flora – Ogeechee Riverkeeper

Blog Post flora, Gratiola amphiantha, snorkelwort, threatened

Flora: Gratiola amphiantha

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper July 30, 2025

Gratiola amphiantha
Pool-sprite (snorkelwort)

Gratiola amphiantha, specimen K006380009. Collected in Greene County, Georgia © copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Aside from the very specific common name of snorkelwort, this tiny plant requires a very specific set of circumstances to even exist–and those ingredients are increasingly hard to come by. Firstly, the plant needs vernal (spring) pools on granite outcroppings. These are essentially shallow puddles that appear with spring rains and snow melts, remaining for a few weeks before drying up until the next year.

In addition to collecting water, the dents and divots need to have a thin layer of soil and nutrients for the seeds to take root. But the water can’t be too deep or the seedlings won’t get enough sunlight or be able to send leaves up to the water surface. It’s entire annual life cycle is about a month, meaning conditions have to be just right during its lifespan. Some years, it may lie dormant if water is scarce. It’s a miniature Goldilocks Zone for this disappearing plant.

It is considered an “aquatic annual herb” with leaves about a quarter of an inch. The flowers might be white or yellow, and are even smaller at about a tenth of an inch. Seedlings will begin to grow in winter, a chilly but not frozen environment in the southeast. Blossoms could be seen as soon as February and March, and all visible traces of the plant are gone by May.

The Georgia DNR has included snorkelwort in its 2025 Statewide Action Plan (SWAP) and lists it as imperiled, calling it both state and federally threatened. In Georgia, there are about 50 known populations, including in the upper reaches of ORK’s watershed. Their environment is rare enough in the most pristine conditions. The delicate balance is easily tipped by the effects of mining and quarrying (common in areas with the granite it requires). Hikers can also unwittingly disturb their dried beds, not to mention the introduction of any elements like litter or vehicle oils that will upset the chemical needs of the vernal pools.

Blog Post flora, meadow beauty, rhexia aristosa

Flora: Rhexia aristosa Britton

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper August 6, 2024

Rhexia aristosa Britton
Awned meadow beauty

Rhexia aristosa by Bruce A. Sorrie. via GA Biodiversity Portal

Rhexia aristosa Britton, a stunning flowering plant with its delicate petals and vibrant hues. In the southeast t is commonly known as Awned Meadow Beauty, although it has numerous common names throughout its range. It is a member of the Melastomataceae family, and native to the southeastern United States.

This perennial herbaceous plant is noted for its striking flowers, which range from lavender to bright magenta, and which bloom from late spring to early autumn, in wetlands, meadows, and open woodlands. It often reaches 24-28 inches tall.

It thrives in the wetlands, meadows, and open woodlands that line the banks of the Ogeechee River and its tributaries. The plant’s preference for moist, sandy soils makes it particularly well-suited to the riparian habitats found across the watershed.

Rhexia aristosa Britton Observation © Kyle Rossner via iNaturalist. Creative Commons License.

As a native species, Rhexia contributes to the richness and diversity of ecology within the watershed. Its nectar-rich flowers attract pollinators, while its foliage provides shelter and foraging opportunities for small mammals and birds. As both a food source and habitat, it plays a crucial role in the health of the ecosystem.

Although Bartram described a Rhexia species in his well-known Travels, that was likely the mariana subspecies. The Britton subspecies now found in the Ogeechee watershed appears to be first described by Britton in 1890 in the New Jersey Pinelands.

Rhexia specimen collected by Britton, in the archives at Kew, London. Digital Image © Board of Trustees, RBG Kew http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Despite its ecological importance, Rhexia aristosa faces threats from habitat loss, habitat degradation, and invasive species. Wetland drainage, urban development, and agricultural expansion pose significant challenges to the survival of this species. It is extremely sensitive to changes in wetland boundaries and reduction in natural spring levels. According to Georgia DNR, “Documented from 30 sites, only 11 populations of Rhexia aristosa have been seen recently in Georgia, most on a single conservation area.” In Georgia, it is considered an imperiled species.

