Appalachian Cove (S.C.)

Once used as a fortified blockhouse and an Indian trading post, this building and the nearby Richard's House, built in 1805, survived from a time when these foothills were part of the Indian frontier. The Richard's House is believed to be the first brick house in northwestern South Carolina. It served as a stagecoach stop in the early 1800's and is listed on the National Historic Register. The scenic Station Cove Falls is located down a 1 mile hiking trail. The variety of flora and fauna of this area are typical of the Appalachian Mountains.

Title:
Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 1 1
Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 1
Episode 1

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Rudy and Jim visit Appalachian Cove, in the Blue Ridge Mountains of South Carolina. Some of the flowering plants found here have cousins nowhere else in the world except China and Japan. At this first...
Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 1 2
Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 1
Episode 2

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Some of the trees found in the area also have blossoms. The redbud is one example. On a nearby hickory tree, Rudy and Jim come across a woodpecker called a yellow bellied sap-sucker, which has come to...
Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 2 3
Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 2
Episode 3

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Cove forests are very popular with visitors, due to the rich bottom soil found here. One animal which does very well in these areas is the beaver. Its work can be seen here with its telltale signs of...
Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 2 4
Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 2
Episode 4

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Before the trees start to bloom, the flowers in the area explode with blossoms first. Here we see Lousewort and Pennywort flowers. While observing the flowers, Rudy and Jim come across a Black Chinned...
Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 2 5
Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 2
Episode 5

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

When pieces of trees fall to the ground, nature has a way to recycle that debris. A species of mushroom known as the False Turkey Tail helps break down the rotting wood, adding nutrients to soil in...
Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 2 6
Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 2
Episode 6

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

The increased amount of rain makes for a much more diversified forest when it comes to the tall trees in the area. Here we see the Tulip Tree, and the Understory Tree. Along the way Rudy and Jim come...
Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 3 7
Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 3
Episode 7

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Another characteristic of this forest which makes it unique is that it is has remained relatively unchanged for millions of years. The Mayapple flower is a common flower in the area, and features an...
Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 3 8
Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 3
Episode 8

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

In the same stop, Rudy and Jim find a species of reptile called the Green Anole lizard, and they describe the differences between a salamander and a lizard. Illustrating more of the forest’s diversity...
Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 4 9
Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 4
Episode 9

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

The cove got its shape from streams of water periodically carving out the rock. Witch Hazel and Rhododendrons are species of plants which benefit from the moisture of nearby streams.
Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 5 10
Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 5
Episode 10

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

At this next stop, Rudy and Jim find Canada Violets, White Trillium, Blue Cohosh, and a Green Frog can be seen close-by near the stream. Other plants which dominate the area are Yellow Buckeye trees...
Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 5 11
Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 5
Episode 11

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

In the same stop, Rudy and Jim talk about the plants growing on a nearby rock: moss, Walking Fern, and another Canada Violet. On a nearby tree, Rudy and Jim find a cocoon of a Large Silkworm Moth.
Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 6 12
Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 6
Episode 12

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

The constant stream of mist coming from the waterfall at this next stop affects the variety of plants found here. The mountain, like the forest, is ancient, and the waterfall continues to wear away...
Beaver | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene
Beaver | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene

Photo

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

• Castor canadiensis • Largest rodent in North America • Chiefly nocturnal • Rich, brown, waterproof fur • Huge front teeth • Large webbed hind feet and powerful hind legs • Naked, scaly, paddle...
Bellwort | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene
Bellwort | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene

Photo

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Uvularia perfoli • Height 4 - 7 cm (1 - 3 inches) • Common woodland wildflower • Drooping, bright yellow, bell-shaped flowers • Belongs to Lily family • Perfoliate leaves • Stem appears to pierce...
Black Rock Moss | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene
Black Rock Moss | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene

Photo

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Genus Lycopodium Succulent herb Primary moss in succession Rose pink star-like flowers Four petaled flowers in terminal clusters Contains distinct stem with simple leaves Oblong glaucous leaves Fruit...
Blue Cohosh | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene
Blue Cohosh | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene

Photo

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Blue Cohosh • Cimicifuga racemosa • Related to Mayapple • Large plant with clusters of small flowers • No petals • Numerous stamens in a tuft • Single pistil • Blue fruit • Unpleasant odor repels...
Canada Violet | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene
Canada Violet | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene

Photo

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

• Viola canadensis • Related to northern violets • Fragrant flower • Flowers are white inside, purple-tinged outside with yellow base • Heart-shaped, finally-toothed leaves • Slender purple stalks •...
Dwarf Iris | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene
Dwarf Iris | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene

Photo

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Iris cristata Grows up to 15 inches tall Cold, hardy perennial The name Iris means Rainbow Smaller than cultivated Irises Three blue petals Thick, bushy beards on lower blossom petals Prefers sunny...
False Turkey Tail | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene
False Turkey Tail | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene

Photo

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Stereum ostrea • Type of mushroom (Fungi) • More delicate, stiffer than true Turkey Tail • Spatula-shaped to fan-shaped in outline • Hairy upper surface • Tough leathery texture • Main body inside of...
Foam Flower | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene
Foam Flower | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene

Photo

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

T iarella cordifolia • Name is derived from the Greek word Tiara • Perennial herb • Blooms April to June • Maximum height 6 - 12 inches • Small, delicate, star-shaped flowers with white petals and...
Forest Snail | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene
Forest Snail | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene

Photo

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

• Mesomphix vulgatis • Terrestrial species • Lives coiled in a shell • Thin skin • Oozes along with prominent muscular foot • Feeds with radula • Operculum seals its shell • Stalked eyes and antennae