Appalachian
Treasure Hunt
Journaling Native Plants of Northeast Georgia
J. Whalen
"The rhythm of life and thought and change will be close around us now, and the restless energy of summer will be distilled into the stout brandy of another season. Change is ours to know and accept and build upon, even as the skies of Autumn clear and the leaves begin to fall. Fallen leaves open wider horizons to the seeing eye." Hal Borland
October 1
Georgia Aster blooms a little later than Late Purple Aster and has a slightly larger flower. The cone flowers in the center start out distinctly white and age to purple.
(Symphyotrichum
georgianus, Asteraceae) Gardens on Green, Hall County
October 2
Sweetshrub blooms in April here with reddish-brown blooms that are often fragrant. Then through the summer months the shrub fades into the many shades of green surrounding it. Check along the stems in October and you will see these large seedpods. Pull open the pod to see a handful of brown seeds that are there to provide for future generations, or as a tasty snack for the creatures who come out at night. (Calycanthus floridus, Calycanthaceae) Gardens on Green, Hall County
October 3
Sweet gum trees are not welcome in a pristine lawn, but to hunters and hikers they are things of beauty in the fall with multicolored leaves and these unusual seedpods. In addition, the tree is a valuable commercial hardwood for landowners.
(Liquidamber syraciflua, Hammamelicaceae) White County
October 4
Aside from their classic beauty, White Oaks have been some of the most useful trees in North American history. Another common name is "stave oak" because of its use for whiskey and wine barrels. It is unsurpassed as a "shade tree." (Quercus alba, Fagaceae) Union County
October 5
Wildflower season ends the year with a bang in the blue category. Three of our gentians include Stiff Gentian (Gentianella quinquefolia) above right, Fringed Gentian (Gentian crinita) left, and Striped Gentian (Gentiana villosa), below right. Watch for bees working hard to get inside! (Gentianaceae) Towns County
October 6
Another colorful surprise found in an unexpected place.
October 7
Painted Buckeyes, or Georgia Buckeyes, have long been pocketed for a little bit of extra good luck through the coming winter. (Aesculus sylvatica, Hippocastanaceae) Union County
October 8
In October there are still a few puffs of milkweed seeds to be seen along sunny roadsides. The field mice and chipmunks
will greedily collect it to line their winter nests.(Aesclepiadaceae)
October 9
Paddlers and Red Maple leaves.
October 10
Hickory leaves are turning yellow by October. Look on the ground for hickory nuts which are eagerly awaited by woodland animals with VERY sharp teeth! Mockernut Hickory (Carya tomentosa, Juglandaceae) Hall County
October 11
Mountain road, Union County
October 12
Autumn Pasture Union County
October 13
October Reflections, Lake Winfield Scott
October 14
Georgia has about 400 species of native grasses and October is the month that most of them draw attention with their beautiful seedheads. Above is Broomsedge, Bushy Broomsedge, Purpletop, and Silver Plume Grass in front of the Sourwood tree. Stop and take a closer look!
October 15
Sweetgum leaves...all from the same tree! Hall County (Liquidamber sryraciflua, Hamamelidaceae)
October 16
If you are out driving in October you may see large plots of tumbling white (tiny) asters along sunny roadsides. The many species have white ray flowers and a center yellow disk, turning red with age. They are a soft contrast to the brightening tree color. (Symphiotrichum spp, Asteraceae) White County
October 17
This climbing vine, Virginia Creeper, has been green all summer but changes to a showier red in October. Look for it climbing trees and fences all over Northeast Georgia.
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October 18
Even the white August flower clusters often show off a little color in October. This is Cowbane (Oxypolis rigidior, Apiaceae) Union County
October 19
Sassafras trees have some of our most colorful fall leaves and can be either red or orange or yellow. (Sassifras albidum, Lauraceae) Hall County
October 20
Along our many rivers you'll find River Birch turning shades of orange. Check the trunk of the trees to find the beautiful curling bark. (Betula nigra, Betulaceae) Hall County
October 21
All of our White Oaks, identified by rounded leaf lobes, can vary in fall color depending on soil and weather conditions. Always look on the ground and pick up a few acorns if exact identification is important.
October 22
Sycamore leaves have a very distinctive shape, but look at the tree bark for verification. It will have a mottled "camo" appearance because of the peeling outer bark. (Liquidamber styraciflua, Hamamelicaceae)
October 23
Striped Maple is an unusual maple found only at higher elevations. You'll see it if you are climbing any of our mountains along the Appalachian Trail. Young stems are green with white longitudinal streaks. The fall leaves are pale yellow. (Acer pensylvanicum, Aceraceae) Union County
October 24
Red Maple leaves. Notice the red stems. Come back in February to see the red flowers, and then in March to see the small red seeds. Southern Living has called this the "Quinticential Southern Tree." (Acer rubrum, Aceraceae) Hall County
October 25
Most of our native "fruit" trees are in the rose family. This one is black cherry. The black berries are BELOVED by birds. Prunus serotina, Rosaceae (Dawson County)
October 26
Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra, Fagaceae) Look on the
ground for large acorns. As with all red oaks, the leaves are bristle-tipped. White County
October 27
In late October the persimmons are finally ready for hungry woodland creatures. Pick them early if you want a few to make persimmon pudding. (Diospyros virginiana, Ebenaceae) Habersham County
October 28
Our Southern Magnolia's shiny dark green leaves are enhanced in September by fuzzy rosey-red fruits. These will mature by December when bright red seeds pop out for birds and small animals to enjoy. (Magnolia grandefolia, Magnoliaceae) Hall County
October 29
Alongside the flower buds for next April flowers, you will
find red berries on our native dogwoods this month. Another reason for them to be one of our most popular ornamental trees. (Cornus florida, Cornaceae) Hall County
October 30
Georgia has some devastatingly invasive foreign thistles, but one of our native ones is Field Thistle (Cirsium discolor, Asteraceae). The undersides of the leaves are distinctively white and the leaves are deeply lobed. Clarke County
October 31
"In nature nothing is thrown away,
because there is no 'away.'"
Wendell Berry
