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ECOLOGICAL AND FLORISTIC ANALYSIS OF
BAKERTOWN FEN

By

Margaret Ann Kohring

A THESIS

Submitted to

Michigan State University
in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of

MASTER OF SCIENCE

Department of Botany and Plant Pathology

1982

G/aoccov

ABSTRACT

By

Margaret Ann Kohring

Bakertown Fen, Berrien County Michigan is a fen
within the Prairie Peninsula which was inventoried from
March-November 1978-1980. The herbaceous vegetation was
analyzed by determining the percentage cover of 66
quadrats along 13 transects in late June and August in
1978. In October 1978 the Brunke Section of Bakertown
Fen was burned. The herbaceous vegetation was again
sampled in 66 random quadrats along 13 transects. In
general the fen vegetation responded by profuse flower-
ing and vigorous growth after the burn. .

A total of 302 species of vascular plants were col-

lected at various stages of development. Each is listed

with its distribution and flowering time.

ii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Many people have contributed toward the completion
of this study and I am grateful for all their help. Max
Medley first introduced me to Bakertown Fen and extended
suggestions throughout the study. Alvin Brunke, the
City of Buchanan, and Buchanan Cooperative gave permis-
sion to study the fen portions of their land. The
Bertrand Township and Buchanan Fire Departments partici-
pated in the burn in accordance with a plan developed by
Arthur Sutton of the Forest Fire Division, Department of
Natural Resources.

I would like to express my appreciation to my major
professor, Dr. Stephenson for assistance in data analysis
and to my committee members, Dr. John Beaman, the late
Dr. William T. Gillis, and Dr. Susan R. Kephart.

Special thanks go to Daniel Nepstad and James Kelley
who helped with the burn. I also appreciate the maps
and diagrams drafted by Hannah Priwer, Gloria Genee and
Bonnie Heidel.

I am indebted to my mother, Louise Kohring who has
offered continuous encouragement and help throughout my
life and to my brother, William Kohring who helped with

the data analysis.

iii

Dedicated to the memory of

Dr. William T. Gillis

iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................. ii
DEDICATION ........................................ iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................. iv
LIST OF TABLES .................................... v
LIST OF FIGURES ................................... vi
INTRODUCTION ...................................... 1
Literature Review ............................ 1
Physical Setting ............................. 5
Habitats ..................................... 15
METHODS ........................................... 21
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ............................ 25
Effect of a Fall Burn ........... 7 ............. 25
Phenology .................................... 34
Comparison with Other Fens ................... 45
Checklist of Vascular Plants ................. 49
CONCLUSIONS ....1 ................................... 66

LITERATURE CITED .................................. 69

LIST OF TABLES

Table Page

1. Species frequency difference between
unburned and fall burned plots ........... 32

2. Comparison study results between the
flora of Bakertown Fen's Brunke
Section and other fens ................... 48

vi

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure Page
1. Topographic Map of Bakertown Fen ........ 10
2. Map of Soils Types ...................... 12
3. Ownership Map ........................... 14

4. Phenological Patterns in Bakertown
Fen ..................................... 38

LITERATURE REVIEW

Originally the term fen was a colloquial word used in the
British Isles to describe the area around an estuary
(Tansley 1939). Recently it has been used (Curtis 1959)

to refer to a "...grassland on a wet and springy site,

with an internal flow of water rich in calcium and magnesium
carbonates and sometimes calcium and magnesium sulfates as
well." Fens have been described in Northern Europe, North
America, South Africa, Morocco and the Galapagos Islands.

In North America the word fen was advanced by Anderson
(1943) who used it to describe a prairie wetland in Iowa.
Since then it has been used to characterize wetlands in

the Sierra Nevada Mountains (California), the prairie region
and in the Northern mixed mesophytic forest region.

All fens according to Tansley (1939) have alkaline to
neutral waters just below the soil surface. The alkalinity
generally results from ground water passing through cal-
careous geologic strata. They differ from bogs which have
acidic stagnant water and marshes which lack the highly
organic soils of fens. Given these common components, fens
occur in a variety of topographic and hydrological conditions.

Fens are located near estuaries, along lake edges,
bordering streams and on steep slopes. The European fens

(Willis 1973) are on former estuaries and can cover thousands

of hectares in river valleys. They are regarded as a
transitional stage (Tansley 1939) from open water to land
vegetation.

In Michigan the Sodon Lake Fen (Cain and Slater
1948) and the Hampton Creek Fen (Sytsma 1979) are located
around lakes. Streams bring in surface drainage water
but most water comes from subterranean sources. In both
cases the fens are vegetation zones between open water
and the woodland edge.

Battle Creek Fen in Michigan studied by Hoffines and
Nepstad (1980) is located on the banks of a stream. From
the banks, water seeps through the fen and down into the
stream.

In northern Michigan (Schwintzer 1978), fens are
floating islands of alkaline peat moss within or around
the margins of a lake.

Curtis (1959) and Erman (1976) studied fens in
Wisconsin and California respectively, which were on hill-
sides. In both cases these fens were small, ranging from
0.2 to 2.9 hectares and known locally as hanging bogs.

Fen water is generally spring fed and has perco-
lated through various types of calcareous deposits
(Curtis 1959). In northern Michigan fens, the water has

percolated through glacial till of Devonian limestone and

dolomites, and the fen soils are peat (Schwintzer 1978).
Peat soils also characterized the Iowa fens studied by
Anderson (1943). Zimmerman (unpubl. mans.) described

fen soils in southeastern Wisconsin as "dominated by a
continuous layer of peat abundantly fed internally by
calcareous ground water seepages". The water that flowed
through the British peat soils (Tansley 1939) rose to the
surface through limestone deposits.

Fens in the western hemisphere, with the exception
of those in the Galapagos Islands are found in glaciated
regions. The calcareous deposits through which spring
water flows, are often glacial till (Schwintzer 1978;
Cain and Slater 1943). Moran (1979) postulated that the
moranic gravel ridges have high hydraulic conductivity
which provide fens with a constant flow of ground water.

Fens in the midwest can be further subdivided on
the basis of their location (Moran 1979). Prairie fens
occur within the prairie peninsula (Transeau 1939) and
have a large prairie element in their flora. The second
group is north of the "transition zone" and are dominated
by boreal species.

In general both types of fens are dominated by

sedges; many species are calceophiles and have various

affinities. Curtis (1959) describes the heterogeneous
nature of fens by saying fens have retained representa-
tives of each major vegetation formation from post glacial
times. According to Curtis the bog element might have
entered when spruce forest dominated the midwest and
the prairie species when the xerothermic period prevailed.
In summary, though fens occur in different and re-
mote areas of the world they have common elements. They
are wetlands having a continuous flow of spring water
which has percolated through calcareous deposits. Their
floristic composition depends on the regional flora, but
most fens have sedges, calceophiles and nonericaceous

shrubs.

PHYSICAL SETTING

Bakertown Fen is located in Bertrand and Buchanan
Townships, Berrien County, Michigan in the NW& of the
NEk of Sec. 3, T.88., R.18W. and the SW2 of the SEk of
T.7S., R.18W. A small portion of the study area lies in
the southeastern corner of the intersection of Bakertown
and Chamberlain Roads: the remainder is north of
Chamberlain Road. The National Railroad Passenger Corpora-
tion (AMTRAK) right-of-way transects the fen in an east
to west direction.

Ownership of the fen is divided among four parties;
Mr. Alvin Brunke ownstflmeparcel southeast of the inter-
section of Bakertown and Chamberlain Roads (Fig. 3). The
triangular shaped parcel bounded on the west by Bakertown
Road, on the south by Chamberlain Road and on the north by
AMTRAK is owned by Buchanan Cooperative. The National
Railroad Passenger Corporation owns the right-of-way.
North of the AMTRAK right-of-way the property is owned by
the City of Buchanan.

Two of the owners have agreed to preserve the fen.
In December 1978 the City of Buchanan dedicated 25.3
hectares of fen as McCoy Creek Natural Area. Under a
protection agreement signed in September 1979, AMTRAK

agreed to preserve the prairie vegetation on both sides

of the track starting at the McCoy Creek crossing and
extending 6,000 meters eastward.

The general physiography of the area is characterized
by glacial deposits of Wisconsin age. About 0.8 kilo-
meters to the east and southeast an arm of the Valparaiso
Moraine rises to an elevation of 17.4 meters above the
lowest point of the fen. Bakertown Fen lies on the out-
wash plain of this glacial feature. The Valparaiso Moraine
contains limestone which leaches out as calcium and
magnesium bicarbonates in the surrounding area and ac-
counts for the ground water's slight alkalinity of pH
7.2-7.6.

Several springs emerge from steep banks surrounding
each of the fens. Water collects in a central point of
the fen and gradually drains into McCoy Creek. The spring
water from the Brunke Section drains through a culvert

under Chamberlain Road into McCoy Creek.

SOILS

 

Three soil types, ponded aquents, Spinks loamy fine
soil and the Gilford sandy loam are found in the study
area (Larson et al. 1979). Most of Bakertown Fen lies
on ponded aquents and histosols which are formed from
organic materials, mainly derived from the partial decay

of plant materials with some inclusions of alluvial

mineral soils (Fig. 2). The area has a water table at
or near the surface throughout the year.

The AMTRAK right-of—way, Buchanan Cooperative property
and McCoy Creek Natural Area's oak forest are on Spinks
loamy fine sand. These well drained soils are formed
from glaciofluvial deposits. The upper part of the soil
is yellowish-brown loamy sand, the lower part pale brown
sand with thin bands of brown loamy sand. Generally the
Spinks soils occur on outwash plains with 2 to 8 percent
slopes.

A portion of the lowland forest located north of
McCoy Creek is on Gilford sandy loam. These deep, poorly
drained soils are formed on sandy sediments on outwash
plains. ‘The upper part is a black organic mixture and
the lower strata a fine sandy loam. A mottled fine gray
sandy loam characterizes the first six inches of the sub-

soil with mottled gray sandy loam below.

