May 22 Bluff Mountain Botany Tour

After attending the NC Native Plant Society hike to Bluff Mountain, I knew my friends in the botany world would enjoy this place. And it was the perfect time of year, at the height of the spring bloom for high elevation. Our walk varied from 4500' to 4800'. Our guide and escort on this privately owned property was Kelly with the NC Nature Conservancy. Occasionally, she will do private tours for a fee. I was fortunate enough to work this into her schedule. Crystal was our photographer and botanist for the day. Piedmont Land Conservancy, Three Rivers Land Trust and the NC Zoo were all represented among our group.

We saw many Pink Lady Slippers during the day. They are solitary flowers. Here is the Yellow Lady Slipper which tends to grow in clumps. We saw these two clumps and a solitary one about 200 feet away. Crystal thought they were the rarer small Yellow Lady Slippers. I have photos of ones I have seen in the Smokies and they are all larger. 

Wild Sarsaparilla was blooming 

Very rare Yellow Indian Paintbrush

We saw numerous Red Indian Paintbrushes in the forest meadow, fen and on the side of the bluff. Up close they really grab your attention but from afar they add a subtle color to the grass you normally see them growing in.

Lily of the Valley were in full bloom. I have never seen so many in one place.

Into the misty forest we disappear. Note the lush undergrowth. This property supports an incredibly rich diversity of plants.

Grandaflorum or Large Flowering White Trillium, turns pink as it ages. This one is about ready to seed but putting on a last show for us.

Clintonia or Speckled Wood Lily showing its bloom on a spike.

The Edwards family sold this property to the Nature Conservancy in 1978. They retained rights to use their cabin for 90 years. Kelly says they sometimes have parties at the cabin but don't seem to be maintaining it as I would. There is a small pond next to it. Also, there is a firepit with 4 stone benches. Each one has an inscription honoring or in memory of someone. 

In the fen, we spot lots of Sundew. This is a very tiny insectivorous plant. The area of red is about the size of a small paper clip. Click on the photo to see more detail and how it gets its name. 

Cinnamon Fern gets its name from the Cinnamon stick like stalk it has. This spot is at the edge of the fen. 

Pipe Vine

We found a Pipe Vine bloom which had fallen onto the road. Here is a front and side views of this weird bloom. 

The bluff of Bluff Mountain

The fen, subtly colored by Indian Paintbrush 

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