Forty Acre Rock (S.C.)

Forty Acre Rock is set in the upper part of the Piedmont region of South Carolina. Forty Acre Rock is actually in the transition zone of the Piedmont and Sandhills. The Piedmont region has been heavily built upon in the past few years and signs of deforestation are evident. This wonderful park, however, remains untouched in its pristine beauty. A well-known group, the Flat Creek Heritage Preserve is the caretaker of this wonderful South Carolina treasure. 

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Forty Acre Rock (S.C.) Stop 1
Episode 1

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Rudy and Jim visit Forty Acre Rock, which is in Flat Creek Heritage Preserve, in Lancaster, S.C. Pine Forest - The forest, once dominated by hardwood trees, is now populated with mostly pine trees...
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Forty Acre Rock (S.C.) Stop 1
Episode 2

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At the same stop, Rudy and Jim come across a few common species of insects which populate the area: a male Tiger Swallowtail butterfly, a Sunflier dragonfly, and a cluster of Fall Webworm silk is...
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Forty Acre Rock (S.C.) Stop 1
Episode 3

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Damage from Hurricane Hugo, seen with some of the pine trees knocked over by high force winds, still remain. Yellow Jessamine and Japanese Honeysuckle plants can be seen growing over the damage left...
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Forty Acre Rock (S.C.) Stop 2
Episode 4

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Foothills- “flat rock communities” can be found here: outcroppings of rock with standing water. Endemic flowers are a species of flower only found in these communities, such as Cottony Groundsel...
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Forty Acre Rock (S.C.) Stop 2
Episode 5

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The significant amount of warm rain water greatly benefits the plant and animal life here. In one of these pools of water found in the rock outcroppings, Spotted Salamander egg masses can be seen...
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Forty Acre Rock (S.C.) Stop 3
Episode 6

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Vernal Pools - Red Cedar trees commonly populate these rock outcropping areas. Lichens break down the rock surface, creating the dirt in which plants can grow. Black Rock Moss Haircap Moss...
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Forty Acre Rock (S.C.) Stop 4
Episode 7

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After the rock gets broken down into soil, the first species of plant life to grow in these areas are mainly Stonecrops, along with Rock Sandwort.
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Forty Acre Rock (S.C.) Stop 5
Episode 8

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Rudy and Jim discuss the process of exfoliation, which commonly takes place on rock outcroppings such as this one. Here, on this island of soil, we see more yellow jessamine, moss, red cedar trees...
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Forty Acre Rock (S.C.) Stop 6
Episode 9

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Large masses of granite such as this one, are sometimes called “Plutons,” named after the Roman god of the underworld. This is due the hot liquid granite coming up from the ground and cooling...
American Holly | Forty Acre Rock (S.C.)
American Holly | Forty Acre Rock (S.C.)

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• Ilex opaca • Universally recognized eastern tree • Christmas holly • Prickly evergreen leaves • Classic landscape plant • Contains bright red berries and glossy leaves • Grows up to 50 feet • Trunk...
Bagworm Moth | Forty Acre Rock (S.C.)
Bagworm Moth | Forty Acre Rock (S.C.)

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

• Lepidoptera psychidae • Small, mostly stout-bodied moth • Wingless female • Black male with almost clear wings • Larva feeds on cedars • Cocoon is used for protection • Male leaves cocoon, leaving...
Birds Foot Violet | Forty Acre Rock (S.C.)
Birds Foot Violet | Forty Acre Rock (S.C.)

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• Viola pedata • No stems • Leaves and stalks arise from underground rhizomes • Leaves divided into many sections and have no hairs • Contains small flowers, approximately 1 inch wide • Leaves...
Black Rock Moss | Forty Acre Rock (S.C.)
Black Rock Moss | Forty Acre Rock (S.C.)

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• 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...
Bluet | Forty Acre Rock (S.C.)
Bluet | Forty Acre Rock (S.C.)

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Spring blooming annual bluet Houstonia pusilla, also referred to as the Tiny or Small bluet. Houstonia pusilla Also called Tiny or Small Bluet Member coffee family Name means “Tiny” Annual herb with...
Cottony Groundsel | Forty Acre Rock (S.C.)
Cottony Groundsel | Forty Acre Rock (S.C.)

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Senecio tomentosus Yellow A composite flower Ray flowers resembling petals on the outside Disc flowers in center Found only in flat rock communities Endemic because its habitat is very, very small...
Eastern Box Turtle | Forty Acre Rock (S.C.)
Eastern Box Turtle | Forty Acre Rock (S.C.)

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• Terrapene carolina • 10 - 21.6 cm (4 - 8.5 inches) • Terrestrial • Vertebral column, backbone, and ribs grow into shell and into turtle's skin • Movable plastron hinge allows lower shell to close...
Eastern Red Cedar | Forty Acre Rock (S.C.)
Eastern Red Cedar | Forty Acre Rock (S.C.)

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Juniperus virginiana Medium-size tree Needle-like leaves Leaves 1 mm - 2 cm (1/16 - 0.75 inches) Leaves entirely green, in pairs along four-sided twigs and branchlets Dominant on rock outcrops...
Fall Webworm | Forty Acre Rock (S.C.)
Fall Webworm | Forty Acre Rock (S.C.)

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• Hyphantria cunea • Silk web made by caterpillar • Native to North America and Mexico • Larvae often seriously damage trees and shrubs • Larvae spin silk over foliage, skeletonizing leaves as they...
Five Finger | Forty Acre Rock (S.C.)
Five Finger | Forty Acre Rock (S.C.)

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• Genus Potentilla • Low spreading plant with silvery-downy stems • Yellow flowers • Five leaflets up to 6.3 cm (2.5 inches) in length • First flowers arise from axil of second leaf • Also called...
Green Anole | Forty Acre Rock (S.C.)
Green Anole | Forty Acre Rock (S.C.)

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• Anolis carolinensis • Often referred to as a Chameleon, but not a true one • Slight in build with narrow head • Slender with long thin tail • Pink dewlap under throat in male hangs down • Ability to...
Haircap Moss | Forty Acre Rock (S.C.)
Haircap Moss | Forty Acre Rock (S.C.)

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Genus Polytrichum Stems are rigid Long, pointy leaves arranged spirally around stem Name means "many hairs" Hairy cap covers the capsule before it is fully mature Grows in woods, wetlands in acidic...