Sprewell Bluff WMA

My second field trip of the 2018 Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage (see here for the first field trip) was to the Sprewell Bluff WMA. It is a 2,800-acre area that crosses three counties: Meriwether, Talbot, and Upson. The area that we explored was a tract that was fairly recently acquired from timber companies and is in the process of being restored: longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) seedlings were being planted and restorative burns are being conducted.

Longbract baptistia (Baptisia bracteata) showing the bract near the flower

We took a long, dusty road to the top to reach the tract and were immediately greeted by blooming flowers. Our trip leader, Hal Massie, told us that the area had been burned only two months before our visit (a shock to all of us given how much vegetation was there). Clumps of blooming goat’s rue (Tephrosia virginiana) were mingled with blackseed needle grass (Piptochaetium avenaceum), spiderwort (Tradescantia sp.), toadflax (Nuttallanthus canadensis), and ragwort (Packera anonyma). We also found a few examples of longbract baptisia (Baptisia bracteata). Hal explained that it is one of the few species which has a horizontal bloom stalk instead of a vertical (not to mention those noticeable bracts).

Goat's rue (Tephrosia virginiana)

Skullcap (Scutellaria pseudoserrata)

As we walked along the path that would lead us to a bluff of mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) and gorge rhododendron (Rhododendron minus), we found more of the other things that make this place special. The first was the large-flowered skullcap (Scutellaria pseudoserrata). I enjoyed seeing an abundance of aromatic sumac (Rhus aromatica) in fruit; it looks so much like poison ivy that it’s fun to see peoples’ reaction to it. We found one lone blooming Indian pink (Spigelia marilandica) and everyone sighed over its loveliness (and took a lot of pictures).

Aromatic sumac (Rhus aromatica)

Squarehead (Tetragonotheca helianthoides)

It was great to have such a site-knowledgeable leader. Hal was able to take us straight to the right places to find cool things. Perhaps the most exciting plant of the day was squarehead (Tetragonotheca helianthoides), a member of the Asteraceae family with flowerbuds that have a square shape. For many of us, this was our first time seeing it. We later found it near the parking area too (which was a better place to see it on the afternoon version of this same trip).

Seedling Pinus palustris

We continued to pass great populations of the goat’s rue (which never got old) and fantastic examples of bull thistle (Cirsium horridulum). Hal pointed out the numerous longleaf pine seedlings that they have planted here as part of the restoration efforts. He also told us that the timber company has been very good about not harvesting the original mature longleaf pine trees here.

Nice pink form of gorge rhododendron (Rhododendron minus)

Mountain laurel clings to the bluff while a longleaf pine on the
left rises up from below.

We reached the bluffs area and delighted in the spectacular blooms of the mountain laurel and the gorge rhododendron. It was truly a heath family bluff, complete with two blooming species of blueberry (Vaccinium stamineum and Vaccinium arboreum). The vistas with the old longleaf pines were spectacular and one couldn’t help but be grateful to have this place preserved.

Monarch on milkweed

Asclepias amplexicaulis flower

As we walked back to the parking area, we saw a sprouting American chestnut (Castanea dentata) among the many sprouting chestnut oaks (Quercus montana). We had seen numerous clasping milkweed (Asclepias amplexicaulis) in bud but we finally found one with an open flower and another with a monarch caterpillar on it! In the afternoon hike on the same site, we also found butterflyweed (Asclepias tuberosa) with a tiny caterpillar on it. These butterflies were satisfying reminders of just what kind of wildlife can be managed here in addition to the more obvious kinds advertised.