1. The Search for Linnaea borealis The Story of Expedition 2 July 16-19, 2008

2. The background… We are seeking to rediscover Linnaea borealis in Tennessee, seen for the first and last time on August 11, 1892 (by Albert Ruth)We are seeking to rediscover Linnaea borealis in Tennessee, seen for the first and last time on August 11, 1892 (by Albert Ruth) The next two slides were also included in our 2006 report: a picture of Linnaea and two pictures of the original specimen at the University of Tennessee HerbariumThe next two slides were also included in our 2006 report: a picture of Linnaea and two pictures of the original specimen at the University of Tennessee Herbarium The story is also told in Peter White’s 1981 article “Looking for Linnaea” published in The Tennessee Conservationist and transcribed on the web site of the UNC Herbarium, which also carries the full 2006 ppt report: to find the article and powerpoint, scroll down from on the Albert Ruth page: herbarium.unc.edu/Collectors/RUTH_Albert.htmThe story is also told in Peter White’s 1981 article “Looking for Linnaea” published in The Tennessee Conservationist and transcribed on the web site of the UNC Herbarium, which also carries the full 2006 ppt report: to find the article and powerpoint, scroll down from on the Albert Ruth page: herbarium.unc.edu/Collectors/RUTH_Albert.htm

3. Linnaea borealis, Twinflower Linnaea borealis

4. Linnaea in Tennessee First & last observation Sevier County “in Mountain woods” Albert Ruth August 11, 1892

5. The preparation… Old maps: Where was Ruth in 1892? Where did roads penetrate the high elevations in Sevier County, Tennessee?Old maps: Where was Ruth in 1892? Where did roads penetrate the high elevations in Sevier County, Tennessee? Answer: 2 places, (1) vicinity of Newfound Gap Road but crossing mts at Indian Gap AND (2) road along Porters Creek from the thriving Greenbrier Community…the road becoming a trail up and over the stateline ridge near Dry Sluice Gap…or maybe Porter’s Gap…the 1893 map is hard to overlay on modern maps…there is also a 1934 map (see 2006 powerpoint) showing the path more clearly in Dry Sluice GapAnswer: 2 places, (1) vicinity of Newfound Gap Road but crossing mts at Indian Gap AND (2) road along Porters Creek from the thriving Greenbrier Community…the road becoming a trail up and over the stateline ridge near Dry Sluice Gap…or maybe Porter’s Gap…the 1893 map is hard to overlay on modern maps…there is also a 1934 map (see 2006 powerpoint) showing the path more clearly in Dry Sluice Gap

6. 2008 Targets This year, we target the AT between Charlies Bunion and False Gap (this area includes Porters Gap and Dry Sluice Gap) because the path over the mountains crossed above Greenbrier somewhere in this areaThis year, we target the AT between Charlies Bunion and False Gap (this area includes Porters Gap and Dry Sluice Gap) because the path over the mountains crossed above Greenbrier somewhere in this area We also target the steep slopes below the area of Dry Sluice Gap, but also closer to Charlies Bunion, working from the high ridge towards the spot we reached from the bottom in 2006We also target the steep slopes below the area of Dry Sluice Gap, but also closer to Charlies Bunion, working from the high ridge towards the spot we reached from the bottom in 2006

7. 2008 Targets These two targets reflect two scenarios:These two targets reflect two scenarios: –1. We can refind the plant by refinding Albert Ruth’s likely route based on trails that gave him access to high elevations in 1892 (supporting our search near the AT from Charlies Bunion to False Gap) –2. Albert Ruth might have started out on trails, but then would’ve sought places to hunt by habitat—and the steep N facing slopes are exciting rare plant and northern spp habitat (Slopes near Charlies Bunion) he would’ve found his way to

8. This year we keep a daily log of our locations and observations So this ppt is an abstract of a more detailed record

9. Peter, Keith, Chris, Julie after hiking out to Newfound Gap on July 19 th

10. We almost leave important things behind at the new Park Science Center dedicated in honor and memory of Park naturalist Arthur Stupka Note from Keith

11. Itinerary: Ice Water Springs Shelter on July 16 th Botanizing between Charlies Bunion and False Gap Pecks Corner Shelter on July 17 th Botanizing between False Gap and Charlies Bunion Ice Water Springs Shelter on July 18 th Botanizing slope E of Charlies Bunion on July 19 th

12. Purple dots are Peter’s GPS pts on Porters Creek Manway from 2006 Red dots are Peter and Julie’s GPS pts from 2008 New Paper Birch Population, perhaps southern-most in North America

13. Enlargement of previous map showing 2008 (red dots) and 2006 (purple dots) in steep rocky ravines East of Charlie’s Bunion

