Roan Mountain with Gary Kauffman
Our trip on June 28 was perfect. The skies were overcast in the morning and the 2 showers in the afternoon happened when we were near our cars. Many of the rare species in this unique and beautiful area were in bloom and Gary helped us see them all.
The Gray’s lilies seemed at their peak - scattered among the grasses and other grassy bald species on Round Bald. (The panoramic view was spectacular too.) It was heartbreaking to learn of the fungus that is affecting the lilies.
After lunch and a rain break, we were enchanted by the Red Spruce-Fraser Fir Forest and ended the day at a Rocky Summit. It was particularly satisfying to see Spreading Avens and Roan Mountain Bluet in bloom.
Karen’s photos as usual tell it best:
 |
| Rushes, Sedges, and Grasses |
 |
| Gary |
 |
| Wavy Hair grass |
 |
| Skunk Goldenrod |
 |
| Roan Rattlesnake Root; Nabalus Roanensis |
 |
| In the Red Spruce-Fraser Fir Forest |
 |
| Mountain Wood Sorrel; Oxalis montana |
 |
| Gary documenting Kalmia |
 |
| Gary and St. John's Wort; Hypericum mitchellianum |
 |
| Gary and Tassel-rue; Carolina Bugbane; Trautvetteria caroliniensis |
 |
| Gary with exciting grass! |
 |
| Tassel Rue |
 |
| Gray's Lily |
 |
| Papparazi filming |
 |
| Fraser Fir cones |
 |
| Gary nose to the lichens |
 |
| Green Alder; Alnus viridis |
 |
| Kalmia, Sand Myrtle; Kalmia buxifolia |
 |
| Lichen |
 |
| Micheaux's Saxifrage; Hydatrica petiolaris |
 |
| Mountain Wood Fern; Dryopteris camplyoptera |
 |
| Spreading Avens; Geum radiatum |
 |
| Spreading Avens; Geum radiatum |
 |
| Gary with light on rare lichen |
 |
| Roan Mountain Bluet; Houstonia montana |
 |
| Kalmia |
 |
| Stair-step Moss and |
 |
| Three-toothed Cinquefoil; Sibbaldia retusa |
 |
| Gray's lily; Lilium grayi |
 |
| Gray's Lily |
 |
| Gray's Lily |
 |
| Gray's Lily |
 |
| Oxeye Daisy; Leucanthemum vulgare |
 |
| Spreading Avens bloom |
