The photo below shows a typical scene in one of the several bogs which make up the Cranberry Glades. The elevation here is between 3400-3500 feet. I've read there are 60 unique plant species here. Their ancestry goes back 10,000 years. As ice sheets from the Wisconsin glaciation covered the northern part of the US, it forced many arctic plants ahead of it. Although the glaciers never made it into West Virginia, these plants did. When the ice receded, some of those plants remained where conditions were tolerable.
Cranberries grow low to the ground and make up much of the greenery seen below. Right now there have green berries with just a few beginning to turn red. The 1/2 mile boardwalk travels through 3 of the bogs. The total area here is about 750 acres and includes 5 bogs. These are peat bogs where the peat may be 10 feet deep. Stepping off the boardwalk, you sink in a spongy peat soil covered in moss and cranberries.
I was unable to locate any Sundew plants here but saw many Pitcher plants which have just finished blooming. I was dismayed to see some Dodder vine here. It has been destructive in the mountains to the south. Other flowers include Great Rhododendron, Jewelweed, Purple phlox, bee balm and mountain mint. Cinnamon ferns taller than me were prolific.
Purple phlox
Pitcher plants
base of Pitcher plants
Insects are attracted to the base of the Pitcher plant. The leaves form a cup which fills with water. The slippery sides insure insects slip into the water. Downward facing hairs prevent the insects from easily climbing back out. The insects are dissolved over time and nourish the plant.
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