Diario de harriseli195

Since beginning my research at Window Cliffs State Natural Area this year, I have encountered several rare and endangered species. I prefer not to disclose specific coordinates or locations, as this is a fragile ecosystem.

At Window Cliffs, two species stand out to me: Thuja occidentalis (Eastern White Cedar) and Parnassia grandifolia (Bigleaf Grass-of-Parnassus). In other sites, I have observed Cypripedium reginae (Showy Lady's Slipper) associated with these two species, leading me to wonder if C. reginae ever existed at Window Cliffs. The site’s limestone seepage areas appear to provide a characteristic habitat for this orchid. Although I have not yet found this species here, I remain curious about its potential presence.

Cypripedium reginae typically thrives in moist, acidic soils, often found in rich woodlands or along the edges of wetlands. These orchids prefer habitats that maintain a consistent level of moisture, which is often facilitated by limestone seepage areas. The alkaline conditions created by the limestone can foster a unique plant community, providing the right balance of nutrients and drainage essential for C. reginae to flourish. The glacial period left behind several boreal plants on the northern sides of the limestone bluffs, creating unique microhabitats that could support diverse flora, including C. reginae.

Source: Kartesz, J.T., The Biota of North America Program (BONAP). 2015. North American Plant Atlas. Chapel Hill, N.C.

On July 27th, I joined up with two friends with intentions to go observe and photograph some orchids species in Van Buren County, Tennessee. Throughout the day, we visited several sites and each site had different diversity but each site had orchids present. The main target for the day was Platanthera integrilaba - Monkey-Faced Orchid.

Not only we found Platanthera integrilaba, we ended the day with observing five different species of orchids. Good day, right? The others were: Platanthera ciliaris, Platanthera cristata, Platanthera integrilaba, Platanthera clavellata, and Spiranthes vernalis.

Range map for Platanthera integrilaba.

Source: Kartesz, J.T., The Biota of North America Program (BONAP). 2015. North American Plant Atlas. Chapel Hill, N.C.

Platanthera integrilaba, is a narrow endemic species that is currently listed as "threatened" and protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Many populations consist less than 100 individuals present. Most of the populations are in Tennessee, specifically the Eastern Highland Rim region. This species is listed as G2 (Imperiled) globally and S2 (Imperiled) on NatureServe.

Platanthera ciliaris - Yellow Fringed Orchid
Although not ranked by NatureServe yet, this species is pretty common especially in meadows, open woodlands, pine savannas, and bogs.

Here is the range map of Platanthera ciliaris

Platanthera cristata - Yellow-crested orchid
Listed as S2 (Imperiled) in Tennessee. This orchid has a dense inflorescence with triangular shaped nectary. The spur in this species is half the length of the ovary. I have attached a photo that I created to aid in the identification of this orchid.

Here is the range map for Platanthera cristata

Plantago cordata - Heart Leaf Plantain

On June 28, 2024, while performing transects at Window Cliffs State Natural Area for my Master's degree research, I stumbled across a plant I had never witnessed before. At first thought, I thought it was a Parnassia spp., but the plants looked too large and robust. Questioning that ID, I posted photos on Weakly’s Flora of the Southeastern United States Facebook group. Several individuals confirmed that it is indeed Plantago cordata.

Now knowing what I had found, I started looking to see if it was rare or had any conservation statuses. To my surprise, Plantago cordata is listed as an S1 (Critical Imperiled) in Tennessee. In almost every state where this plant is found it has an endangered or threatened status. Little did I know I found something pretty rare.

Link to NatureServe to see statuses.
https://explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.155726/Plantago_cordata

I reached out to Todd Crabtree, Tennessee State Botanist, he confirmed that indeed the plant I found was Plantago cordata. He told me this was a new endangered plant occurance for the state of Tennessee and a new county record. Plantago cordata has yet to be observed in Putnam County until now! Exciting to be the first individual to witness this species occuring in Putnam County.

I observed a total of 8 plants.

Now that this species has been known to occur in Putnam County, hopefully park rangers and botanists will manage this area to keep this species happy and sustaining.

Now, back to botanizing….

ESH.

Earlier this year, I packed up my camera gear to go observe and photograph the rare Cypripedium reginae.

Finding this species in the South would be anything but "exceptionally rare," as the range of the species is more widespread in the North. It turns out Tennessee is at the very southernmost tip of its range. Below is a range map of Cypripedium reginae by The Biota of North American Program (BONAP).

The habitats of Cypripedium reginae mostly include wetland areas such as boggy, calcareous slopes or seepage-type areas. This species tends to grow in and require acidic soils, which are found in these wetland areas. Overall, this species prefers constant moisture and variable heliophily, including sunny conditions to semi-shade.

Observing this orchid in person solidifies my love for orchids and their beauty and complexity. It reminds me of a Bible verse that I love: "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end" (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

Nature is perfect, without blemish or fault, created by God. Look to nature, and you can see evidence of God's existence.