14. BUT Where precisely IS Charlies Bunion? We have always assumed that Charlies Bunion was the prominent open rock knob that is accessed by a spur trail from the Appalachian Trail.We have always assumed that Charlies Bunion was the prominent open rock knob that is accessed by a spur trail from the Appalachian Trail. When you examine USGS maps, however, you see that Charlies Bunion is labeled to the East of the eastern most point where this spur trail hits the AT.When you examine USGS maps, however, you see that Charlies Bunion is labeled to the East of the eastern most point where this spur trail hits the AT. We are going to assume the map label is wrong, so when we talk about the first unofficial trail E of Charlies Bunion—that is the slope with the new paper birch population we discovered.We are going to assume the map label is wrong, so when we talk about the first unofficial trail E of Charlies Bunion—that is the slope with the new paper birch population we discovered. And our 2009 plan is to hike down past the paper birch on this slope and cross to the Lester Prong valley and hike back up W of the rocky knob with the spur trail.And our 2009 plan is to hike down past the paper birch on this slope and cross to the Lester Prong valley and hike back up W of the rocky knob with the spur trail. The USGS map and the label in Google Maps puts Charlies Bunion E, not W of the paper birch and suggests that our 2006 expedition up Porter Creek is on the OTHER side of Charlies Bunion from our 2008 paper birch valleyThe USGS map and the label in Google Maps puts Charlies Bunion E, not W of the paper birch and suggests that our 2006 expedition up Porter Creek is on the OTHER side of Charlies Bunion from our 2008 paper birch valley IF SO, this means the spur trail we always thought went to Charlies Bunion actually is on some other knob.IF SO, this means the spur trail we always thought went to Charlies Bunion actually is on some other knob. GIVEN how prominent the trail and knob are, however, we think it likely the map is simply wrong!GIVEN how prominent the trail and knob are, however, we think it likely the map is simply wrong! Please comment!Please comment!

15. Charlies Bunion on USGS maps and Google Maps Spur Trail that goes out to a knob we always thought was Charlies Bunion

16. On July 19 th, we head off the AT in the first small gap E of the Charlies Bunion trail and find a new population of Paper Birch (8 trees)

17. Lookout on spur trail that we always thought was Charlies Bunion

18. View E from lookout on spur trail (we always thought this lookout WAS Charlies Bunion)

19. Plant list—in bloom Oxalis montanaOxalis montana Saxifragum michauxiiSaxifragum michauxii Circaea alpinaCircaea alpina Lilium superbumLilium superbum Rugelia nudicaulisRugelia nudicaulis Stachys clingmaniiStachys clingmanii Prunella vulgarisPrunella vulgaris Trautvettaria canadenseTrautvettaria canadense Thalictrum pubescensThalictrum pubescens Rudbeckia lacinianaRudbeckia laciniana Eupatorium rugosumEupatorium rugosum Eupatorium perfoliatumEupatorium perfoliatum Veratrum viride Heuchera sp Cuscuta sp Monarda didyma Diervilla sessilifolia Vaccinium erythrocarpon Hydrangea arborescens Rhododendron minus Rhododendron maximum

20. Plant list—other notable spp *=Fruit or young fruit Clintonia borealis*Clintonia borealis* Streptopus roseus*Streptopus roseus* Trillium erectum*Trillium erectum* Trillium undulatum*Trillium undulatum* Polygonatum pubescens*Polygonatum pubescens* Maianthemum canadenseMaianthemum canadense Maianthemum racemosum*Maianthemum racemosum* Solidago glomerataSolidago glomerata Aster acuminatusAster acuminatus Menziesia pilosaMenziesia pilosa RibesRibes Diphylleia cymosa *Diphylleia cymosa * Parnassia asarifoliaParnassia asarifolia Viola pallens (or V. McCroskeyi subsp. pallens)Viola pallens (or V. McCroskeyi subsp. pallens) Asplenium montanum Polypodium vulgare Leiophyllum buxifolium Viburnum cassinoides* Viburnum lantanoides* Sambucus pubens* Glyceria nubigena* Euonymus obovatus Smilax herbacea* Lycopodium lucidulum Lycopodium clavatum Lycopodium flabelliforme Laportea canadensis Betula cordifolia Rubus canadense

21. Rugelia nudicaulis frequent and flowering

22. Eupatorium, Parnassia, Streptopus, Saxifraga michauxii Photos by Julie Tuttle

23. Stachys clingmanii Photos by Julie Tuttle

24. Lilium superbum

25. Sambucus pubens

26. Diervilla sessilifolia

29. Our first biodiversity surprise: A Peacock hanging out at Ice Water Springs Shelter released or escaped from breeding farms in the area…but why not a tasty meal for a fox, coyote, bear?

30. Careful observers will note that green beans were part of the 2006 story…this year we had green beans on the trail, but they were different than the 2006 green beans

31. Despite the big print, the fine print says “imitation cheese”, causing some musings about things defined by what they aren’t instead of what they are

32. Results (hmmm…identical to 2006) Well, no Linnaea (yet)Well, no Linnaea (yet) So it was a Spectacular FailureSo it was a Spectacular Failure Make that a Spectacular failureMake that a Spectacular failure And it lead to a new round of planning…And it lead to a new round of planning… AND, we hasten to add, the paper birch population discovered is a NEW subpopulation AND is probably THE SOUTHERNMOST PAPER BIRCH IN NORTH AMERICA!AND, we hasten to add, the paper birch population discovered is a NEW subpopulation AND is probably THE SOUTHERNMOST PAPER BIRCH IN NORTH AMERICA!

33. Expedition 3 Planning Attempt to reserve 2-3 consecutive nights at Ice Water Springs Shelter along the AT because if offers access to several N- facing slopes at high elevation, both E and W of Charlies BunionAttempt to reserve 2-3 consecutive nights at Ice Water Springs Shelter along the AT because if offers access to several N- facing slopes at high elevation, both E and W of Charlies Bunion Plan to drop down to 4000 ft in multiple mini-ravines or even to hike down to the E of the knob WE call Charlies Bunion and then around the base and up the W side in the Lester Prong watershedPlan to drop down to 4000 ft in multiple mini-ravines or even to hike down to the E of the knob WE call Charlies Bunion and then around the base and up the W side in the Lester Prong watershed Good hunting territory for more Paper Birch and other northern species (like Linnaea)Good hunting territory for more Paper Birch and other northern species (like Linnaea) See map on next slideSee map on next slide

34. Possible route down past new paper birch and up in Lester Prong valley back to AT