On our way back from visiting Pearson Falls Road in Polk County, North Carolina, we decided to stop by a favorite road cut in Pickens County, South Carolina. This road cut on Hwy. 288 happens to expose a basic soil which is rather rare for South Carolina. This soil type enables plants which we would otherwise not see to thrive. It supports at least two species of Trillium, one of which is the beautiful, Trillium catesbaei or Catesby’s Trillium. Its delicate pink flowers are always found hanging below the three leaves, making it somewhat hard to spot. However, this one was growing on a hillside at the edge of the woods and looking me right in the face as I approached:
The second Trillium species we found is another one whose flower “nods” under its leaves. It is Trillium rugelii or Southern Nodding Trillium. It has another common name that is not so delicate, though: Ill-scented Wakerobin. So, we will stick with Southern Nodding Trillium. This particular population is quite difficult to see, because it is located at the bottom of a very steep hillside just next to the highway. I have never visited this population without slipping and sliding in a most unceremonious way, but usually bruising only my ego. From above, about 20 feet (6+ meters) or so, it is not possible to see the flowers, so that necessitates the treacherous decent. Once reaching the several dozen plants, it was obvious that they were in full bloom. Here is what the flower looks like from a side view:
Before any of you northern folks want to call this one a Trillium cernuum, I have it on good authority that it is, in fact, Trillium rugelii. This particular region sees quite a variation in this species with the ovary being either white or dark purple or something in between (dusky rose). Regardless of the color of the ovary, the stamens are always a luscious, light creamy-yellow. Here are a few more shots of this beauty:
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Growing among the Trillium plants, there is a large population of the rather common, Podophyllum peltatum or May Apple also called American Mandrake. On occasion, one can see an acre or more of these plants with their bright green, palmately lobed, umbrella-like leaves and their creamy-white flowers. It is interesting to note that the flower is always borne only on plants with two leaves rather than a single leaf. The flower is quite fragrant, and is located about halfway between the base of the plant and the top of the leaves. The plants often grow so close to each other that it is sometimes difficult to see the flowers unless you bend down and spread the leaves apart. In early summer, the fertilized flowers produce an edible seed capsule that resembles an apple, thus the name, May Apple.
Nearby on the dry hillside, were large shrubs of Calycanthus floridus or Sweet Shrub. It gets its common name from the spicy fragrance that is emitted when the flowers are crushed:
I have seen a strange, butterscotch-yellow version of this shrub at the same location in previous years, but not on this trip. Here is a shot of the odd one:
It was time to head on home, but first I had to photograph the various color forms of Aesculus sylvatica or Painted Buckeye. This is a low-growing shrub that is found in the rich coves of Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee. The amazing flower colors vary from deep, dusky-rose to bright, yellow-green:
And the foliage in the early spring is especially glorious with its shades of dark red and green:
What a way to end the day! This location is almost off the map, but the nearby highway is traveled by many people who probably don’t have a clue of what they are passing every day. I am thankful that I can appreciate what is in my own “backyard”, and I am hopeful that I might continue to record my experiences in these remarkable woods of the eastern United States.
–Jim
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I have been taught that the different colors for the Painted Buckeye are a result of hybridization between Aesculus Pavia and A. sylvatica. One hypothesis is that the hummingbirds migrate from south to north when these are in bloom and may be responsible for cross pollinating the shrubs.
That’s very interesting, Hugh! I never knew that, but it makes sense. I had always wondered about the wide variation in the coloration but didn’t know about humming birds being the possible reason.
Trillium rugellii and T. flexipes can be difficult to tell apart with some populations of the latter. Most authorities state that the anthers of rugellii are purple, and those of flexipes are white. The flowers of T. flexipes across its range are widely variable in habit, sometimes being held in a bent position (hence one common name), or it can be erect, or pendant like rugellii. Very little difference, which makes many of us trilliphiles wonder how to pigeonhole some of the variable species in the “erectum group”, which includes nother similar species, the white form of T. vaseyi, and other recognized species.
Join us in the discussion about trilliums on the Trillium Enthusiast Discussion LIst! Here is the link:
http://mailman.science.uu.nl/mailman/listinfo/trillium-l
Dan Miles