CLIMATE

I The average annual precipitation in the South Bend,
Indiana area (approximately 8 kilometers due south of
Bakertown Fen) for the period 1941-1970 was 91.92 cm,
with a maximum of 118.62 cm in 1954 and a minimum of
63.88 cm in 1963. For this 29 year period the greatest

monthly rainfall was in April (10.18 cm), June (9.44 cm),

and July (9.32 cm); the least precipitation occurred in
February (4.92 cm), January (6.02 cm), and December

(6.27 cm). For the same period the average annual
temperature was 12.3° C. The average daily maximum for
this period was highest in July with 20.8° C and the
average daily minimum was lowest in January with 4.1° C.
(Data from the Environmental Data and Information Service,

South Bend, Indiana.)

Figure l. Topographic map of the Bakertown Fen

 

 

   

qv_vn Rd.

in

.\.Bokert

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

T.7 S.

T88.

 

1 kilometer

Figure 2.

Map
Symbol

11B
11C
11D
13B
19A

20

35
57A
60B

11

Map of Soil Types Around Bakertown Fen.
Soil Survey Maps and Interpretations
Weesaw-Buchanan, Bertrand Township, United
States Dept. of Agriculture.

Soil Types

Field Name

 

Houghton Muck

Oshtemo sandy loam, 0 to 6 percent slopes
Oshtemo sandy loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes
Oshtemo sandy loam, 12 to 18 percent slopes
Spinks loamy fine sand, 0 to 6 percent slope
Brady sandy loam, 0 to 6 percent slope
Gilford sandy loam

Aquents and Histosols, ponded

Thetford loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slope

Plainfield sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes

Bakertown Rd.

12

 

 

13

Figure 3. Ownership Map of Study Areas Within

Bakertown Fen.

 

 

l4

 

 

“a“
”“1
I

'V ' ' ' ' " Buchanan Cooperatlva

QUK/

 

 

Clty of Buchanan

o
c
l"

A

 

 

an}... Brunke

 

 

 

-5 O 1 kilometer

15

HABITATS

The study area can be divided into seven habitats of
which the fen is floristically the richest. Each habitat
is briefly described below and characterized by a few
distinctive species. Quantitative data collected for
the Brunke section fen are added to the description.

1. McCoy Creek. The creek flows through the northern

 

portion of Bakertown Fen (Fig. 1). It is lined with

sandbar willow (Salix interior), cottonwood

 

(Populus deltoides), red-osier dogwood

 

(Cornus stolonifera) and a few boxelder (Acer negundo).

 

In shallow backwater areas, duckweed (Lemna minor)

 

and water-meal (Wolfia columbiana) are common. In

 

the fast flowing shallow gravel areas of McCoy Creek

bur-reed (Sparganium eurycarpum) and

 

Potamogeton gramineus are the dominant aquatic plants.

 

2. Shrub-carr. Most of the McCoy Creek Natural Area is

 

vegetated by shrub-carr composed of Cornus stolonifera,

 

gray dogwood (Cornus racemosa), silky dogwood

 

(Cornus obliqua), and several species of willow. The

 

understory is sparse in the shrub-carr; the most

common species is Carex aquatilis. Several vine form-

 

ing species, such as ground-nut (Apios americana),

 

16

virgin's bower (Clematis virginiana) and wild grape

 

(Vitis riparia) climb on the shrubs.

 

Sedge-meadow. Margins of the shrub-carr are occupied

 

by sedge meadow. The meadow is dominated by
Carex aquatilis with scattered goldenrod (Solidago spp.),

meadow rue (Thalictrum dasycarpum), nettle

 

 

(Urtica dioica), elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) and

 

 

buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula). In the wettest areas,

 

marsh fern (Thelypteris palustris), blue flag iris

 

(Iris virginica) and broad-leaved cattail

 

(Typha latifolia) are common.

 

Oak-Forest. At the east edge of the fen on the AMTRAK

 

right-of—way is a red oak (Quercus borealis). Under-

 

story species include bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum),

 

 

buttercup (Ranunculus fascicularis) and wood anemone

 

(Anemone quinquefolia). Of special interest is the

 

north margin of the forest where it shades a seepage

area; cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamonea), interrupted

 

fern (Osmunda claytoniana) and jewelweed

 

(Impatiens biflora) are abundant here.

 

Mesic prairie. A mesic prairie occurs along the AMTRAK

 

right-of-way which is dominated by big bluestem

(Andropogon gerardi) . Typical species include pale Indian

 

plantain (Cacalia atriplicifolia) , yellow-headed cone-flower

 

l7

(Ratibida pinnata), prairie willow (Salix humilis)

 

 

and western sunflower (Helianthus occidentalis). This

 

is a remnant of the Terre Coupe Prairie (Butler 1947)
which covered 20,000 acres in northern Indiana and
extended into Michigan in the Bakertown area.
Fen. There are three sections of fen which occur in
the Bakertown Fen, the McCoy Creek Natural Area fen
near the north-central boundary, AMTRAK's railroad
right-of-way fen which extends into McCoy Creek
Natural Area on the southern end and the Brunke sec-
tion at the corner of Bakertown and Chamberlain Roads.
All three fen sites occur along seepage areas on
slightly higher ground above McCoy Creek. The species
composition of the fens is similar except where noted.
Several fen indicator species including fringed

gentian (Gentiana procera), cowbane (Oxypolis rigidior),

 

 

Kalm's lobelia (Lobelia kalmii), Riddell's goldenrod

 

(Solidagg riddellii), bog arrow-grass

 

(Triglochin maritima) and Indian plantain

 

(Cacalia tuberosa) are common in the fen. Prairie

 

components consist of Andropogon gerardi, Indian grass

 

(Sorhastrum nutans), rosinweed (Silphium integrifolium)

 

 

and nodding wild onion (Allium cernuum).

 

18

The north—central fen in the McCoy Creek Natural
Area has a much higher percentage (70%) of shrubby

cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa) than either of the

 

other fens. White lady-slipper (Cypripedium candidum)

 

is especially profuse in this section.
Threatened species designated by the Michigan
legislature (Wagner et a1. 1977) in this section are

Cypripedium candidum, showy brown-eyed susan

 

(Rudbeckia sullivantii), rosin weed

 

(Silphium integrifolium), spotted phlox (Phlox maculata)

 

 

and Jacob's ladder (Polemonium reptans). A species

 

listed as rare by Wagner et a1. (1977) but not recognized

by the legislature is valerian (Valeriana ciliata).

 

The site along the AMTRAK right-of-way and a por-,
tion of the southern border of McCoy Creek Natural Area
have the highest number of fen species. This area has
large patches of prairie dock

(Silphium terebinthinaceum), marsh blazing star

 

(Liatris spicata), pitcher plant (Sarracenia purpurea),

 

 

death camass (Zygadenus glaucus), bog asphodel

 

(Tofieldia glutinosa) and Cypripendium candidum; the

 

 

last three species are not found in the Brunke section.
The AMTRAK right-of—way site is one of the two known

localities in which shooting star (Dodecantheon meadia)

 

occurs in Michigan.

19

During the fall of 1978 this section of fen was

burned. Cypripedium had only a few flowers per clump

 

the spring before the burn; the following spring
there was an average of 15 flowers to as many as 52
flowers per clump. All the threatened and rare species
found in the McCoy Creek Natural Area fen are also
found in this fen.

The Brunke section can be divided into two zones,
the fen and aquatic plant zone. The fen has water
near the surface of the soil, but is rarely inundated.
The most frequently occurring plants (Table l) in
1978 werem spp. in 84% of the quadrats,

Eleocharis spp. in 50%, Thelypteris palustris in

 

 

43%, Solidago spp. in 42%, mountain mint

(Pycnanthemum virginianum) in 38% and bluejoint

 

(Calamagrostis canadensis) in 37% of the quadrats.

 

A more detailed analysis of the Brunke section fen
vegetation is included in the section of this thesis
dealing with the effects of a fall burn.

All of the threatened species in the other two
sections are in the Brunke section except

Cypripedium candidum.

 

Aquatic plant zone. The aquatic plant zone in the

 

Brunke section is partially inundated at varying

20

depths at all times of the year. In this portion of
the tract spring water collects before draining into
McCoy Creek. On the shallow margins

Eleocharis rostellata forms a thick mat. An oc-

 

casional stonewort (Chara sp.) and bladderwort

(Utricularia intermedia) are interspersed with the

 

Eleocharis. In the deeper water cattails

 

(Typha latifolia and I. angustifolia) and bulrush

 

 

(Scirpus acutus) surround the edge of the pool.

 

Farther out where the water is deep the blades of

pondweed (Potamogeton crispus) float at the surface

 

with Chara.

 

The ditch on the west and north boundary of the
Brunke section has patches of water-cress

(Nasturtium officinale), arrow-head

 

(Sagittaria latifolia), and bur-reed

 

(Sparganium eurycarpum). Apparent hydrids of

 

Typha angustifolia and I. latifolia occur in the

 

 

ditch.

21

METHODS

The composition of the vegetation in the fen was
analyzed by use of 68 0.5 m2 rectangular (l m x 0.5 m)
quadrats randomly located along 13 north-south transects.
The transects were 15 m apart and the quadrats were
situated at points determined from a random numbers
table. The data were stratified into two sets to cor-
relate with the fen and emergent-aquatic zone. Distinc-
tion between these two communities were based on the per-

centage cover of Eleocharis rostellata and Typha spp. If

 

either contributed over 30 percent to the total cover,
the quadrat vegetation was considered emergent-aquatic
and analyzed separately from the fen quadrat data.

The percentage leafy cover of the vascular species
in the quadrats were estimated in late June and August
1978. The quadrats were not permanent; each percentage
cover estimate was taken at a different random location.

Several of the large genera such as Aster, Carex, Eleocharis

 

 

and Solidago were identified only to genus.

On October 23, 1978, Bakertown Fen was burned in late
afternoon according to a burn plan developed by Arthur
Sutton of the Forest Fire Division, Michigan Department of
Natural Resources. A slight wind (approximately 8 km per
hour) blew from the southwest on the afternoon of the burn.

No significant amount of rainfall had occurred in the

22

preceding three weeks and there had been a killing frost
approximately seven days before the burn.

The City of Buchanan and Bertrand Township Fire
Departments supervised the burn and provided equipment.
Two volunteersequippednwith drip torches backburned the
northeastern boundary of the fen in a 3 m wide strip.

A stream of water from the pump cans stopped the fire

and prevented it from extending into the adjoining har-
vested corn field. Three fire engines were stationed be-
tween the fen and the field on the eastern boundary.
Starting in the northeasterly corner of the fen, east-
west strips were ignited 10 m from the fire. Each
successively ignited strip was located farther southwest
and burned with the wind to the previous strip. Fifteen
volunteers monitored the burn which lasted one hour,

4 pm. to 5 pm.

