Taking you to the Edge

If you have not yet been to the Edge of Appalachia Preserve System in Adams County, it is high time you schedule a trip! (OOS Conference will be in the area on June 3-5, 2011 - click on the link in my sidebar to sign up!) Not only does Adams County routinely produce some of Ohio's most difficult-to-find birds, like Chuck-will's-widows, Blue Grosbeak, and Henslow's sparrow, the flora is unique as well.


Indian Paintbrush, Castilleja coccinea

This partially parasitic plant is a real showstopper. But it is not the flowers, but rather those bright orange bracts that catch the eye. These "paintbrushes" are found in some of prairies in Adams County and Ohio's only species is C. coccinea. Well-named, as coccinea means "scarlet."


A general flora photo from Lynx Prairie.

The Indian Paintbrush stand out against the already huge leaves of Prairie Dock, Silphium terebinthinaceum. Prairie Dock is a pretty fair indicator: you might be in a prairie now!

And the dazzling white flowers, sometimes called Pride-of-Ohio...

Shooting Star, Dodecatheon meadia

Members of the Primrose family, Shooting Star can also be found in pink or lavender forms, but white is the most common color. The flower, arising from a basal rosette of leaves, is one of the later blooming spring flowers and well worth a special trip to witness the full bloom.

The Edge of Appalachia Preserve System hosts a full slate of learning experiences that I can highly recommend. Click here to see their Eulett Center website, and plan your trip today!