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The Ligneous Flora of Rich Mountain, Arkansas and Oklahoma

1924; Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University; Volume: 5; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.5962/p.185183

2474-3283

Ernest J Palmer,

Archaeology and Natural History

rivulet, and except in rainy seasons into a dry ravine.At other times its waters may be seen dashing over the rocky bed, and occasionally spreading out into quite pools, with a border of small trees and shrubs growing amongst the masses and boulders of dark stained sandstone.The valley varies in width from a few rods to a quarter of a mile or more, and where it has not been cleared off is covered by a fine growth of Pine, Oaks, Hickories, Sweet Gum, Sugar Maple and many other trees, which will be mentioned in more detail later.Bounding the valley, and in places coming down almost to the margins of the stream, rise on both sides the steep slopes of the mountains.That on the north is Blackfork, and to the south lies Rich Mountain.The little stream between them bears the somewhat ambitious name of Big Creek, a title which would appear to be appropriate only at seasons when it carries the heavy run-off from the mountains after torrential rains.Many interesting plants, including a variety of trees and shrubs, grow along its margins, and some of them even amongst the water-worn rocks of its channel, where they are borne down and submerged by every flood.Conspicuous amongst herbaceous plants along this rocky channel are the Willow-herb (Dianthera americana L.) and Letterman's Ironweed {Vernonia Lettermanni Engelm.).Two shrubs are also quite abundant here: the Silky Dogwood or Kinnikinnik (Cornus obliqua) and Ward's Willow (Salix longipes var.Wardii).This Willow, so common along many of the rocky streams of the Ozarks, sometimes becomes a small tree under favorable conditions, but here, by reason of being so frequently buffeted and broken down by the torrents, it seldom exceeds a meter or two in height and sends out many shoots from the old stumps.In foliage, too, it is rather a distinct form, perhaps worthy of segregation, the leaves being firmer and the shoots having smaller stipules than in the typical form.Cephalanthus occidentalism Alnus rugosa, Hamamelis vernalis, Callicarpa americana and Amorpha tennessensis sometimes also venture into this perilous habitat, but they are more characteristic of the rocky margins of the stream, where they are dominant species, but where their sway is also disputed by many others.Occasionally the border of the channel or deep pools is demarked by low bluffs or huge boulders where shrubby specimens of Amelanchier canadensis or Acer rubrum like to grow.More frequently there is a wide low margin of gravel or coarse rubble, amongst which sand and silt have accumulated, and since it is frequently flooded and the ground water is always near the surface here, something like bog conditions prevail.A dense growth of shrubs and herbaceous plants occupy the less exposed spots of this peculiar flood plain.The royal fern and the pretty little Iris cristata Ait., Viola blanda Willd., and many other attractive flowering plants, including several orchids, may be found in such situations.Conspicuous shrubs and small trees are Carpinus caroliniana, Ostrya virginiana,