Frequency data and percentage cover were collected
again the year following the burn (1979) in late June
and August. The same technique was used as the previous
year with quadrats randomly located independent of their
position during the previous season. Ninety-one of the
161 plant species found in Bakertown Fen occurred in
quadrats during the two sampling years. When the before
and after burn were analyzed, only those species which
were recorded two or more times were quantitatively

analyzed (Table 1). Table l was constructed using the

23

highest frequency of species in June or August before
the burn compared to the highest frequency after the
burn. The percentage cover values per quadrat were
averaged for each year to ascertain if there was a
change.

Phenological data were obtained from twenty 0.5
meter2 quadrats (1.0 x 0.5) which were randomly spaced
in the Brunke Section of Bakertown Fen in 1978. Each
week from April until November the quadrats were sur-
veyed for nine phenological stages.

The species in Table 3 are arranged from the
earliest to begin growth in spring to the last plant
to senesce in fall. The steepness of the line between
phases represents the percentage of individuals in
that phase. For example, in mid-June approximately 80

percent of the Gentiana procera were beginning vegetative

 

growth. In August one-third of the Valeriana ciliata

 

were dispersing seeds, one-third senescing and another
third yellowing and dying.

The phenological stages, vegetative and reproductive
growth, flowering, fruit development, seed dispersal
senescence, yellowing and dying, bud expansion, leaf
loss and no vegetative growth were roughly defined as
follows. Vegetative and reproductive growth was defined
as new growth for the year. Individuals were scored as

flowering if the anthers or stigmas were exerted. Fruit

24

development was marked when the flower petals or parts
dropped and the ovary began to develop. Seed dispersal
was distinguished when the surrounding receptacle began
to dry or disintigrate making it easy to knock the
seeds out. Senescence was the first stage of the
herbaceous stems death for the year, the stems stopped
growth. Yellowing and dying was the next stage when
the leaves yellowed, began to drop off and eventually
the whole stem died back to the ground. The terms bud
expansion and leaf loss were only used for the shrub

Rhamnus frangula to describe the breaking of bud scales

 

and the senescence of deciduous leaves. No vegetative
or reproductive growth was a stage where the plant did
not seem to add biomass.

Six soil samples were taken in the A horizon in
the Brunke section. The percentage organic matter con-
tent of the soil was determined after burning dry soil‘
samples in a muffle furnace at 580° C for three hours

and cooling them to room temperature in a desiccatur.

25

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

EFFECT OF A FALL BURN
Shrubs
The following observations were madecnlshrubs such

as Rhamnus frangula (buck thorn), Cornus stolonifera

 

 

(red osier dogwood), Cornus obliqua (silky dogwood) and

 

Salix interior (sandbar willow) which were found in the

 

fen but did not occur in the quadrats. The onset of
shrub growth began in mid-June 1979 (post-burn) while

in 1978 it began in mid-May. The number of basal shoots
produced by Rhamnus in 1979 was nearly double the total
stems killed by the fire. The 1979 shrub sprouts grew
to'a height which was 1/3 shorter than the preburn
lengths of the 1978 stems.

The prolific sprouting of shrubs was studied by
Svedarsky and Buckley (1975) after a burn of an aspen-
prairie parkland in northwestern Minnesota. They found
the aspen parkland had to be burned every spring for
four years to reduce the aspen. The burn reported here
occurred when the shrubs were dormant and much of their
energy reserves were in root systems so they were partially
protected from the burn. At this time shrubs are not as
vulnerable to burning as when reserves aretranslocatedupward

during the "spring flush." A late May burn would probably

26

be more effective in killing unwanted shrubs, but even
then several successive annual burns might be needed to
eliminate them from the stand.

The shrubby perennials Hypericum kalmianum (Kalm's

 

St. John's wort) and Potentilla fruticosa showed a de—

 

crease in frequency and cover (see Table 1). Hypericum

 

dropped in percentage cover from 1.08 in spring of 1978
to zero in the spring of 1979, there was a similar drop
between fall 1978 and 1979. Mr. Brunke, the owner of the
fen, said Bakertown Fen burned regularly in the past.-
It might be expected that since this fen burned regularly,
the common species such as these two shrubby perennials

would not be adversely affected. Although H‘ypericummay appear

 

intolerant to burning its abundance is low and little can be con-

cluded from the sample data. Potentilla decreased only slightly

 

after the burn.

"Rare Species"
Of the rare species only Valeriana ciliata (valerian)

 

appeared in the quadrats. The other uncommon species,

Silphium integrifolium, Phlox maculata (spotted phlox),

 

Polemonium reptans (Jacob's ladder) and Rudbeckia sullivantii

 

 

(Sullivanti's brown-eyed susan), which have been designated
as "threatened" in Michigan (Wagner et a1. 1977) were

scattered throughout the fen. Valeriana showed a slight

 

increase in cover and frequency following the burn in

spring and a large increase in fall.

27

Common Species
Seventeen of the 41 species increased in percentage
cover after the burn. The largest increases in spring

occurred in Aster spp., Cacalia tuberosa, and

 

Viola cucullata. Similarly the greatest percentage

 

cover changes in fall were seen in Aster spp.,

Muhlenbergia glomerata, Oxypolis rigidior, Scirpus acutus,

 

 

 

Scirpus americanus, Solidago spp. and Sorghastrum nutans.

 

 

All of these were considered fen species by F005 (1974)

and with the exception of Sorghastrum nutans, are wet

 

prairie species.

Aster spp. increased in frequency after a burn in
Missouri prairies studied by Kucera (1979). Several burn
studies (Svedarsky and Buckley 1974, Hill and Pratt 1975)

indicate that the frequency of Andropogon increases after

 

burning; on the basis of literature reports, the effects

of burning on Sorghastrum are mixed. McMurphy and

 

Anderson (1965) reported that an unburned ungrazed series

of plots in Kansas produced more forage of Sorghastrum

 

than did the burned plots. However, Kucera and Ehrenreich

(1965) indicate that Sorghastrum increased in frequency

 

following a burn.
The largest decreases in percentage cover were noted

in Cardamine, Bromus, Rumex, Pedicularis, and Utricularia.

 

 

 

 

28

With the exception of Bromus which decreased hithe spring,
the above mentioned species did not occur in the spring
sample. Rather they decreased in the fall percentage
cover after the burn.

Another group,including species of Vernonia,

Glyceria, Impatiens, Liatris, Parnassia, Silphium and

 

 

 

Sphenopholis increased in the spring after the burn but

 

completely disappeared that following fall. Species

of Cirsium, Galium, Rudbeckia and Thelypteris showed an

 

 

 

increase after the burn in spring but decreased in the

fall. Some species such as Andropogon, Lysimachia and

 

 

Pycnanthemum which flower later in summer decreased in

 

spring after the burn, but showed an increase in fall of
1979.
One objectionable effect of the fall burn was a

percentage cover increase in Poa pratensis (Kentucky

 

bluegrass) during the spring. Ehrenreich and Aikman
(1963) report a decline in 233 frequency in response to
burning in mesic prairies. However, these burns occurred
in spring when P93 was beginning to flush, so the flower
heads were burned away. The Brunke Section fall burn
may have given 332 an advantage by reducing the
detritis which increased the light in spring.

The Brunke Section burn seemed to increase the

frequency of some grasses and forbs. Aldous (1934) and

29

others have reported that forbs increased hiabundance
while grasses decreased. The reverse was noted by
Kucera and Koelling (1964). The nature of the vegeta-
tion response to the burn in the Brunke Section could
have resulted from the time of the burn. Neither
grasses nor forbs were actively growing in the third
week of October. Burns conducted by other researchers
were mostly in spring when some cool season plants
had already begun active growth.

The average percentage cover per plot was signifi-
cantly higher after the burn. In 1978 the combined
average cover was 73.2 percent while in 1978 it was 90.4
percent. Prior to the burn, the percentage cover was
slightly higher in fall than spring, while the opposite
was true after the burn.

The onset of growth for everything but the shrubs
was two weeks earlier in 1979 after the removal of the
insulating litter by the burn than in 1978. Climatic
data indicates that 1978 and 1979 springs were relatively
similar in precipitation and temperature. This earlier
growth was consistent with data of Daubenmire (1968a)
and Vogl (1974) for mesic prairie sites. Their studies
have shown the growing season starting 1-3 weeks earlier,

largely due to the removal of litter accumulation. The

30

black layer of charcoal and ash and reduction of insulating
litter are thought to stimulate early growth by creating
warmer surface temperatures. By the third week in July,
the flowering phenology of the Brunke Section was in-
distinguishable from that observed in 1978. In some mesic
prairies (Ehrenreich and Aikman 1963) late season plants
bloom on schedule while in other prairies, plants in
burned areas lag behind the normal phenology throughout the
season (Daubenmire 1968a).

A profusion of flowering activity occurred after the
Brunke Section burn, a phenomenon corresponding to ob-
servations by Vogl (1974) for other areas. From casual

observations it seemed that in 1978 Andropogon and

 

Sorghastrum rarely had more than two inflorescences per

 

clump while in 1979 there was as many as fifteen per
clump. Similar results were observed with forb species.
'The profusion offlowering is thought by Vogl (1974) to be
a result of litter removal and perhaps the fertilizing
effect of the ash.

The average height of plants, with the exception of
the shrubs, seemed to increase about 10 percent after
the burn. Ehrenreich and Aikman (1963) observed a height
increase of 10-20 percent after a burn.

After the fire there was an increase in the number

of species found in the plots. The species in Table l

31

with zero (0) values were not found in 1978 but appeared
in 1979. The change can be attributed to species being
so depauperate as to be unobserved before the burn and
being released from competition by the fire or to the
location of the quadrats in another position. The "new
species" were native fen plants which grew vigorously
after the burn.

This study could have been improved by using randomly
located permanent plots which were sampled in the same
location three times before and three times after the
burn. A separate non-random plot should have been set
up around the shrubs and rare species to gain insight in
their response to the burn. It would also have been
desirable to identify to species members of the large

genera such as Aster, Carex, Eleocharis and Solidago.