Blog Post flora, marsh grass, spartina, Spartina alterniflora, Sporobolus alterniflora

Flora: Spartina alterniflora

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper March 4, 2024

Spartina alterniflora or Sporobolus alterniflora

Spartina Marsh Grass

We’re shining a spotlight on a humble yet essential inhabitant of our coastal marshes: Spartina alterniflora, (recently renamed by some botanists as Sporobolus alterniflora) commonly known as cordgrass or marsh grass. This remarkable plant plays a vital role in sustaining the health and integrity of our coastal environments.

Spartina marsh grass is a hardy perennial grass species that thrives in the salty, and brackish marshy habitats along Georgia coastlines. Characterized by tall, slender stems and vibrant green foliage, spartina serves as a cornerstone of coastal ecosystems, providing a multitude of benefits to both wildlife and humans alike. Its appearance changes throughout the seasons, shedding stalks in spring and flowering in fall.

The ecological significance of spartina marsh grass cannot be overstated. Importantly, it thrives in tidal zones with both salty ocean water and fresh water from rivers. As a foundational species within coastal marshlands, spartina performs a variety of crucial functions that contribute to the health and stability of these delicate ecosystems, including:

Habitat and Nursery Grounds: Spartina marshes serve as vital habitat and nursery grounds for a diverse array of fish, shellfish, and other aquatic organisms. The dense root systems of spartina plants provide shelter and protection for juvenile fish and crustaceans, helping to support healthy populations of commercially and recreationally valuable species.
Erosion Control: The extensive root systems of spartina marsh grass help to stabilize coastal soils and prevent erosion caused by tides, waves, and storms. By binding sediment together and reducing wave energy, spartina plays a critical role in protecting shorelines and coastal infrastructure from the impacts of erosion and sea level rise.

Water Filtration: Spartina marshes act as natural filtration systems, capturing and trapping sediments, nutrients, and pollutants from runoff and tidal waters. Through a process known as phytoremediation, spartina helps to improve water quality and maintain the health of estuarine and marine ecosystems.
Carbon Sequestration: Like all plants, spartina marsh grass absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during photosynthesis, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change by sequestering carbon in its tissues and in the soil. Spartina marshes are highly effective carbon sinks, storing significant amounts of carbon in their biomass and organic-rich sediments.

Despite its ecological importance, spartina marsh grass faces a range of threats in today’s world. Coastal development, habitat loss, invasive species, pollution, and climate change all pose significant challenges to the health and resilience of spartina marshes and the ecosystems they support.

Interested in joining us in our efforts to protect spartina marsh grass and other coastal treasures? There are many ways to get involved, from volunteering at restoration sites to supporting policies and practices that promote coastal conservation. Through advocacy efforts, habitat restoration projects, and community engagement initiatives, ORK and its supports work to promote the health and resilience of our coastal ecosystems and ensure a sustainable future for all who depend on them.

Blog Post bald cypress, flora, Taxodium distichum

Flora: Taxodium distichum

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper January 24, 2023

Taxodium distichum
Bald cypress tree

“Taxodium distichum, Deciduous cypress.” The New York Public Library Digital Collections. 1837.

The bald cypress tree is a native to the Ogeechee River basin, with a network that stretches across the southern United States. Reaching heights of more than 100 feet tall and spanning diameters of 6 feet or more, this deciduous conifer echoes the giant nature of its relatives in the Redwood Forest. Under the right conditions, the bald cypress can live for centuries.

Adorned with Spanish moss, bald cypress trees are often the tallest of the lot. Overhead, a canopy of color ranges from soft green to brilliant orange, to tan – depending on the season. As the name suggests, bald cypresses lose their needles in the fall and remain bare until late spring. In early growth stages, stringy layers of reddish-brown bark will peel off to reveal deeper, more pitted grooves with age. An elongated trunk fans out into a pleated, hollow base.

