Cranberry Glades

The Cranberry Glades are a remnant of the Ice Age. The glades are acidic bogs and the flora of this area more resembles Canada than the mid-Atlantic US. Many of the plants here are at the southern-most end of their range.

For many years I've come here in the summer with the Field Ecology Governor's School, but this is the first spring trip I've had. It's a different set of plants to see.

Round Glade

A boardwalk provides a half-mile trail through the bogs without getting your feet wet. I particularly liked the pattern of the knots in the wooden planks here.

While not native to this area, pitcher plants (Sarracenia purpurea) have flourished. These plants attract insects, then drown them in the water collected inside the "pitchers". The plants derive much of their nitrogen needs from digesting the insects.

Violets (Viola spp.) were abundant.

Marsh Marigolds (Caltha palustris) were everywhere.

A closer view of the Marsh Marigold flower.

Chokeberry (Pyrus spp., although the most recent Virginia Tech database has this as Photinia pyrifolia)

Another unidentified shrub (possibly Viburnum cassinoides, Witherod) leafing out.