Brush Creek Falls

Mercer County, West Virginia, Mountains. Submitted by John Burkhart, West Virginia Natural Heritage Botanist

Brush Creek Preserve and Falls is an excellent place to observe a variety of rare and distinctive flora in a convenient and accessible place. From the parking area, a visitor can walk down the trail along Brush Creek towards the Bluestone River. Along the way, one can encounter Gorge Goldenrod (Solidago faucibus), Canby’s Mountain-lover (Paxistima canbyi), and Canada Yew (Taxus canadensis). As one walks downstream along Brush Creek, the forest changes from typical mixed-deciduous forest to calcareous glades. As the trail reaches the Bluestone River, limestone cliffs are present which host a large population of American Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis). A remarkable waterfall can be seen at the trail’s end on White Oak Creek and riverscour boulder prairies can be observed along the Bluestone River.

The Nature Conservancy; 50 ha (124 acres)

© John Burkhart

Canaan Valley State Park

Tucker County , West Virginia, Mountains. Submitted by John Burkhart, West Virginia Natural Heritage Botanist

This state park is an excellent area to sample the diverse flora and ecosystems of the High Allegheny Region. Situated in and above Canaan Valley, the largest high-elevation wetland and valley complex east of the Mississippi, the area hosts a variety of wetlands, Red Spruce (Picea rubens) forests, scattered Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea), and grass and heath balds. In addition to its high elevation, topographic relief, and variety of moisture conditions, the proximity of acidic, sandstone-derived substrates to basic, limestone-derived substrates contributes to the high diversity of flora and vegetation in the area.

West Virginia Division of Natural Resources; 2,434 ha (6,014 acres)

© Brian Streets

Chief Logan State Park

Logan County, West Virginia, Mountains. Submitted by John Burkhart, West Virginia Natural Heritage Botanist

Chief Logan State Park features a landscape characteristic of the rugged low hills of the Cumberland Mountains of southern and central West Virginia. From streams to steep forested slopes and boulder-capped hilltops, the flora is representative of this region, with a well-developed spring ephemeral wildflower display, rich forests on the lower and more sheltered slopes, and oak-hickory-heath forests on drier aspects and ridgetops. A visitor can see some of the few remaining stands of Giant Cane (Arundinaria gigantea) in the state, as well as the rare mint, Gyandotte Beauty (Synandra hispidula).

West Virginia Division of Natural Resources; 1,614 ha (3,988 acres)

© Brian Streets

Cranesville Swamp

Preston County, WV and Garrett County, MD, West Virginia, Mountains. Submitted by John Burkhart, West Virginia Natural Heritage Botanist

Cranesville Swamp, which straddles the border of West Virginia and Maryland provides a great place to observe peat bogs and forested swamps that support Red Spruce (Picea rubens), Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), and one of the southernmost populations of Eastern Larch (Larix laricina). Because the area of the Swamp is lower than the surrounding areas it forms a ‘frost pocket’ due to cold-air pooling, making the area amenable to plants from more northerly climes. Boardwalks make access to the bogs and swamps straightforward, from which a wide variety of mosses, ferns, sedges, herbs, and shrubs can be seen.

The Nature Conservancy; 718 ha (1,774 acres)

© Brian Streets

George Washington & Jefferson National Forest: Shenandoah Wildlife Management Area

Pendleton County, West Virginia, Mountains. Submitted by John Burkhart, West Virginia Natural Heritage Botanist

Shenandoah WMA lies within and occupies the mountainous border-region between West Virginia and Virginia. Westside Road, which runs roughly North/South from US Route 33 to Ft. Seybert, provides excellent roadside botanizing opportunities. Late summer/early fall is a great time to make this drive, as a variety of aster species can be seen including sunflowers (Helianthus spp.), goldenrods (Solidago ssp.), and blazing stars (Liatris spp.).

US Forest Service; 20,533 ha (50,378 acres)

© John Burkhart

Kanawha State Forest

Kanawha County, West Virginia, Mountains. Submitted by John Burkhart, West Virginia Natural Heritage Botanist

In close proximity to the state capital of Charleston, Kanahwa State Forest is well-known and beloved for the diversity and quantity of its flora and fauna. Cove forests, which include old-growth stands in the eastern watersheds of the forests - consist of white, northern red, and chestnut oaks as well tulip, black gum, beech, multiple species of hickory, and multiple pine species. These rich forests have abundant spring ephemeral wildflower displays. The boulders and small cliffs of the forest are home to multiple common and rare fern species. 60 miles of well-maintained trails and other amenities including campgrounds and a Nature Center make Kanawha State Forest easily accessible to a wide audience.

