Wolbach Farm Interpretive Trail, Post 5

Rocky Outcrop

Standing at post 5 puts you between the red maple swamp and an acidic rocky outcrop that is home to some of the rarer plants found at Wolbach Farm. Holdouts of more uncommon, fickle species can be found here as the land around rocky outcroppings were spared from grazing or agricultural uses.

Plants found here such as Roberts geranium and red columbine thrive on moist slopes and crevices. You may also spot early saxifrage, ebony spleenwort, or fragile fern. The invasive Asian bittersweet is also prevalent at Wolbach Farm.

 

Roberts Geranium

Roberts geranium (Geranium robertianum) can be found in the shade of the forest floor and rocky slopes and has delicate pink or red flowers. This geranium is also referred to as herb-Robert or stinky Bob due to small hairs found on the plant that emit a stinky smell. The flower has the incredible ability to eject seeds from its pod at distances of around 20 feet. It also has mosquito repellent properties when its leaves are rubbed on the skin.

Photo: Roberts geranium, photographed by Brenda Dobbs.

 

Red Columbine

Red columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) is one of the most popular native wildflowers found on the east coast and is widely cultivated for its unique color combinations. It is popular due to its ability to propagate for years and its willingness to hybridize. The genus name Aquilegia comes from the Latin "aquila," which means eagle and refers to the spurred petals that many believe resemble an eagle's talons.

Photo: Wild columbine.

 

Other Rare Species

Other rare species found around rocky outcroppings on the property include early saxifrage (Saxifraga virginiensis), ebony spleenwort (Asplenium platyneuron), and fragile fern (Cystopteris fragilis).

Photo: Early saxiphrage.

 

Photo: Ebony spleenwort, photographed by Tom Potterfield.

Asian Bittersweet

Another plant that can be seen in abundance is Asian bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus). This invasive vine originally came to the U.S. from eastern Asia in the 1860s. Bittersweet is considered invasive and undesirable as it has a tendency to overrun and outcompete native plants. It is easily identifiable by its dense thickets of intertwining vines, and orange roots.

Populations of Asian bittersweet should be closely managed because it threatens to genetically eliminate a native species when it hybridizes with American bittersweet, its harmless native counterpart. You can differentiate the dwindling native plant from the fast-growing exotic by whether or not the vine has blunted thorns. American bittersweet has a smooth vine whereas Asian bittersweet has rounded thorns along the stem.

Photo: Asian bittersweet berries, photographed by Lisa Eggleston.

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