08. Plants of the Forest

Cove forests provide an environment in which many different types of plant organisms can thrive; these include trees, herbs, and shrubs. Click on the links below to see some of the various types of flora that make their home here.

Within this Series

Fraser's Magnolia  | The Cove Forest
Fraser's Magnolia | The Cove Forest

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(Magnolia fraseri) This fast-growing tree with multiple stems, large deciduous leaves, and sweet-scented flowers, occurs in moist slopes and along streams. It is only found in the southern Appalachian...
Ironwood | The Cove Forest
Ironwood | The Cove Forest

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(Carpinus caroliniana) This slow-growing understory tree occurs along streams and in moist bottomland forests. Its wood is extremely hard and was used in the past for golf club heads, mallets and tool...
Jack in the Pulpit  | The Cove Forest
Jack in the Pulpit | The Cove Forest

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This unusual plant produces one or two leaves, each of which is divided into three leaflets. A cluster of tiny flowers is produced at the base of the striped tubular structure (called a spathe) that...
Large-Flowered Heartleaf | The Cove Forest
Large-Flowered Heartleaf | The Cove Forest

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This low-growing plant has evergreen heart-shaped leaves. The large jug-shaped flowers occur on the soil surface, often under decomposing leaves. This species, like many woodland herbs, has ant...
Large-Flowered Trillium | The Cove Forest
Large-Flowered Trillium | The Cove Forest

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Trilliums are easily recognized by having a single whorl of three leaves and one conspicuous flower. The large white flowers of this species are initially white but change to pink as the flower ages...
Maple Leaf Viburnum | The Cove Forest
Maple Leaf Viburnum | The Cove Forest

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(Viburnum acerifolium) This small clump-forming shrub that has three-lobed leaves that resemble maple leaves, hence the common name. Maple-leaf viburnum has showy clusters of white flowers that give...
Mayapple | The Cove Forest
Mayapple | The Cove Forest

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(Podophyllum peltatum) This widespread herb forms dense carpets on the forest floor in early spring. Single large white flowers with yellow centers hang down beneath the large umbrella-like leaves...
Oconee Bells | The Cove Forest
Oconee Bells | The Cove Forest

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(Shortia galacifolia) A small evergreen species related to galax with white flowers produced in March. It was discovered ty the French botanist Andre Michaux in 1787 growing at the confluence of the...
Red Oak | The Cove Forest
Red Oak | The Cove Forest

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(Quercus rubra) Several species of oak can be found growing in the cove forest, and Red Oak is perhaps most frequently encountered. This tree has leaves with sharp lobes and bristles at the tips and...
Rosebay | The Cove Forest
Rosebay | The Cove Forest

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(Rhododendron maxiumum) This evergreen shrub or small tree forms dense thickets in cool, moist, partially shaded sites such as stream banks, ravines and mountain slopes. It has thick leathery leaves...