West Virginia Division of Natural Resources; 3763 ha (9,300 acres)

© John Burkhart

McClintic Wildlife Management Area

Mason County, West Virginia, Mountains. Submitted by John Burkhart, West Virginia Natural Heritage Botanist

McClintic WMA hosts a variety of wetlands characteristic of the large river floodplains of the Ohio River. Natural and man-made ponds and wetlands host a variety of interesting sedges, rushes, and aquatic plants, and a diverse uplands flora can be found in the surrounding low hills. In addition to natural history attractions, the area in and around McClintic was the location of the original ‘Mothman’ sightings!

West Virginia Division of Natural Resources AND U.S. Forest Service; 1,479 ha (3,655 acres)

© WV DNR

Monongahela National Forest: Fernow Experimental Forest

Tucker County, West Virginia, Mountains. Submitted by John Burkhart, West Virginia Natural Heritage Botanist

The Fernow is a research forest that supports long-term silvicultural and watershed experiments: many experiments have been running continuously since the 1950’s. The area is characterized by high-quality mixed deciduous forests and a rich herbaceous layer. An important geological gradient in the higher mountains of West Virginia occurs across limestone derived vs. sandstone-derived soils, and this gradient is readily apparent at the Fernow. The sandstone-derived soils are more acidic and are home to distinctive groups of plants such as heaths. The limestone-derived soils are more basic and generally more fertile. These calcium-rich, basic soils are home to a diverse spring ephemeral flora, numerous species of shrubs, vigorous tree growth, and arguably, the world’s most extensive wood nettle thickets!

US Forest Service; 1,902 ha, (4,700 acres)

© Jim Vanderhorst

New River Gorge National Park

Fayette and Summers County, West Virginia, Mountains. Submitted by John Burkhart, West Virginia Natural Heritage Botanist

The New River Gorge hosts an incredible variety of flora, including globally rare clifftop and rimrock communities, forested wetlands and seeps, small stream riparian areas, talus and boulder slopes, and river scour prairies and aquatic vegetation. The New River serves as a major biogeographic corridor between Southern and Central Appalachia, and many species with more southern affinities can be found in the Park such as Pink Laurel (Rhododendron catawbiense), Fringe-tree (Chionanthus virginicus), and Common Silverbell (Halesia tetraptera). Sandstone Falls, a set of large waterfalls and shallows stretching the width of the New River near Hinton, WV has scour prairies and open woodlands on the river islands. The Park is also rich in human and cultural history, including the abandoned coal mining towns of Kaymoor and Nuttalburg and an engineering marvel- the New River Gorge Bridge- which spans the gorge and is the Western Hemisphere’s longest single-span arch bridge.

National Park Service; 29,464 ha (72,808 acres)

© Brian Streets

WVU Core Arboretum

Monongalia County, West Virginia, Mountains. Submitted by John Burkhart, West Virginia Natural Heritage Botanist

WVU Core Arboretum was established in 1948 and is located on a 91-acre tract of hillside and bottomland near the WVU Coliseum, between Monongahela Boulevard and the Monongahela River. The Arboretum has 3 miles of foot trails, lawns and gardens with more than 150 species of planted trees and shrubs, old growth temperate deciduous forest on hillside and floodplain sites, interpretive signs, trailside benches, a small woodland amphitheater, and an information kiosk. The name of the Arboretum honors its founder and influential West Virginia botanist Earl L. Core, and many of the trails are named for other WV botanists. The Core Arboretum is an exceptional place to observe spring ephemeral wildflowers, with guided wildflower walks in the spring being a longstanding tradition. The Mountaineer Audubon Society also regularly leads bird walks, particularly in the spring. During the summer months, the Arboretum hosts the ‘Nature Connection’ series on most Tuesdays in which regional researchers present on a variety of topics. During the fall, there is a PawPaw Festival that includes plant sales, tastings, and activities.

West Virginia University; 37 ha (91 acres)

© John Burkhart