plume (Maianthemum racemosum), rue anemone (Thalictrum thalictroides), Vasey's trillium (Trillium vaseyi), Indian cucumber-root (Medeola virginiana), Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), yellow meadow-parsnip (Thaspium trifoliatum), and mountain doghobble (Leucothoe fontanesiana). Yet to bloom were shrubs like cinnamon clethra (Clethra acuminata), mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia), great laurel (Rhododendron maximum), and witch-hazel (Hamamelis virginiana). The moistness of the area was certainly reflected in the plant community: northern spicebush (Lindera benzoin) was quite abundant but had finished blooming and jumpseed (Persicaria virginiana) lined much of the path. 

Solomon's plume (Maianthemum racemosum)

Meadow-parsnip (Thaspium trifoliatum)

Ferns added to the lush feel and included Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides), lady fern (Athyrium asplenioides), broad beech fern (Phegopteris hexagonoptera), rattlesnake fern (Botrypus virginianus), and northern maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum).

Northern maidenhair fern

I was thrilled to spy a couple of blooms on the yellow buckeye trees (Aesculus flava). Mountain basswood (Tilia americana var. heterophylla), Fraser's magnolia (Magnolia fraseri), and birch (perhaps Betula allegheniensis) are part of the community but not blooming. Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) was there, including one huge one. Several huge old stumps remain in the area, and we made a guess that they might be old chestnuts. Buffalo-nut (Pyrularia pubera) was just starting to form flowers in the parking area.

A waterfall awaits you at the furthest point of the loop

April 2026 Moment in Nature

I really enjoy sharing these #momentinnature photos, although to be honest there are some months where it is hard to pick just one. This one had a lot going for it because it was such a surprise as well as being special.

This is a moth cocoon hanging from a hophornbeam tree (Ostrya virginiana) next to my driveway. It is carefully wrapped in an assortment of plant material. I have walked past it over a hundred times since it was formed. Never noticed it until now.

I don't know which moth it is, but it could be the polyphemus moth which does use host plants that I have in my yard (trees like hophornbeam, elm, and river birch). It could also be the luna moth which hosts on other plants that I have, including walnut, hickory, and sweetgum. I may never know as it will probably emerge while I'm not watching.

Spring is an awesome time of renewal and rebirth. Make sure to keep your eyes open and enjoy those moments.

35 Natural Wonders of Georgia (the book)

 

Georgia is such a big state – 159 counties – and with hundreds of cool natural places to visit and explore, it’s hard to know where to start (or continue). I’ve written before about an older book called Favorite Wildflower Walks of Georgia that has 20 recommendations. A new book came out that has 35 recommendations (and a few of them are duplicated from the other book, an indicator of just how special those places are).

Authored by writer Charles Seabrook and artist Ann Litrel, this book provides two different perspectives on each location. Charles is the experienced explorer, describing some of his favorite natural wonders, a list that he compiled in 2008 with the help of naturalist friends. Ann found his list and embarked on a quest to paint them all; being new to many of these places, her personal wonder and artwork both add a perspective not always seen, yet often felt. [For budding artists, her sketches include notes about the techniques she used to create them.]

35 Natural Wonders of Georgia introduces each of these to ordinary Georgians. With places located in all 5 ecoregions of Georgia, there is sure to be at least one of these relatively near any of us. Others would be worthy of short day-trips or longer vacations. Some of these places are field trip destinations by Georgia Botanical Society, an organization of passionate amateur and professional botanists.

Mountain laurel Pine Mountain

Between trips with them and trips of my own, I have been to just 14 of these 35 places (some of which have inspired my blogs such as #1 Okefenokee which inspired 3 posts by me: by land, by swamp, and a focus on the carnivorous plants that live there). 

Yet as I read the chapters on even the ones I have visited, Ann’s excited descriptions and artwork make me want to visit them again. Charlie’s text provides background about the sites and good context for why these places are so very special (and I learned several things!).

I hope this book will inspire you to visit some of these natural wonders. Conservation of special places depends on people who learn to appreciate them.

Photo of book courtesy of UGA Press.

Captcha This!

You know these things - what you need to prove you're a human. Pick all the motorcycles, buses, traffic lights ... from a combination of up to 9 photos. Well, I say we should make this more interesting (plants!) and challenging (native plants!).

So, I am here to present just that! This one happens to be the "in your lawn" version. How many of these have you seen in your lawn? Some are flowering now, some may take a few more weeks. See answers at the end of the column.

I like a little humor with my native plants. Some of the other silly posts I've made include:

Wordle (All Words Lead to Native)

Fake Butter (I Can't Believe It's Not the Native)

Food Pyramid (Native Landscape Pyramid) - ok maybe not so silly on this one.

Grandchildren (The Tiny Hands Project and How to Rake Leaves)

Ok, are you ready for the answers to the native captcha?

Scroll down.

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No, scroll down some more.

Starting with the top row, left to right: Common violet (Viola sororia), Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule), Carolina geranium (Geranium carolinianum). Middle row, left to right: Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), Hairy bittercress (Cardamine hirsuta), Slender wild basil (Clinopodium gracile). Bottom row, left to right: Bluets (Houstonia pusilla), Dwarf dandelion (Krigia biflora), Carolina bristlemallow (Modiola caroliniana).

Some of these are annuals and some are perennial. Look up each one to learn more (about keeping them or getting rid of them!). I personally love having some of those native ones - kind of like a pollinator lawn! This 2014 post has a few more that you might see in the lawn.

March 2026 Moment in Nature

I'm sure that half of Jackson County heard me squeal when I found trillium on my property this week. When you have a new place, there are a lot of new things to discover as the seasons progress. Spring is particularly full of these new discoveries, and finding spring ephemerals is one of the very best things that most of us hope to discover.

Trillium cuneatum

Even though the flower is not yet open, I'm fairly confident this is Sweet Betsy trillium (Trillium cuneatum). I had it at my previous house naturally, and I did not bring any of it with me because I knew I could probably get it on a rescue or from a friend. Finding it already on the property means I might get some other cool things popping up. This is rich soil here.

Get out there and see what spring is bringing you. It is a season for squealing, for sure.

#momentinnature