 

32

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5H.o Hm.c o o o o c c macauwuosm manouxm
ac.o mm.c o o ca.o om.o a a cocoamm «Macao;
cm.o om.c o a a~.c m~.~ c a “Mafia; «MAonog
o a c a e~.c mm." a a auuoaam manna“;
5°.o om.o oo.c . o~.c -.e oe.~ c a mfluumafiam mspxguag
so.c 0.. oe.o a~.c a a n~.o ma.n .am mmmmmm
o c a c ao.o oe.o c o auofian mcawuamau
o o ~H.¢ ~o.o c o m~.c we.“ aaeawsdax snowuom»:
o c c a ao.o Nm.o c o auaupum awcouxww
c a we.o e¢.H o~.c ~e.n a c ofiaecoa aawfiao
no.0 no.c c c a c c c eawfiomflumsmca escoeaouam
e~.o no.“ a~.c ~m.a av.c co.m em.o co.c~ .eam mmwmmmmmwm
o o ac.o mn.c Nc.o ea.o c o 536M835 asfimuwu
ek.o mc.ma oa.c m~.~ aa.o oo.n em.o ~o.- .aam mmmmw
a c .~.° Nm.~ o c o o amonflsn oewsaeuau
so.c «4.: c~.c an.~ ¢~.o m~.~ an.o ov.n mameoeaeao maumocmasauao
.H.o ~a.~ o~.c ma.~ ~..c o~.o o a amouonsu aa~auao
c o . o e o o mfl.o oo.c mauafifiwu masocm
om.¢ ¢¢.m e~.o mn.~ ~v.o ~m.. -.c em.~ .eam mmmm¢
me.e c~.c~ c e ao.e Na.c a~.c c¢.m «anagram =omom¢ue=<
zocoscoum uo>oo » zucosaoum uo>ou » xucoscoum po>ou p zocozcoum uo>ou *
mam" “gem aha“ ”Ham mam“ mcwaqm «ammmwewcmw

 

.muOun wanna; use wocuanca coosuon moucouommwv xueoscoum can uo>ou moauoam

a oaaah

133

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ac.c Hm.o c o «H.o H~.~ oc.c o~.c auafifisusu «flow>
c a a o e~.o oo.~ a e aufiuammfis efi=o=p0>
o~.o mm.om mo.o oo.c o~.o fin.» c~.o «m.H «panama meawpofia>
o o ac.c mo.o o . c a o afieoseouew «Mumfisuwpua
no.o mm.c o c c~.c 5e.e c c «saunas eflsuofiwflup
nm.o mo.v en.o cc.m an.o oo.m nv.o mm.n mwuumsaun magnumxfioge
o o c o mo.o o~.c o o agvoeuoucw mfiamcmoaosmm
o~.o m~.q o c o c o a menus: ssuumammhom
em.c as.” cm.° an.” .m.e m~.m Ne.o om.. .aam mummmmmm
me.o Hh.e o a co.o em.o c o auaafioum annuafiflam
c a o c e~.e cm.m c c aafifiowfiuwmucw sangmfiam
ac.o No.” a o oH.c -.~ c o macauMuosu mzmuwum
mo.c he.“ . o o c o a a nausea mauufium
c o o~.o mm.“ c o c o mzumfisownuo xossm
Ac.o o~.o m~.c ea.c ao.c go.o o c any“: «fixucneaz
H~.o mm.” -.c as.” en.c nv.~ an.o «m.o~ sacawcwuufl> essogueazuxa
m~.c om.e e~.o co.HH vn.o eh.e Hm.c m~.o «meowusem afifiwucouoa
o o o a ac.c a~.a a c mwmmmmmmu mum
o c cc.o an.o c c o c muuuoouzmu mwuaqsufivom
c o o c -.o ~v.o o o ausafim awmmaepam
q~.o o~.~ e~.c mn.c o~.c mm.“ o c homewufiu mwfiomxxo
c~.c mm.“ o a m~.c ha.H a~.o we.c auauoeofim mumeuaaofigsz
a~.c Ha.~ c a a c -.c we.“ auawfifiu awguaswmxa
xueoacoum uo>om>b. sucoacohm uo>ou » aucoscohm uo>ou b xocoaaoum uo>ooxw
aamfl Hana camfi “Ham mama mencmw. mama wewumm

 

coacfiucou .H ofipah

34

PHENOLOGY

Phenology is the science of understanding the bio-
logical timing of events in relation to seasonal climatic
changes. The events include germination or initiation
of seasonal growth, leaf development, flowering, fruit-
ing, seed dispersal, senescence, and leaf fall or die-back.
Twenty-five of the most common herbaceous and one woody
species in the Brunke Section of Bakertown Fen were chosen
from the quadrat data to be diagrammed in Table 3. The
phenological diagramssfiunvthe range of individual dif-
ferences within a species throughout the season.

The 1978 growing season was typical for the area,
temperatures were only slightly above average and pre-
cipitation slightly below average. A killing frost ended
the 1978 growing season on October 19.

The first species to begin evident growth was

Symplocarpus foetidus in the third week of February.

 

During the first week of April Carex aquatilis and

 

Caltha palustris began to bolt. The first species to

 

flower were Caltha palustris and Valeriana ciliata. The

 

 

spring species including Deschampsia flexuosa,

 

Eleocharis rostellata and Triglochin maritima died back

 

 

 

beginning in early June when temperatures were high.

By mid-August the fruiting stems of these species have died.

35

The species with the longestfloweringperiod was

Potentilla fruticosa. From May to early October plants

 

of this species had all stages of flower development
from buds to seeds on different branches.

Few species flower in the fen in spring. This
contrasts with deciduous forest (Anderson and Hubricht
1940) where the bulk of flowering occurs in spring and
with bogs (Heinrich 1976) which have flowering spread
evenly throughout the season. In the Brunke Section of
Bakertown Fen flowering peaked in mid to late August.
This peak correlates most closely with the prairie
(Heinrich 1976) and old fields (Anderson and Hubricht
1940).

The wind pollinated species Andropogon gerardii,

 

Deschampsia flexuosa, Typha angustifolia,

 

 

Eleocharis rostellata, and Sorghastrum nutans had a shorter

 

 

floweringtfimmethan the insect pollinated species. Similar
observations were made by Rabinowitz et a1. (1981) on a
prairie in Missouri. The phenological curves (numbers

of flowering stems versus day of year) were narrower for
wind pollinated species than for insect pollinated species.
Flowering seemed to be synchronized more closely in the
grasses than in insect pollinated species. This may be a

result (Rabinowitz et a1. 1981) of selection to avoid

36

gametic loss by narrowing flowering times so alien
pollen would be less likely to obscure the stigmatic
surface. Wind pollinated species also may have greater
clonal growth and fewer genets allowing for smaller
deviations in flowering times.

Valeriana ciliata had the largest spread of seed

 

dispersal, senescence and die back phases. Individual

Valeriana plants in wet areas tended to be less seasonally

 

advanced in their phenology compared to those on drier
ground.

The last species to flower,Gentiana procera and

 

Aster lucidulus had a long flowering season and began

 

seed set soon after the frost.

37

Figure 4. Phenological Diagrams for Selected Fen

Species.
., - VR . vegetative &reproductive
Dru": I
— - FL - flowering
g a FD -- fruit development

N =- 80. a seed dispersal

- = SE = senescence
v--. I . . = Y0 =- yellownng & dying

Hllll
m = LL - leafless

BE 8 bud expansion

 

 

1:! a DD 2 no vegetative or reproductive growfl'l

38

Cirsium muticum

 

 

 

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90......
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Allium cernuum

 

Sarracenia purpurea

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39

 

  
  

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41

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42

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43

Sorghastrum nutans

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44

glauca

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Gentiana procera

 

 

 

45

COMPARISON WITH OTHER FENS

Because fens are defined on the basis of their
physical setting rather than species composition, the
species vary greatly in each geographic region. Curtis
(1959) explained the different species composition by
saying fens are a hybrid community with "...suitably
adapted species from each of the major formations..."
which were retained in the system. This difference in
regional flora should be evident in a comparison of fen
species and families. Table 2 was developed from F005
(1971) who compared nine other fens to the Resthaven
Wildlife Area near Castalia, Ohio. In Table 2 the data
for species from the Brunke Section of Bakertown Fen were
added to those provided by Foos.

The Brunke Section of Bakertown Fen most closely
resembles the Resthaven Wildlife Area in Ohio, the Bergen
Swamp (Muenscher 1946) in New York and the Cedar Bog
(Frederic 1964) in Ohio. Species in common include

Potentilla fruticosa, Gentiana procera and

 

 

Parnassia glauca which are indicators of calcareous condi-

 

tions. Resthaven Wildlife Area, Bergen Swamp and Cedar
Bog are on lake plain locations while Bakertown Fen is

in a glacial till plain.

46

Since Sodon Lake (Cain and Slater 1948) in Michigan
is the closest fen to the study area it might be expected
that the species composition would have the highest
degree of similarity. However, only 18 percent of the fen
species in the Sodon Lake fen were also in Bakertown Fen.
The difference may be a result of their respective set-
tings. Sodon Lake fen is one of the vegetation zones
around Sodon Lake while Bakertown Fen is on a glacial
outwash plain on the banks of a stream.

The Wisconsin Fens have only 16 percent of their
species in common with Bakertown Fen. These fens have
a greater percentage of western species at the edge of
their range in Wisconsin than does Bakertown Fen. How-
ever the percentage of fen species in the same family
is similar. Curtis (1959) found that the largest number
of fen species were in the following families: Asteraceae
(17.4%), Poaceae (8.7%), Lamiaceae (5.2%), Cyperaceae
(4.3%), Salicaceae (3.5%) and Rosaceae (3.5%). The six
largest families in the Brunke Section of Bakertown Fen
were the Poaceae (21.7%), Asteraceae (16.5%), Cyperaceae
_ (8.0%), Liliaceae (2.3%), Lamiaceae (2.3%), Scropulariaceae
(1.7%) and the Juncaceae (1.7%). In Wisconsin the
Salicaceae and Rosaceae are included among the six largest

families while in Bakertown Fen, the Liliaceae and Juncaceae

47

are among the largest. The composition of the fens
depends not only on the geographic region but also on

the physiography of the site.

