Meaghan Petix & Alan Abbott
On April 19th, KNPS partnered with the Red River Gorge Climbers Coalition for a botanical hike of their Miller Fork property in Lee County. Approximately 20 members of KNPS and RRGCC were guided by Dan and Judie Dourson, the authors of the book Wildflowers and Ferns of the Red River Gorge and Greater Red River Basin.
The hike began along the banks of Hell Creek, where there was a striking display of spring wildflowers, including Red Trillium (Trillium erectum), Dwarf Crested Iris (Iris cristata), Showy Orchis (Galearis spectabilis), Creeping Foamflower (Tirella stolonifera), and Buffalo Nut (Pyrularia pubera). Canada Lily (Lilium canadense) was emerging.
(Tirella stolonifera)
The group then followed a trail into an enchanting rock garden before stopping along a sandstone cliff line to discuss its fragile ecosystem, which harbors many specialized plants and animals. The exposed rock was adorned with vivid crustose lichens. Dan Dourson spotted a Green Salamander (Aneides aeneus) nestled in a rock crevice.
KNPS is funding the reprinting of Wildflowers and Ferns of the Red River Gorge and Greater Red River Basin.
Meaghan Petix is the Volunteer Coordinator of the Kentucky Native Plant Society. Alan Abbott is Field Trips Coordinator of the Kentucky Native Plant Society.