Appalachian
Treasure Hunt
Journaling Native Plants of Northeast Georgia
J. Whalen
"In the depths of winter I finally realized that deep within me there lay an invincible summer." Albert Camus
February 1
February often brings surprise ice storms in Northeast Georgia! This one caught a red maple tree in bud...and made icy bouquets for all passersby to enjoy.
February 2
This honey locust tree is a scary thing to spot on a winter walk, and is definitely not a good one for climbing! It's recognizable by its unmistakable thorns, but also by its seed pods that surround it on the ground in the fall. They look like large black "pea pods" because a honey locust tree is in the "pea" family. (Gleditsia triacanthos, Fabaceae) Hall County
February 3
There are four native trees in our area with "opposite" branching: dogwood, buckeye, maple, and ash. This one is a buckeye.
February 4
Buds of native shrubs are waiting to open. This one is Doghobble (Leucothoe fontanesianan, Ericaceae). Pioneer hunters were very annoyed when their dogs got tangled in the thick branches of this native shrub. Unicoi State Park
February 5
Georgia has more than 20 native species of oaks, in the Fagaceae family and the Quercus genus. They are recognized in winter by the cluster of buds at the tip of the twigs.
February 6
Magnificent beech trees (Fagus grandifolia) are in the oak family (Fagaceae). The winter buds are sharply pointed, and usually an inch long.
February 7.
Beech tree bark is smooth and gray. If you see a tree trunk with names carved into it, it's usually a beech!
February 8
Tulip poplar trees are tall and straight and light gray. The large green and orange tulip-shaped blooms in April are eagerly awaited by the honey bees.
February 9
Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera, Magnoliaceae) is, as you can see, in the magnolia family. This is the winter bud.
February 10
Hickory winter bud (Carya ssp, Juglandaceae). Any hickory nuts that fell last fall will probably be hidden under leaves near the tree, keeping lots of wildlife nourished during the long winter.
February 11
There are three elms common to Northeast Georgia. This one is a winged elm (Ulmus alata, Ulmaceae). These delicate buds will open soon to spill out tiny delicate flowers.
February 12
This is a sweetgum winter bud. (Liquidamber styraciflua, Hamamelidacea) The corky ridges on the stem are the give-away. In the fall the tree will be covered with red, purple, and yellow star-shaped leaves, and the spikey sweetgum burs will be annoying neat gardeners everywhere.
February 13
Dogwood winter "buttons" are reminders that clouds of white blooms will decorate our yards and woodlands in early April. (Cornus florida, Cornaceae)
The icy dogwood buds below are protected by frost-proof and tightly shut bud scales. The flowers inside are patiently waiting for spring.
February 14
This native columbine will bloom with beautiful orange flowers in April (Aquilegia canadensis, Ranunculaceae)
Some summer wildflowers leave a green "rosette" of leaves above ground throughout the winter.
(Gardens on Green, Gainesville, GA)
February 15
This rosette of green leaves will be covered with blue bird-foot violets in May.
(Viola pedata, Violaceae)
February 16
This is a Rosebay Rhododendron. In February you will often see this native shrub with drooping, curled up leaves. It's just conserving moisture and waiting for warmer days before it spreads out to absorb the increasing light of spring. (Rhododendron maximum, Ericaceae)
February 17
Robin's Plantain (Erigeron pilchellus, Asteraceae) is one of our first wildflowers to bloom in March. In late February you can find it already budded and eager for spring. This one was found along the trail down to Duke's Creek Falls.
February 18
The two mile walk around Unicoi Lake is a brisk and invigorating treat on a sunny February day. You'll start out wearing jacket, scarf and hat...and shed the jacket and hat before you get back to the parking lot.
February 19
A walk in a Hall County park is brightened by an evergreen growing close to the ground. This is ground pine, or running cedar, or fan clubmoss. (That's the problem with common names.) Diphasiastrum digitatum, Lycopodiaceae (formerly Lycopodium digitatum) is a relic from the Carboniferous period (40 million years ago!). It has a vascular system (like an oak) but reproduces by spores (like mosses). In spring little spikes will shoot up. Tap the spore cases at the top and spores will puff out in all directions. Incredibly, these spores were used as flash powder by photographers and magicians!
More ground pine and some very healthy moss
Can you find the pippissiwa in the picture?
February 20
Virginia Pine (Pinus virginiana, Pinaceae) is our shortest needled pine in this area. The needles are bundled in twos and are slightly twisted. Hall County
February 21
Shortleaf Pines actually have fairly long needles (three to five inches long) in bundles of two or three. Shortleaf pines can be confused with loblolly pines. The cones under shortleaf pines will be much smaller than those under loblolly pines. (Pinus echinata, Pinaceae) Hall County
February 22.
On almost any walk in the woods in our area you will find an American Holly (Ilex opaca, Aquifoliaceae). Hollies are dioescious ("two houses" - male trees and female trees). If this one is female we'll find red berries on it next December.
February 23
Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora, Magnoliaceae).
Strickly speaking, southern magnolias are native to middle and coastal Georgia. They have been planted in Northeast Georgia for years, however, and seem to be happy here, even in the snow.
February 24 .
If you are lucky enough to get a chance to fly over Northeast Georgia on a cold sunny day in late February you will look down to see clouds of red all through the woodlands and along the roadsides. Red maples are blooming! The individual flowers are tiny and spiky, but are quite impressive when they cover the trees. Very soon the trees will be covered with very small, but beautiful, bright red seeds. (Acer rubrum, Sapindaceae)
February 25
Another evergreen poking out of brown leaves this time of the year is Pipsissiwa (Chimaphila maculata, Ericaceae). It will bear beautiful tiny white flowers in the summer. The genus name, Chimaphila, is from two Greek words meaning "winter lover." (Don Carter State Park)
February 26
A tiny pine seedling among the fallen needles...
February 27
Red maple buds...note the opposite branching.
February 28
It's easy to look up at bare winter trees and think they all look alike. Often looking down at your feet will give you a clue that helps with identification. To the left is a seed pod from a Carolina Silverbell tree. Come back in April and the tree above will be covered in leaves and tiny white bell-shaped flowers. (Halsia carolina, Styraceae)
Don Carter State Park
These are fallen seed pods from a sourwood tree (Oxydendron arboretum, Ericaceae). Hundreds of tiny white flowers cover these trees in summer and are dearly loved by our local honeybees. Sourwood honey is the result!
(Don Carter State Park)
Fisherman enjoying Don Carter State Park
A late February hike along Bear Hair Gap Trail from Vogel State Park takes about three hours. There are no blooms yet, but lots of sunshine, fresh air, tumbling water, and beautiful views of surrounding mountains.
"No winter lasts forever;
No spring skips its turn."
Hal Borland