48

 

um HH mowhfimpm 003 camcoumflz

 

.0 HH mweeeam axe; em>flem
mm .oa mcom camcoomwz
co m. mom meant:
mow ma oxmq :ooom
OHH we gave»: omemm
mum Hm oHo: oofim m.poHsz
omm om mom emcee
NmH on asmzm comhom
mum 0mm moe< wwwfioflfiz co>mcumom
xusum a“ mmowuoam mnav «ohm kuSpm
woumfia mofioomm :ofiuoom exaspm :0“:
we popes: Hmuoh :oEEou a“ mowuomm mo 0

 

.manmav moon kn wouwpmeesm meow new: meow ponuo one :ofiuoom
exampm m.:om czoueoxmm mo meon oz» coozpon mpHSmoe >030m cemwummEoo co wommm

N oHan

Checklist of Vascular Plants

The following checklist includes the vascular plants
found in the areas of Bakertown Fen from 1975-1980. All
the collection numbers are Kohring collections except the

Dodecantheon meadia collected by Leon Schaddelee,

 

Wolffia columbiana by Max Medley and Panicum implicatum by

 

 

Stephen Stephenson. The collections cited are deposited
in the Beal-Darlington Herbarium at Michigan State Univer-
sity. Nomenclature and family names, delimitations, and
order of presentation used here follow Voss (1972) for the
monocots and gymnosperms and Gleason and Cronquist (1968)
for the pteridophytes and angiosperms. Nomenclature for

Toxicodendron radicans follows that of Gillis (1971) and

 

for the species Rudbeckia sullivantii, nomenclature follows

 

that of Gray's Manual (1950).

The checklist contains 73 families, 233 genera and
302 species. The Asteraceae has 29 genera and 57 species,
the iPoaceae 30 genera and 39 species, the Cyperaceae 8
genera and 17 species, the Labiatae 9 genera and 10 species
and the Rosaceae 7 genera and 10 species. The largest genera
are Solidago with 8 species, Aster with 7, Carex with 6,

and Solanum, Panicum and Polygonum each with 5 species.

 

50

EQUISETOPHYTA (Horsetails)

EQUISETACEAE (Horsetail Family)
Equisetum arvense L. Horsetail. 412-78. Along railroad
right-of-way.

. hyemale L. Scouring rush. 2039-80. Common in fen.

. variegatum Schleich. HorsetaiI. 2037-80. Rare in
seepage area of Brunke Section.

”WU1

POLYPODIOPHYTA (Ferns)

OSMUNDACEAE (Royal Fern Family)
Osmunda cinnamomea L. Cinnamon fern. 405-78. Swamp
margin of McCoy Creek Natural Area, rare.
9. claytoniana L. Interrupted fern. 1075-80. Common in
moist woodland.
Q. regalis L. Royal fern. 1093-80. Rare along oak woods
margins of McCoy Creek Natural Area.

 

 

POLYPODIACEAE (Polypody Fern)
Onoclea sensibilis L. Sensitive fern. 1092-80. Common
in all low areas.
Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn. Bracken fern. 1087-80.
Common along railroad right-of-way.
Thelypteris palustris Schott. Marsh fern. 1036-79.
Common in low areas.

 

 

 

PINOPHYTA (Gymnosperms)

PINACEAE (Pine Family)
Larix laricina (DuRoi) K. Koch. Tamarack. 925-79.
Several trees on Co-op property:

 

MAGNOLIOPHYTA (Angiosperms)
MAGNOLIOPSIDA (Dicotyledons)
MAGNOLIIDAE

LAURACEAE (Laurel Family)
Sassafras albidum (Nutt.) Nees. Sassafras. 1082-80.
Common along railroad right-of-way.

 

RANUNCULACEAE (Crowfoot Family)
Anemone quinquefolia L. Wood anemone. 33-78. Rare along

margins of oak woods. Flowering in May.

A. virginiana L. Thimble flower. 1045-79, 819-78. Rare
in oak woodlands. Flowering in July.

Caltha palustris L. Marsh marigold. 324-78. Common on
creek edges. Flowering in May.

Ranunculus abortivus L. Small-flowered crowfoot. 330-78.
Common along railroad right-of-way. Flowering in May.

3. fascicularis Muhl. Early buttercup. 341-78. At edge
of oakaErest. Flowering in May.

 

 

 

 

 

Ranunculus septentrionalis Poir. Swamp buttercup. 416-78.
In McCoy Creek'Natural Area Fen. Flowering in June.

Thalictrum dasycarpum Fisch. G Avé-Lall. Meadow rue.
432-78. Common in McCoy Creek Natural Area. Flowering
in June.

 

 

HAMAMELIDAE

ULMACEAE (Elm Family)
Celtis occidentalis L. Hackberry. 2040-80. Rare in
upland oak association.
Ulmus rubra Muhl. Slippery elm. 1068-79. Common in
shrub-carr. Blooming in May.

 

 

MORACEAE (Mulberry Family)
Morus alba L. White mulberry. 2031-80. Common on field-
woods margins. Blooming in June.

 

URTICACEAE (Nettle Family)
Pilea pumila (L.) Gray. Clearweed. 2041-80. Common weed
of lowfield.
Urtica dioica L. Stinging nettle. 1051-79. Common
along railroad track.

 

 

JUGLANDACEAE (Walnut Family)
Carya glabra (Mill.) Sweet pignut. 868-78. Scattered
in oak forest.

 

FAGACEAE (Beech Family)
Quercus borealis Michx. f. Northern red oak. 2027-80,
1081-80. Scattered in oak upland.
Q. macrocarpa Michx. Bur-oak. 933-79. Rare along rail-
road right-of-way.

 

 

BETULACEAE (Hazel-nut Family)
Corylus americana Walt. Hazel-nut. 815-78, 325-78.
Common along railroad right-of-way hedges.

 

CARYOPHYLLIDAE

PHYTOLACCACEAE (Pokeweed Family)
Phytolacca americana L. Pokeweed. 1023-79. Common on
established’corncob dump. Flowering August-October.

 

NYCTAGINACEAE (Four-o'clock Family)
Mirabilis jalapa L. Four-o'clock. 1072-80. Rooted in
Cinders along railroad.

 

AIZOACEAE (Carpet-weed Family)
Mollu o verticillata L. Carpet-weed. 2024-80. Bottom
Iand plant at edge of disturbed field. Blooming in
June.

 

52

ONAGRACEAE (Evening-primrose Family)
Epilobium coloratum Biehler. Willow-herb. 879-78.
Occasional along McCoy Creek. Bloom in August.
Oenothera biennis L. Evening primrose. 1058-79. Common
along railroad tracks. Blooming in July.

 

 

 

CORNACEAE-(Dogwood)
Cornus obliqua Raf. Silky dogwood. 573-78. Along low areas
of‘raiIroad right-of-way.- Blooming in July.
9. racemosa Lam. Gray dogwood. 383-78, 1078-79. In fen
and shrub-carr. Flowering in June.
9. stolonifera Michx. Red-osier dogwood. 1078-78,
391-78. Common in fen. Blooming in July.

 

 

SANTALACEAE (Sandal-wood Family)
Comandra richardsonii Fern. Bastard toadflax. 400-78.
Rare along railroad right-of-way. Flowering in June.

 

AQUIFOLIACEAE (Holly Family)
Ilex verticillata (L.) Gray. Michigan holly. 889-78.
Rare in McCoy Creek Natural Area. Blooming in July.

 

EUPHORBIACEAE (Spurge Family)
Acalypha rhomboidea Raf. Three seeded mercury. 844-28.
Disturbed areas. Flowering in August.
Euphorbia corollata L. Flowering spurge. 572-28.
Abundant along railroad. Blooming in July.
‘E. maculata I.. Wartweed. 1086-80. In gravel along
railroa . Flowering May-August.

 

 

 

RHAMNACEAE (Buckthorn)
Ceanothus americanus L. New Jersey tea. 577-78. Several
shrubs along railroad. Blooming in June.
Rhamnus alnifolius L'Her. Buckthorn. 1074-80. Rare in
McCoy CreEk Natural Area.
R. fran ula L. Buckthorn. 913-79, 968-79. Common in
_ fen. Blooming in July.

 

 

 

VITACEAE (Grape Family)
Parthenocissus guinquefolia (L.) Planch. Virginia creeper.
926-78. In Co-op section and on railroad. Flowering hiJuly.
Vitis riparia Michx. Grape. 896-78. Climber on upland
trees. Blooming in June.

 

ACERACEAE (Maple Family)
Acer negundo L. Boxelder. 335-18. Occasional in
successional areas. Blooming in April.

 

ANACARDIACEAE (Cashew Family) g .4
Toxicodendron radicans sppt ne undo (grgepg) Gilljghfl Poison-
ivy. 2029-80. Rare along railroad tracks.
I. vernix Kfze. Poison sumac. 1071-80. Rare in McCoy
Creek Natural Area.

CARYOPHYLLACEAE (Pink Family)

Arenaria serpyllifolia L. Sandwort. 359-78. Weed of
railroad gravel. Blooming in May.

Lychnis alba Mill. White campion. 398-78, 1021-79.
Common around Co-op property.

Saponaria officinalis L. Bouncing bet. 927-79. Common
along road’sHOulder. Blooming in June. ‘

Silene antirrhina L. Catchfly. 2043-80. Rare in
disturbed areas.

Stellaria media (L.) Cyrill. Chickweed. 33-78. Along
right-of-way. Blooming in May.

 

 

 

 

 

CHENOPODIACEAE (Goosefoot Family)
Chenopodium album L. Lamb's quarters. 1022-79.
Abundant on corncobchnmp. Blooming June to September.

 

POLYGONACEAE (Smartweed Family)
Fagopyrum esculentum Moench. Buckwheat. 930-79, 2019-80.
Escape from cultivation on Co-op property.
Polygonum convolvulus L. Black bindweed. 2016-80. Common
in railroad gravel.
g. pensylvanicum L. Smartweed. 864-78, 1043-79.
Disturbedgmargins of field.
B. sagittatum L. Tearthumb. 872-78. Common in coarse
low field vegetation.
Rumex acetosella L. Red Sorrel. 351-78. Common on
disturbedICo-op property.
3. crispus L. Sour dock. 936-79. Abundant in Co-op
property.
orbiculatus Gray. Great water-dock. 886-78.
Occasional in standing ditch water.

 

 

 

 

”0

 

DILLENIIDAE

GUTTIFERAE (St. John's Wort Family)
Hypericum kalmianum L. Shrubby St. John's wort. 433-78.
Scatteredgfhrough the fen. Blooming in June.

