Geology Rocks Botany

Glen Helen in Yellow Springs, Ohio has many surprising features. The yellow travertine, formed on the rocks by the mineral waters, is just one. Although it did give name to the historic resort town.

Another feature of even more importance can be found here. This craggy rock pillar, stands tall against time in the woodlands near Antioch College.

Pompeys Pillar could use a publicity agent, as most Ohioans are completely unaware of its presence. This 15 foot pillar has been a local attraction for over 100 years, but has failed to attract the attention it merits. One has to admire this time worn rock feature having a history that well predates our state.



Finally "Pompeys" story has been told in a marvelous book featuring many of Ohio's most notable, yet often unknown, geologic features. Timothy Snyder's book "Rainbows of Rock, Pillars or Stone" provides photos and text about the natural arches and pillars of Ohio. Tim will be a key-note speaker at Flora-Quest, where he will explain how geology and botany are explicable tied.


Many endangered plants like Wall-Rue, Asplenium ruta-muraria are so linked with geology, they are only found on a particular type of rock formation. As its name suggests, wall-rue grows on vertical rocky surfaces. If the geology is uncommon the plant distribution will likely follow.

Tim, the author, will explain why botany in Ohio is never simple. Join us at Flora-Quest in Shawnee to see how geology can rock your world.

Botany Quiz and a Bonus

Ready to play - What's this plant?





Currently its ripe, red fruits are bursting open and ejecting little black seeds. Here's a hint, those husks smell like citrus!



The big picture.

A medium sized shrub, or very small tree- usually grows no larger than 10-12 foot high.

Small "prickly" needles on the the woody stems.

Uncommon, but certainly not rare in Ohio.

One of the host plants for the Giant Swallowtail, my favorite butterfly!



Got it yet? Prickly-ash, Xanthozylum americanum

And here is the bonus: an early instar Giant Swallowtail caterpillar snacking on one of the thumb-sized leaves. This is the smallest "Giant" I have ever found!

And when you tap him with a stick... (Oh, don't try this at home kids!)
He quickly raises his "stink horns," little glands that secrete a nasty odor and look like a snake's tongue. It is called an osmeterium. And yes, there will be a quiz later!

This is what the little fellow will grow into: a Giant Swallowtail. He is now seven inches of winged wonderful, and a tad more comely than the figure he cut in his awkward youth

Got butterflies? Get host plants!

Hope to see you at the Mid-west Native Plant Conference this weekend. I may even bring this little fellow with me. So follow logo on the side bar for details!