Releve Virginia Division of Natural Heritage, see http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural_heritage/documents/nh_plotform_instructions.pdf
Overall Taxon Cover Values are Automatically Calculated?
no
Stem Observation Area
400
m²
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Tree Cover
70
%
Shrub Cover
30
%
Field Cover
70
%
Nonvascular Cover
40
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Habitat is a stream headwaters characterized by a complex of braided seeps and stream. This is one of the more extensive groundwater seepage swamps on the northern Virginia Blue Ridge. Dominants include Betula allegheniensis, Fraxinus americana, Acer rubrum, Lindera benzoin, Carex bromoides, Veratrum viride, Carex scabrata, Impatiens capensis, and Viola cucullata. A population of the globally rare plant Euphorbia purpurea, which occupies edges and hummocks of the swamp, probably reflects the chemistry and nutrient status of soils derived from the Catoctin greenstone, a mafic metamorphic rock.
Plot location : Shenandoah National Park. Near the headquarters of East Branch Naked Creek, ca. 0.6 mi. SSE of the jct. of Tanners Ridge Road and Skyline Drive, and 0.4 mi. NW of Milam Gap.