 

MALVACEAE (Mallow Family)
Abutilon theoprasti Medic. Velvet-leaf. 1042-79. Common
on corncob dump. Blooming in September.

 

SARRACENIACEAE (Pitcher-plant Family)
Sarracenia purpurea L. Pitcher-plant. 408-78. Common
in fen. Blooming in June.

 

DROSERACEAE (Sundew Family)
Drosera rotundifolia L. Sundew. 953-79. Occasionally
among Sphagnum. Blooming in July.

 

54

VIOLACEAE (Violet Family)
Viola cucullata Ait. Blue marsh-violet. 347-78. Common
in flooded region. Flowering in May.

 

CUCURBITACEAE (Gourd Family)
Echinocystis lobata (Michx.) T. 6 G. Wild cucumber.
867-78, 955-79. Climbing over shrub-carr species.
Blooming in August.

SALICACEAE (Willow Family)

Populus deltoides Marsh. Cottonwood. 2014-80. Mature
trees along McCoy Creek.

Populus tremuloides Michx. Quaking aspen. 1044-79.
Upland component of shrub-carr.

Salix glaucophylloides Fern. Dune-willow. 893-78.
Component of fen.

S. humilis Marsh. Prairie willow. 322-78, 905-79.
Scattered along railroad right-of-way. Blooming in
April.

‘S. interior Rowlee. Sandbar-willow. 843-78, 556-78.
Most common willow along McCoy Creek.

 

CRUCIFERAE (Mustard Family)

Arabis lyrata L. Rock-cress. 337-78. Weed of sandy
gravel areas. Blooming in May.

Barbarea vulgaris R. Br. Yellow rocket. 352-78. Common.
Blooming in May.

Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medic. Shephard's purse.
355- 8. Plant of waste ground. Blooming in May.

Nasturtium officinale R. Br. Water cress. 390-28._
Common in ditch around Brunke SBCtiOH- Blooming in June.

Thlaspi arvense L. Penny-cress. 360-28. Weed of Co-op
property. Blooming in May

 

 

 

 

PRIMULACEAE (Primrose Family)

Dodecatheon meadia L. Shooting star. Schaddelee s.n.
Small clump along AMTRAK right-of-way.
Blooming in early June.

Lysimachia ciliata L. Loosestrife. 555-78. Common
in see age areas. Blooming in Jul .

L. quadri lora Sims. Loosestrife. 6 9-78, 1016-79.
Component of fen. Blooming in July.

 

 

ROSIDAE

SAXIFRAGACEAE (Saxifrage Family)
Parnassia glauca Raf. Grass-of-parnassus. 822-78,
981-79. Abundant in fen. Blooming in August.
Ribes americanum Mill. Wild black currant. 348-78.
Along railroad and Chamberlain Road. Blooming in
May.

 

 

55

Saxifraga pensylvanica L. Pennsylvania saxifrage.
395-78. Occasional in fen. Blooming in June.

 

ROSACEAE (Rose Family)

Agrimonia parviflora Ait. 850-78. Common in disturbed
low areas. Blooming in August.

Aronia prunifolia (Marsh.) Rehder. Chokeberry. 825-28.
Occasional offshrub-carr. Blooming in August.

Fragaria virginiana Duchesne. Strawberry. 330-78.
Along railroad right-of-way. Blooming in May.

Geum canadense Jacq. Avens. 2030-80. Weed of disturbed
low field.

Potentilla fruticosa L. Shrubby cinquefoil. 392-78,
969-79. Dominant in fen. Blooming June through
September.

3. norvegica L. Norway cinquefoil. 2044-80. Weed of
disturbed ground.

2. simplex Michx. Common cinquefoil. 895-78, 401-78.
Dry isturbed areas. Blooming in June.

Rosa carolina L. Rose. 56-78. Along railroad right
of-way. Blooming in July.

,5. palustris Marsh. Swamp rose. 922-79. Occasional in
fen and shrub-carr. Blooming in July.

Rubus flagellaris L. Northern dewberry. 2045-80. Along
railroadright-of-way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

LEGUMINOSAE (Bean Family)

Amphicarpa bracteata (L.) Fern. Hog-peanut. 881-28.
Climber on low shrubs and perennials. Blooming in
August.

Apios americana Medic. Ground-nut. 836-28. On
perennial vegetation. Blooming in August.

Desmodium canadense (L.) DC. Tick-trefoil. 812118,

Marsh component. Blooms in July.

Lathyrus palustris L. Marsh vetch. 437-78. Rare in fen.
Blooms in June.

Lupinus perennis L. Lupine. 403-78. Common in dry areas
along railroad. Blooms in June.

Melilotus alba Desr. White sweet clover. 571-78. In
gravel along railroad. Flowers in July.

M. officinalis (L.) Desr. Yellow sweet clover. 379-78.
Disturbed areas. Blooming in June.

Trifolium hybridum L. Alsike clover. 846-78. Weed in
Edisturbed areas. Flowering in June.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LYTHRACEAE (Loosestrife Family)
Decodon verticillatus (L.) Ell. Water-willow. 803-79,
940-79. One clump in standing water of Brunke section.
Blooming in July.

 

56

BALSAMINACEAE (Touch-me-not Family)
Impatiens biflora Walt. Jewel-weed. 2017-80. Common
in shaded areas of shrub-carr and along McCoy Creek.

 

UMBELLIFERAE (Parsley Family)

Cicuta bulbifera L. Water-hemlock. 434-78. Rare in
McCoy Creek Natural Area fen. Blooming in June.

Daucus carota L. Queen Anne's lace.‘ 928-70. Common in
disturbed areas. Blooming in July.

Osmorhiza claytoni (Michx. ) Clarke. Sweet cicely.

364- 78. Rare along margins of Brunke SBCtiOD-
Blooming in May.
Oxypolisn ri idior (L. ) Raf. Cowbane. 990-79. Common
owering in August.

Sanicula nmarilandica L. Black snakeroot. 418-78.
Common in wood areas of McCoy Creek Natural Area.
Flowering in June.

Zizia aurea (L.) Koch. Golden alexanders. 388-78.
Common in fen. Blooming in May.

ASTERALES

GENTIANACEAE (Gentian Family)
Gentiana procera Holm. Fringed gentian. 1030-79. 892-78.
Common in fen. Flowering in September and October.

 

APOCYNACEAE (Dogbane Family)
Apocynum androsaemifolium L. Dogbane. 2040-80. Along
railroadright-ofiway.
A. cannabinum L. Indian hemp. 2047-80. Along railroad
right-of-way.

 

ASCLEPIADACEAE (Milkweed Family)
Asclepias incarnata L. Swamp milkweed. 675-78,
Scattered throughout fen. Blooming in July.
A. syriaca L. Common milkweed. 1097-80. Along railroad
rig t of way. Blooming in July.
A. tuberosa L. Butterfly-weed. 917-79, 563-78. Common
in railroad prairie. Blooming in July.

 

 

 

SOLANACEAE (Nightshade Family)
Datura stramonium L. Jimson-weed. 954-79. Common on
corncob dump. Flowering in August.
Physalis hetergphylla Nees. Ground cherry. 1067-79.
Common on disturbed ground.
Solanum carolinense L. Horse-nettle. 2048-80. Scattered
throughout Co-op area.
8. dulcamara L. Bittersweet. 385- 78. Disturbed margins
of fen. Blooming June through October.
S. tuberosum L. Potato. 828- 78. Volunteers from
discard area. Flowering in August.

 

 

 

57

CONVOLVULACEAE (Morning-glory Family)
Convolvulus arvensis L. Field bindweed. 380-78. Common
in railroad ballast. Blooming in June.
9. sepium L. Hedge-bindweed. 413-78. Scattered through
en. Blooming in June.
Ipomea purpurea (L.) Roth. Common morning-glory.
2034-80. Escape from cultivation on Co-op property.

 

CUSCUTACEAE (Dodder Family)
Cuscuta gronovii Willd. Dodder. 2002-80. Common on
jewel-weed on Co-op property.

 

POLEMONIACEAE (Phlox Family)
Phlox maculata L. Spotted phlox. 575-78. Common in the
fen. Blooming in July.
2. pilosa L. Prairie phlox. 409-78. Scattered in
ra1 road prairie. Flowering in June.
Polemonium reptans L. Jacob's ladder. 565-78, 908-79.
Rare in fen. Blooming in July.

 

 

VERBENACEAE (Vervain Family)
Verbena hastata L. Swamp vervain. 808-78, 839-78. In
fen and along McCoy Creek. Blooming in July.

 

LABIATAE (Mint Family) ‘ .

Lamium purpureum L. Dead nettle. 342-78. In railroad
ballast. Blooming in May.

Lycopus rubellus Moench. Water-horehound. 876-78. In
McCoy Creek Natural Area. Blooming in August.

A. uniflorus Michx. Water-horehound. 865-78, 975-79,
1024-79. Common in fen. Blooming in August.

Mentha piperita L. Peppermint. 835-78. Escape from
cultivation on Co-op property. Blooming in August.

Monarda fistulosa L. Bergamot. 2033-80. Common along
railroad right-of-way.

Prunella vulgaris L. Self-heal. 797-78. Scattered
tHFOughout fEn. Blooming in July.

Nepeta cataria L. Catnip. 829-78, 568-78. Naturalized
along railroad right-of-way. Blooming in July.

Pycnanthemum virginianum (L.) Durand and Jackson.
Mountain mint. 980-79. Common in fen. Blooming in
August.

Scutellaria lateriflora L. Skullcap. 884-78. Rare in
ditEh.aroundlBrunke property.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCROPHULARIACEAE (Figwort Family)
Chaenorrhinum minus (L.) Lange. Snapdragon. 574-78.
In railroad ballast. Blooming in July.
Chelone glabra L. Turtlehead. 976-79, 949-79, 947-79.
Scattered throughout fen. Blooming in August.
Gerardia purpurea L. Gerardia. 1048-79, 1013-79, 973-79.

 

 

 

 

 

Only in McCoy Creek Natural Area fen. Blooming in
August and September.

58

Linaria vulgaris Hill. Butter-and-eggs. 2025-80. Common
along railroad right-of-way.

Pedicu1aris lanceOIata Michx. Swamp betony. 857-78,
970-79. Scattered throughout fen. Blooming in July
aid—Afigust.

