“But for all the botanical diversity these mountains are renowned for, there are roughly twice as many known species of local fungi as there are plants.”
Author: Tal Galton
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Soul medicine: The green splendor of rich cove forests
“Appalachian rich coves are among the most diverse plant communities in North America, home to three times as many rare plant species as are found in other forest types.”
Lifting the green veil to overcome plant blindness
“As a culture, we suffer from plant blindness, largely ignoring the green organisms all around us that spend their days quietly gathering sunlight.”
The cloud forest in our backyard
“If you drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway, hike in Pisgah National Forest or on the Appalachian Trail, visit Mount Mitchell or the high elevations of the Smokies, you will find yourself in this forest, and you should know how singular it is.”
Little miracles: Look now for spring ephemeral wildflowers
“In April, a lush carpet of green emerges from the forest floor, and an astonishing array of flowers opens to the bright sunshine.”
Appalachian orchids: hidden gems of the mountain forests
” We are learning that many plant species in the forest, from trees to orchids, plug into the underground network of fungi for supplemental nutrition and for a means of communication. … The orchids of the Blue Ridge are a window into this underground network of fungi-plant relationships.”
Magical fireflies of the Southern Appalachians
“Let their mysterious glow enchant you. And as you enjoy the spectacle, learn to think like a firefly: Imagine that every artificial light interferes with your ability to serenade a mate. Make friends with the darkness.”