The most interesting features are what are known as cypress knees (pneumatophores). These scraped up, wobbly mounds appear around the tree’s base in various shapes and sizes when water is present. They congregate in conical droves, but the true function of cypress knees remains unknown.

There is heavy speculation that these knobby structures are conduits for aeration. Acting like snorkels, cypress knees might deliver air to crucial points where water is high and dissolved oxygen is low. They may also help with nutrient absorption/distribution.

The bald cypress tree shares a symbiotic relationship with the environment. Cypress trees found in wetlands are great storage units for excess water, which prevents downstream flooding and long-term erosion. Additionally, the bald cypress is a buffer that disengages toxins from the watershed.

From crown to root, the bald cypress is home to a multitude of critters. Wading birds and large raptors use the treetops as vantage points for nesting or hunting. Smaller mammals, such as rats or squirrels, roost in the nooks and crannies of the trunk. The stumpy knees provide a habitat for frogs, lizards, fish, and even alligators.

Cones produced by the bald cypress are foraged as a food source. The round, greenish pellets that drop in the fall contain seeds that are edible to certain species (humans excluded). Throughout the winter, cones will ripen up and the seeds can then be enjoyed by squirrels, ducks, and wild turkey.

Highly coveted in the lumber industry, the bald cypress tree upholds its reputation with endurance and strength. It is inherently resistant to water and slow to rot due to its “pecky” grain. Pecky cypress bears a malleable texture that is easy to work with and makes excellent indoor furniture for shelves, tables, or chairs. Finding the right piece can be like mining for gold.

To its advantage, the bald cypress has made a home in destinations that are uninviting and downright inaccessible to most loggers. The best lumber remains concealed by the murky mysteries of America’s swampland. ORk recommends one simply admires the bald cypress via a trip on the river.

– LP

Blog Post alexander garden, Coastal witch-alder, flora, Fothergilla gardenii, john fothergill

Flora: Fothergilla gardenii

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper July 13, 2022

‘Fothergil a feuilles d’aune – Fothergilla alnifolia Lin.’ Dictionaire des sciences naturelles classee d’apres la methode naturelle de M. Antoine-Laurent de Jussieu.’, by Pierre Jean Francois Turpin, published in Paris and Strasbourg by F.G. Levrault, 1816-1829.

Fothergilla gardenii
Coastal witch-alder

Witch-alder is a small shrub in the witch-hazel family. It is found in the Ogeechee watershed but it is threatened as a species. Wild populations are rare, with just four having been found in the past 20 years. They flourish on the edge of swamps and riverbanks, in slightly acidic or sandy, neutral soil. It prefers a fair amount of sun, or even dappled shade.

Its appearance changes greatly during the seasons. In spring, it displays white or cream ‘bottlebrush’ blooms with a sweet smell. Technically, these are pistils and stamens, with no petals at all. The blossoms often appear even before the light green foliage comes out. These attributes make them very popular with pollinators. After a summer of blue-green shrub leaves, it changes into vibrant reds and oranges for the fall.

The plant is easily grown in home gardens and recommended as a native plant in the southeast United States.

The genus name of the shrub is in honor of John Fothergill (1712-1780), a British doctor and botanist. He earned his medical degree at the University of Edinburgh, and was a Fellow of the Royal Society. Interested in botanical medicine, he pioneered new, sensible treatments for strep throat and was friends with fellow scientist Benjamin Franklin.

Portrait of John Fothergill; bust facing three-quarter to right; in an oval; after R. Livesay; illustration to Lettsom’s ‘Memoirs of John Fothergill’ (4th ed. London, 1786).

The species name honors Alexander Garden (1730-1791), a Scottish physician and plant enthusiast who lived in Charleston, South Carolina for several years. Garden studied and sent dozens of specimens to England botanical societies and to Carl Linnaeus in Sweden. The fragrant flower Gardenia is named in his memory.

Learn more about growing it in your backyard.