Verbascum thapSus L. Mullein. 2018-80. Weed of
disturbed railroad right-of-way.

Veronicastrum virginiCUm (L.) Farw. Culver's root.
950-79. Rare 1n fen. Blooming in August.

 

BIGNONIACEAE (Trumpet Creeper Family)
Catalpa speCiosa Warder. Catalpa. 937-79. Escape from
cultivation on Co-op property. Blooming in August.

 

LENTIBULARIACEAE (Bladderwort Family)
Utricularia intermedia Hayne. Bladderwort. 378-78.
Common in the shallow pools of Brunke property.
Blooming in June.

 

CAMPANULACEAE (Harebell Family)

Campanula aparinoides Pursh. Marshbell flower. 685-28.
Common on Brunke fen. Blooming in June.

Lobelia kalmii L. Kalm's lobelia. 798-78, 823-78. 98_-
10, 1017-79. Common in fen and along McCoy Creek.
Blooming in July and August.

A. 51 hilitica L. Great blue lobelia. ’858-78, 985-79,
971-79. Common along margins of Brunke ditch and
McCoy Creek. Blooming in August.

 

RUBIACEAE (Madder Family)
Galium aparine L. Cleavers. 2049-80. Common in shaded
uplandlwoods.
g. asprellum Michx. Rough bedstraw. 2050-80.
Occasional in wooded areas.

 

 

g. boreale L. Northern bedstraw. 438-78. Common in fen.
Flowering in June.
g. triflorum Michx. Bedstraw. 802-78. Along margins of

 

ditch around Brunke property. Blooming in July.

CAPRIFOLIACEAE (Honeysuckle Family)

Lonicera tatarica L. Tartarian honeysuckle. 897-78,
904-79. Escape from cultivation along margins of
oak forest. Blooming in June.

Sambucus canadensis L. Common elder. 569-78, 1052-79.
Common EIOng railroad right-of-way and a few plants in
Brunke fen. Blooming in July.

Viburnum lentagg L. Nannyberry. 1077-80. Common in
upland.

V. o ulus L. High-bush cranberry. 2051-80. Escape from
cult1vation on Co-op property.

 

59

VALERIANACEAE (Valerian Family)
Valeriana ciliata T. G G. Valerian. 386-78. Common in
fen. Blooming in June.

 

COMPOSITAE (Composite Family)

Achillea millefolium L. Yarrow. 399-78. Common along

railroad. Blooming in June.

Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. Ragweed. 826-78. Common on

Co-op property and along road. Blooming in August.

A. trifida L. Giant ragweed. 2052;80. Common on

corncob dumps.

Anthemis cotula L. Chamomile. 397-78. Escape from

cultivation on Co-op property. Blooming in June.

Arctium minus Schk. Burdock. Common in old field areas

of Co-op property.

Aster jgnciformis Rydb. Rush aster. 002-20. In Brunke
fen. Blooming in August. ‘
lucidulus (Gray) Wieg. Swamp aster. 880-78, 1037-79.
Common in upland areas of fen. Blooming in August.
novae-an liae L. New England aster. 2054-80. Rare
in Brunke en. Blooming in August and September.

atens Ait. Late purple aster. 1039-79, 1056-79.
Scattered throughout fen. Blooming in September.
puniceus L. Swamp aster. 883-78, 1036-79. Common in
fen. Blooming in August.
sim lex Willd. Panicled aster. 894-79. Scattered
throughout fen. Blooming in September.
vimineus Lam. Small white aster. 851-78, 948-79.
Common in fen. Blooming in August.
(Bidens coronata (L. ) Britt. Beggar- ticks. . 885- 78,

1032- 79. Common in ditch around Brunke property.
Blooming in August.

'3"

 

|3> I? I?

 

'5" '?

 

III!

wet areas. Blooming in September. .

B. vulgata Greene. Beggar-ticks. 841-78. In disturbed
areas of McCoy Creek Natural Area. Blooming in August
and September.

Cacalia atriplicifolia L Indian plantain. 817-78.
Rare along AMTRAK right- -of- -way. Blooming in July.

9. tuberosa Nutt. Indian plantain. 567-78, 910-79.
Dominant in fen. Blooming in July.

Centaurea maculosa Lam. Knapweed. 2022-80. Weed of
Co-op property.

Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. Canada thistle. 900-20.

ee on Co- op property. Blooming in July.

C. muticum Michx. Swamp thistle. 978-79. Throughout

en esp. along muskrat trails. Blooming in August.

vul are (Savi) Tenore. Bull thistle. 2008-80. Weed
of road shoulder and Co-op property.
Coreopsis tripteris L. Tall coreopsis. 962-79. Common
along railroad right-of-way. Blooming in August.
Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers. Daisy fleabane. 380-28.
Rare in fen. Blooming in June.

frondosa L. Beggar- ticks. 1059-79. Weed of disturbed

60

Erigeron strigosus Muhl. Daisy fleabane. 842-78.
Common in disturbed areas.

Eupatorium maculatum L. Joe-pye weed. 984-79. Common
in fen and sedge meadow. Blooming in August and
September.

. perfoliatum L. Boneset. 952-79, 1019-79. Common in
fen and sedge meadow. Blooming in July and August.

g. purpureum L. Joe-pye weed. 033-28. Common on Co-op

property.

Helianthus divaricatus L. Woodland sunflower. 813:18.
Common on woodland margins. Blooming in July.

fl. giganteus L. Saw-toothed sunflower. 831-78, 1028-79.
Rare in fen and sedge meadow. Blooming in July and
August.

fl. occidentalis Riddell. Western sunflower. 820-78.

In patches along railroad right-of-way. Blooming in
July.

Heliopsis helianthoides (L.) Sweet. Ox-eye. 578-70. In
patches along railroad right-of-way. Blooming in July.

Kri ia biflora (Walt.) Blake. Dwarf dandelion. 414-70.
§n McCoy Creek Natural Area.

Lactuca saligna L. Lettuce 1046-79. Weed of disturbed
areas. Blooming in August. '

Liatris spicata (L.) Willd. Marsh blazing star. 963-79,
814-78. Common in McCoy Creek Natural Area Fen, rare
on Brunke Property. Blooming in August.

Ratibida pinnata (Vent.) Barnh. Coneflower. 1000-20.
Common on railroad right-of-way.

Rudbeckia fulgida Ait. Black-eyed susan. 830-78.

Escape from cultivation. Blooming in August.

3. hirta L. Brown-eyed susan. 946-79. Common in fen

and railroad right-of-way. Blooming in August.

 

IlTJ

 

3. laciniata L. Golden glow. 958-79. Moist
woodlandvmargins. Blooming in August.
3. sullivantii Showy.black-eyed susan. 801-28. Rare in

 

fen. Blooming in August and September.

Senecio pauperculus Michx. Squaw-weed. 181;18. Common
in McCoy Creek Natural Area fen. Blooming in June.
Silphium integrifolium Michx. Rosin-weed. 960-79, 676-
18. Common in fen. Blooming in July and August.

S. terebinthinaceum Jacq. Prairie dock. 000;Z0. Rare
in Brunke section and abundant in McCoy Creek Natural
Area fen. Blooming in August.

Solidago canadensis L. Canada goldenrod. 852-78,
1038-79, 977-79. Common along upland margins of the
fen. Blooming in August and September.

S. graminifolia (L.) Salisb. Grass-leaved goldenrod.
851-78, 1035-79. Rare along railroad tracks. Blooming
in August and September.

§. juncea Ait. Early goldenrod. 818:18, Margins of
oa orest. Blooming in July.

 

 

61

Solidago ohioensis Riddell. Ohio goldenrod. 858-78,
1030-79, 972-79. Common in fen. Blooming in August.

g. r1ddellii Frank. Riddell's goldenrod. 1025-79.
Common in fen. Blooming in September.

S. ru osa Mill. Rough-stemmed goldenrod. Rare in fen.

‘E. u11g1nosa Nutt. Bog goldenrod. 856-78, 1040-79.
Common in fen.

Sonchus uli inosus Bieb. Sow-thistle. 866-78. Weed of
disturbe areas. Blooming in August.

Taraxacum officinale Weber. Dandelion. 331-78. Common
along railroad. Blooming throughout summer.

Vernonia missurica Raf. Ironweed. 965-79. Common in
upland margins of the fen.

Xanthium strumarium L. Cocklebur. 871-78. Common on
margins of cultivated field. Blooming in August.

 

 

 

LILIOPSIDA (MonocotS)
» ALISMATALES

ALISMATACEAE (Water-plantain Family)
Alisma plantago-aquatica L. Water-plantain. 025118.
In ditch around Brunke property.
Sagittaria latifolia Willd. Arrowhead. 000;10. Common
in ditch.

JUNCAGINACEAE (Arrow-grass Family)
Triglochin maritimum L. Arrow-grass. 4A5;18. Common
1n standing water of the fen. Flowering in May.

POTAMOGETONACEAE (Pondweed Family)
Potamogeton crispus L. Pondweed. 2004-00. In standing
water on Brunke section. ,
P. gramineus L. Pondweed. 2010-00. In McCoy Creek.

 

 

COMMELINIDAE

COMMELINACEAE (Spiderwort Family)
Tradescantia ohiensis Raf. Spiderwort. 1062-79.
Common along railroad right-of-way. Blooms in June.

JUNCACEAE (Rush Family)

Juncus acuminatus Michaux. 838-78, 860-78. Common in

moist areas.

1. brachycarpus Engelm. 941-79. Scattered throughout
low areas.
greenei Cakes & Tuckerman 862-78. Sandy soil of
Co-op property. .
tenuis Willd. Path Rush. 2056-80. In driveway of
Co-op property.
Luzula multiflora (Retz.) Lej. Wood Rush. 411-78.

Occasional in oak woods.

