naturetrail.southalabama.eduMaps

’); 2 Aquatics Plants 30 o 42.020 N 88 o 11.078 W Aquatic plants like Water Lilies (Nymphaea odorata) and Goldenclub (Orontium aquaticum) colonize the lakes and wetlands on the USA campus. Water lilies can grow in water up to eight feet deep, while Goldenclub prefers shallow waters. Water Lily flowers open in the morning and close in the afternoon. They slowly change from white to pink over their 2-3 day life span. The water Lily plant is eaten by animals such as turtles and beavers. Goldenclub has a waxy film around their leaves which strongly repels water. It also has a starchy root that was eaten by Native Americans. 28 Japanese Climbing Fern Lygodium japonicum 30° 42. 203’ N 88° 10 . 923’ W 86802, 97326 The Japanese climbing fern is an exotic invasive vine-type fern, reaching up to 90 feet in length. Since its introduction, the fern has become something of a nuisance. It can create dense mats on the forest floor that will grow over native plants and choke them out, eliminating food sources. In extreme cases, the fern will completely engulf a forest to the point where the native plants are not even visible. The leaves are lacy and finely divided and arranged opposite on the vine. Tiny spores form on the underside of the leaves and are easily dispersed by wind. This fern is native to Asia and tropical Australia. 26 Resurrection Fern Pleopeltis polypodioides 30° 42. 244’ N 88° 10. 873’ W 86884, 97401 The Resurrection Fern is a native air plant that lives on the branches of trees. The fern can survive droughts by curling up and going dormant. After rain, it uncurls and becomes lush and green again, earning it the name of resurrection fern.” The plant can lose over half of its water and still be able to become active again. As a comparison, most plants can only lose around 10% of their water. The fern gets nutrients from the air and rainwater that collects on the bark of the tree, not from the tree itself. Dormant Active 25 Gum Pounds 30° 42. 255’ N 88° 10. 878’ W 86875, 97422 Gum ponds are moist depressions where soils are usually clay-like and poorly drained. Because the soil is water-logged during rainy seasons, only trees that can tolerate saturated soil grow well in these depressions. The main tree found in this gum pond is the swamp tupelo. When trees grow in water-logged soil, their trunks are often swollen near the base. The swollen trunk, called a buttress, provides a more stable foundation to help hold the tree upright in the wet soil. Water-logged soils are difficult for plants to live in because there is no air in the soil. Think about what happens to a potted plant when the flowerpot’s drain hole gets plugged. Only a few trees can live in these conditions. 23 Snakes 30° 42. 261’ N 88°11 . 019’ W 86651, 97435 Snakes have a bad reputation and are often treated with fear and aggression. However, snakes are an important part of our ecosystem. An interesting adaptation that snakes have is molting. Molting occurs as snakes grow and shed their old skin to allow their new skin to grow. Keep a look out for snake skins on your hike. Although rarely seen, these snakes can be found throughout the nature trail. Grey Rat Snakes are harmless, good climber, and feed on rodents and birds Black Racers are non-venomous and very fast Banded Water Snakes are harmless and usually near the water The Cottonmouth is an aggressive venomous snake known locally as a Water Moccasin 29 Cogan Grass Imperata cylindrica 30° 42. 167’ N 88° 10 . 985’ W 86703, 97261 Cogon Grass is a perennial exotic grass native to Asia. The grass is easily flammable even when visibly green. Despite this, the grass has been used to thatch roofs in traditional houses in Southeast Asia for generations. Cogon can grow 2–10 feet tall and spreads through its roots and seeds. Its leaves are wide near the base of the plant and narrow to a sharp point at the top with a distinct feathery seed head. Since Cogon grass is often found on roadsides, the effect of these seed heads blowing in the wind can be an interesting sight. 30 Three Southern Pines 30° 42. 123’ N 88°10 . 974’ W 86720, 97179 Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris) - Needles 8-18” long in clusters of 3 slender, flexible, drooping - Cones are 6-10” long - Bark is reddish brown and in plates Slash pine (Pinus elliotii) - Needles 7-11” long in clusters of two slender, flexible, twisting - Cones are 3-6” long - Bark is gray and scaly Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) - Needles are 6-9” long in clusters of 3 slender, stiff - Cones 3-6” long - Bark is gray and scaly 5 Yaupon Holly 30 o 42.019 N 88 o 11.211 W Yaupon Holly, nature’s Christmas decoration, is a shrub with bright red berries and small leathery leaves. In winter months, these berries are an important food source for many birds. The name, vomitoria, comes from the apparent use of the plant by Native Americans in a tea used to induce vomiting as part of cleansing rituals. The tea may not have been the culprit, but the negative name stuck. Only the female yaupons produce berries. 8 Vines, Vines, and More Vines 30° 42. 172’ N 88°11. 411’W Vines are plentiful wherever rainfall is abundant. Common vines on the Nature Trail are Muscadine Grapes (Vities rotundifolia), Virginia Creeper (Vitis quinquefolia), and Poison Ivy ( Toxicodendron radicans). Poison Ivy has three leaflets and a hairy stem. This vine causes a severe itchy rash on almost anyone who touches it. Leaves of three, let it be.” Virginia Creeper has 5 leaflets and is an important winter food source for birds. Muscadine Grape is found everywhere in the trail. Its leaves are single with distinct teeth on the edges. This grape can be used to make wine. Poison Ivy Muscadine Grape Virginia Creeper 20 Tung Oil Tree Aleurites (aka Vernicia) fordii 30° 42. 300’ N 88° 11. 347’ W 86128, 97512 The Tung Oil Tree is a small invasive exotic tree native to China. Even though this tree is small, its leaves are some of the largest you will see on the trail. However, be sure not to touch them. All parts of this tree are toxic. The leaves can leave itchy rashes similar to poison ivy and consuming one nut can be fatal. The nuts yield an oil that is used in varnishes, paints, resins, and greases. The Tung Oil Tree appeared in the writings of Confucius around 400 BC and Marco Polo in the 13th Century. 21 Exotic Plants 30° 42. 228’ N 88°11 . 118’ W 86493, 97487 An exotic plant is a species not native to the area that has been introduced for a variety of reasons. Many exotic plants have adapted to their new environment without harming it. However, exotic invasive plants disrupt native plant life by competing for food and energy sources. There are many examples of both exotic and exotic invasive plants on our nature trail. Mimosa Trees have small pink flowers attract insects and birds All parts of the Tung Oil Tree are poisonous Chinese Tallow Trees are used for making wax candles Harlequin Glory Bower are extremely aromatic flowers Chinese Privet is a popular bonsai tree The Japanese Climbing Fern can reach up to 90 ft in length 22 Dead Tree 30° 42. 256’ N 88°11 . 104’ W 86515, 97428 Trees are an important part of the ecosystem of the forest. Even dead trees continue to supply food and shelter for many animals. A dead tree can provide homes for birds, mammals, reptiles, and insects. Many species will dig in the soft wood to get insects for food. A decomposing tree adds nutrients to the soil which helps the growth of other plants in the area. Because of the nutrient-rich soil, young trees may grow at the base of a dead tree or fallen limb. This downed tree, known as a nurse log, offers an ideal habitat for the young trees. 31 Fungi - Invisible Recyclers 30° 42. 138’ N 88°10 . 990’ W 86695, 97207 Fungi play an important ecological role as nature’s recyclers. Most fungi will spend their lifetime in the form of invisible cells called hyphae, feeding on dead organic matter. They capture, store, and release carbon and other nutrients that are important to...