Mountain Camellia (Stewartia ovata), SR-P/S2/G4
A single, knee-high stem of this Tea Family plant was observed in the northern property region, just east of the stream but it is uncertain if it is a naturalized stem from nearby plantings or a native occurrence since mature, flowering stems were not seen.
Conservatively, it is being treated as a naturally occurring plant so that it can flower and potentially spread. This species is typically found near streams and water though not in saturated wetland conditions and is often associated with Rhododendron.
“SR-P” indicates species that “Significantly Rare – Peripheral” meaning they occur in NC at the edge of their regional ranges and are thus rare in the state and typically found in rare habitats. Regionally, Camellia centered on the southern Blue Ridge but closer to TN, GA, SC. In NC it is more common in the western mountains and it has small regional populations scattered in the western Piedmont.
In NC an “S2” status indicates 5-20 known regional populations (which can cover large areas vs. individual properties) and regionally it has a “G4” status meaning “regionally secure” meaning that enough populations are known and protected that it is not threatened or endangered.
Riverbank Wild Rye (Elymus riparius), W7/S2/G5
Two locations were observed of this slender native grass, one at the northeast property corner near the stream and a second on the western dam embankment as indicated by the previous years dried spikes. Other patches or small colonies may exist onsite in open areas. This species occurs in moist forests and low rich woods along large rivers. Like Nottaway Valley brome, it is considered “rare and poorly known” (W7), “critically imperiled” (S1) in the state, having 5 or fewer known regional populations, and globally “secure” (G5) being more abundant
Canada Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), W5/S4/G5
Formerly a dominant evergreen throughout Blue Ridge coves, moist slopes, and waterways, this species would have originally been common throughout this property. Hemlock has lost 95% of its total coverage and stems since the Blue Ridge invasion of the HWA in 2001 on imported Japanese Hemlock nursery stock. W5 refers to plants that have become rare due to major and usually rapid declines (HWA invasion). Though S4 and G5 indicate “apparently secure” and “secure” regional populations, only 5-10% of Hemlocks remain in the region and are continuing to decline meaning these rankings are factually out of date.
Only on small sapling (1-2-inches diameter) and approximately 3-4 feet height was observed and this stem was “released” (with help of residents) via removing a small Red Maple and select Holly branches which were over-topping and shading the Hemlock. With these removals, the tree should begin to reach for the canopy relativley quickly as saplings are generally vigorous and much more capable of resisting HWA invasion. It is possible that other saplings are found onsite and if so, these should be released as soon as possible.
Aggressive NNIS species
English Ivy
Asian Bittersweet
Chinese Privet
Multiflora Rose