Aug 8 Sandhill Lily & Bog

 

The new norm.

Today's hike or tour would be a better description, was arranged by Three Rivers Land Trust. It is in the sandhills of North Carolina. We were advised to not divulge the location, nor take gps imbedded photos. We met our guides at a roadside pulloff and proceeded to the protected property in pick ups with passengers in the bed. The road in was a sandy and bumpy one. Everyone was masked and we kept as far apart as the area would allow. We wandered about the area for about an hour. It was overgrown and contained a bog with some running water as well. Less than an hour from home, it was loaded with unfamiliar plants. 

Mountain Mint

Carolina Meadow Beauty

Club moss, a fern ally.

Pink Pitcherplant

Orange Milkwort

Orange Fringed Orchid

Carolina Lily

Another Carolina Lily, a bit darker.

Meadow Beauty, a sorta floppy flower. Maryland or Virginia? I saw this one while waiting to view Sandhill Lily. 

This is the star of the show - a Sandhill Lily. There is a specimen of this lily which was collected in 1928 but misidentified. Our guide today, Bruce Sorrie, arrived in the area around 2000. As a trained botanist, he was shown around the area by a local fellow, Jim Carter who was studying Red Cockaded Woodpeckers at the time. He mentioned to Bruce that he had seen a lily that didn't fit the book. Bruce said it must fit the book. Upon seeing and studying the lily, Bruce had to admit that it did not fit the book. In 2002 Bruce published the find the new species was named Lilium pyrophilum. Apparently, it thrives in burned areas.  

Here is a Meadow Beauty among some Orange Milkwort, sometimes referred to as field cheetos.