 

 

IL. lC-a

62

CYPERACEAE (Sedge Family)
Carex aquatilis Wahl. 446-78. Common in fen.
canescens L. 638-78. Scattered throughout the fen.
cristatella Britt. 686-78. Scattered throughout fen.
hystericina Willd. 000-20, 015:1fi. Common in fen.
. pensylvanica Lam. Common in dry prairie and oak woods.
. rairea Dewey. 320-20. Common along railroad
r1gHt-of-way.
Cladium mariscoides (Muhl.) Torr. Twig-rush. 684-70.
Scattered in standing water of the fen.
Cyperus rivularis Kunth. Nut-grass. 878-78. Along
margins of cultivated field.
E. strigosus L. Nut-grass. 848-78. Common along low
margins of the field.
Eleocharis rostellata Torrey. Spike-rush. 440-20.
Dominant rush in standing water. Flowering in May.
Eriophorum an ustifolium Honck. Cotton-grass. 301:18.
_Scattere 1n low areas of the fen.
Rhynchospora capillacea Torrey. Beak-rush. 102Q119.
Common.in fen discharge area. -
§girpus acutus Bigelow. Hardstem Bulrush. 418-78.
Common in standing water of the fen.
§. americanus Pers. Threesquare. 919-79, 1027-79.
Scattered in highest area of fen.
atrovirens Willd. 2058-80. Component of Co-op marsh.
cyperinus (L.) Kuntfi. Wool-grass. 837-78. Abundant
along MCCoy Creek.
validus Vahl. Softstem Bulrush. 2059-80. Along
McCoy Creek.

 

 

Inlfilffilfilf?

 

 

'E” '5’"?

GRAMINEAE . (Grass Family)

Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv. Quack grass. 932-79.
Common along roadside and Co-op property.

Agrostis gigantea Roth. RedtOp. 667-78. Common
along the roadshoulder.

Andropogon gerardii Vitman. Big bluestem. 957-79.
Common in fen and along railroad right-of-way.
Flowering in August.

A. scoparius Michx. Little b1uestem.. 1055-79. Common

- along railroad tracks.

Avena sativa L.' Oats. 935-79. Escape from cultivation.

Bromus inermis Leysser. Smooth brome. 931-79. Common
along roads. Flowering in May-June.

B. ciliatus L. Fringed brome. 558-78. Component of

_ fen. Blooming in June-July.

Calamagrostis canadensis (Michaux) Beauv. Blue-joint.
914-79. Common in wettest area of fen.

Dactylis glomerata L. Orchard grass. 912-70. Common
in Co-op area and along roadway. Flowering from
June-September.

Deschampsia cespitosa (L.) Beauv. Hair grass. 402;Z0.
Scattered alongiMcCoy Creek.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

63

Echinochloa muricata (Beauv.) Fern. Barnyard grass.
854-78. Common on edges of cornfield.

Elymus canadensis L. Canada wild rye. 1053-79. Along
Chamberlain Road.

Eragrostis frankii Steudel. Love grass. 840-78. Common
on margins of field. -

S. pectinacea (Michaux) Nees. Love grass. 1057-79.
Common along sandy roadshoulders.

Gl ceria striata (Lam.) Hitchc. Fowl manna grass.
923-79. Rare in fen.

Hierchloe gdorata (L.) Beauv. Sweet grass. 340-78.
Rare in fen.

Holcus lanatus L. Velvet grass. 443-79. Along margins
of plowed field.

Hordeum vul are L. Barley. 381-78. Escape from
cultivat1on on Co-op property.

Leersia virginica Willd. White grass. 882-78, 1014-79.
Common in ditch around Brunke property.

,Lolium perenne L. Ryegrass. 2060-80. Common roadshoulder
weed.

Muhlenbergig frondosa (Poiret) Fern. Muhly. ,870-78,
1061-79. In disturbed low areas.

M. glomerata (Willd.) Trin. Marsh wild-timothy.
944-79. Component of fen vegetation.

Panicum capillare L. Witch grass. 845-78. On disturbed
soil.

2. gichotomiflorum_Michaux. 853-20. Common in soybean

ields.

implicatum Britton. Stephenson S.N. In

Brunke section of fen.

oligosanthes Schultes. 404-20. Scattered through dry

prairie along the railroad right-of-way.

virgatum L. Switch grass. 2035-00. Common along

right-of-way.

Phalarls arund1nacea L. Reed canary grass. 384-78.
Common in low areas on Co-op property.

Phragmites australis (Cav.) Steudel. Reed. 2036-80.
Rare in McCoy Creek Natural Area.

Phleum pratense L. Timothy. 410-78. Common along
roadshoulder and Co-op property.

Poa compressa L. Canada bluegrass. 911-78. Common in
oak woods along road shoulder.

B. pratensis L. Kentucky bluegrass. 2061-80. Occasional
component of fen.

Setaria faberi Herrm. Giant foxtail. 859-78, 827-78.
Common on Co-op property.

S. viridis (L.) Beauv. Green foxtail. 576-78. Along
ra1lroad right-of-way.

Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash. Indian grass. 877-78,
945-79. Common in fen. Flowering in August.

Spartina pectinata Link. Cordgrass. 562-78. Along
railroad right-of-way.

 

 

 

 

 

I’d

I’U

 

I'U

 

64

Sphenopholis intermedia (Rydb.) Rydb. Wedgegrass.
6-76. Scattered throughout the fen.

Tridens flavus (L.) Hitchc. Purpletop. 1020-79.
Common along roadshoulder.

 

 

SPARGANIACEAE (Bur-reed Family)
Spagganium eurycarpum Engelm. Bur-reed. 807-78. In ‘
1tch on Brunke property. Flowering in August.

 

TYPHACEAE (Cat-tail Family)
Typha angustifolia L. Narrow-leaved cat-tail. 1080-00,
982-79. COmmon in flooded areas. Flowering in July.
I. latifolia L. Broad-leaved cat-tail. 2002-80.
Common in flooded areas. Flowering in July.

 

 

ARECIDAB

ARACEAE (Arum Family)

Acorus calamus L. Sweet-flag. 559-78. In ditch on
Co-op property.

Peltandra virginica (L.) Schott 6 Endl. Arrow-arum.
560-78. In ditch around Brunke.

Symplocarpus foetidus (L.) Nutt. Skunk-cabbage.
326-78. Scattered throughout low areas. Flowering
in April.

 

 

 

LEMNACEAE (Duckweed Family)
Lemna minor L. Duckweed. 921-79. Common in still
waters.
Wolffia columbiana Karsten. Water-meal. Max Medley
S-n- In ditch on west side of Bakertown Road.

 

 

LILIIDAE

LILIACEAE (Lily Family)

Allium cernuum Roth. Nodding wild onion. Z00;10, 010-
iZ0. Scattered throughout high areas of the fen.
Hypoxis hirsuta (L.) Cov. Star-grass. 311;Z&. Occa-

sional along railroad right-of-way.

Lilium michiganense Farw. Michigan Lily. 2063;30, Few

clumps in McCoy Creek Natural Area.

Smilacina stellata (L.) Desf. Starry false solomon's

564-78. Common on high ground in the fen.

Tofieldia glutinosa (Michx.) Pers. False asphodel.
047-78. Oniy in McCoy Creek Natural Area fen.
Zigadenus glaucus (Nutt.) Nutt. Death camas. 010;10,

1047;10. Only in McCoy Creek Natural Area Fen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IRIDACEAE (Iris Family) ,
Iris virginica L. Southern blue flag. 121:13. In
ditchiand low areas of Brunke sect1on.
Sisyrinchium albidum Raf. Blue-eyed-grass. AQQLZfi. In
prairie along railroad right-of-way.

 

 

6S

ORCHIDACEAE (Orchid Family)
Calopggon tuberosus (L.) BSP. Grass-pink. 407-78.
Rare in McCoy Creek Natural Area.
Cypripedium candidum Willd. White lady-slipper. _0];
ZS, Abundant in McCoy Creek Natural Area.
Po onia o hio lossoides (L.) Ker. Rose pogonia.
55 -78. ccasional in McCoy Creek Natural Area.

Spiranthes cernua (L.) Rich. Nodding ladies'-tresses.
875-78. Abundant in the fens.

 

 

66

CONCLUSIONS

Bakertown Fen in southwestern Michigan was studied
to determine the species composition, similarity to
other fens, phenology and the effect of a fall burn.
The study area was surveyed during the summers of 1978-
1980. Three hundred and two taxa were observed in the
entire study area. The largest of the 73 families of
vascular plants found in Bakertown Fen were the
Compositae and Gramineae.

The three fens in the Bakertown area are on the
banks of McCoy Creek. All three have a continuous flow
of spring water which has percolated through glacial
till of the Valparaiso Moraine. As Bakertown Fen lies
within the prairie peninsula, there are prairie species
in addition to calceophiles, nonericaceous shrubs and
wetland species.

In species composition, Bakertown Fen resembles
most closely Resthaven Wildlife Area in Ohio, Bergen
Swamp in New York and Cedar Bog in Ohio. All three areas
are on the edges of lakes, unlike the Bakertown Fens
which are on the banks of McCoy Creek. Among the other
fens, however, only Resthaven Wildlife Area is within

the prairie peninsula.

67

The phenology was observed for 25 of the common
herbaceous and one woody species. The first plants to

flower were Symplocarpus foetidus during late February.

 

Potentilla fruticosa had the longest blooming season.

 

 

The wind pollinated species had a shorter flowering time
than the insect pollinated species.

The fall burn after the frost seemed to affect many
species in 1979. There was an overall increase in the
average percentage cover per plot, the number of species
flowering and an earlier flowering time. Many wet meadow
and mesic prairie species seemed to increase in frequency
and percentage cover after the burn. The early spring

grasses decreased with the exception of Poa pratensis

 

which increased in frequency and percentage cover in
spring. The summer grasses increased in frequency and
percentage cover. Shrub species were burned to ground
level but resprouted prolifically. Among the species

which decreased in frequency in 1979 were Calamagrostis

 

canadensis, Bromus ciliatus, and Rumex orbiculatus.

 

 

 

Species listed as "threatened" did not seem adversely
affected by the burn.

Onset of growth was earlier for all species except
the shrubs. In general, burning of the fen increased

with zero (0) values were not found in 1978 but appeared

68

in 1979. The change can be attributed to species being
so depauperate as to be unobserved before the burn and
being released from competition by the fire or, to, the
location of the quadrats in another position. The "new
species” were native fen plants which grew vigorously
after the burn.

Several additional studies have been undertaken at
Bakertown Fen. Information on the exact chemical
composition of the water would be interesting. A por-
tion of Bakertown Fen could be burned for three or four
years in a row to determine whether the shrub frequency
could be reduced. Other studies on the life history of
the state threatened plants could readily be undertaken

at Bakertown Fen.

69

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