Prickly Pear
Low-bush blueberry
Plants |
|
Prickly Pear |
Low-bush blueberry |
| The
most striking characteristic of the vegetation in the Little River area
is its diversity. The rich botany of the Little River region results from
the variety of environments which range from extremely dry to moist. Within
the Preserve are found not only typically expected flora, but also plants
usually restricted to other geographical locations.
On rocky outcrops the primary vegetation consists of white oak, southern red oak, scarlet oak, post oak, chestnut oak, black oak, hickories and blackgum. The understory consists of dogwood, sassafras, sourwood, huckleberries and cedar. |
Sassafras |
Purple Rhododendron |
| The
sloping areas have well-drained soils. White oak, northern red oak, post
oak, hickory, loblolly, Virginia, shortleaf pine, yellow poplar, and American
beech are to be found on these slopes. The understory is of dogwood, persimmon
and sassafras.
The lower slopes, terraces and stream bottoms have deep, well drained soils. The primary species found are yellow poplar, loblolly pine, American sycamore, white oak, and white ash. The understory consists mainly of red maple, blackgum, sourwood, American beech and holly. |
Daisy Fleabane |
Mountain Laurel |
Hatpins |
| There is an abundance of flowers in bloom throughout a long season (including several species of azaleas, rhododendrons, and mountain laurel). Sweet shrub with its interesting maroon flowers is abundant in the rich woods where the ground is covered with partridge berry, ferns and an ever-changing array of wild flowers. Royal ferns line the streambanks and yucca can be found on talus slopes. Brilliant color changes occur in the forest as fall approaches bringing with it a flurry of visitation to the area. |