Congaree National Park (S.C.)

Set in South Carolina, the Congaree Swamp is a national treasure. Housed in more than 22,000 acres, it is one of the best and last remaining examples of a mature forested floodplain. Numbers of plants, reptiles, fish, birds, and mammals live in this pristine environment. Congaree Swamp was designated as a National Monument in 1976 and became a part of the International Man and Biosphere Program, preserving genetic diversity. In 2003, the swamp received the honor of becoming a National Park, thus becoming the first and only National Park in South Carolina.

The National Park is located on the floodplain between the Upper and Middle Coastal Plain provinces in South Carolina. Approximately 10 times a year, the swamp floods providing essential nutrients for plant and wild life growth stimulation. Mountain rivers from North and South Carolina help feed the swamp and contribute to the flood process from melting snow in the spring.

Congaree Swamp (S.C.) Stop 7
Episode 11

Video

At this last stop at Congaree Swamp, Rudy and Jim find another Sweetgum tree, which grows very well in this wet, muddy environment. A record size Willow Oak tree, toppled over by the wind, knocked...
Zebra Swallowtail | Congaree National Park (S.C.)
Zebra Swallowtail | Congaree National Park (S.C.)

Photo

Eurytides marcellus • Also known as Kite Swallowtail • Shows great seasonal variation • Early spring - small with short wings, short tails, and restricted dark and extensive light markings • Late...
Sweetgum | Congaree National Park (S.C.)
Sweetgum | Congaree National Park (S.C.)

Photo

Liquidambar styraciflua • Tall tree 50 - 120 feet • Five lobes per leaf • Leaves hairless, star-shaped, toothed • Leaves alternate on the twig • Leaves pleasantly fragrant when crushed • Mature bark...
Red Maple | Congaree National Park (S.C.)
Red Maple | Congaree National Park (S.C.)

Photo

Acer rubrum Called Swamp Maple Medium size tree, 20 - 40 feet in height Smooth, gray, young bark on upper trunk Older bark, broken and darker Leaves and branches have opposite arrangement White...
Paw Paw | Congaree National Park (S.C.)
Paw Paw | Congaree National Park (S.C.)

Photo

Asimina triloba • Small tree or shrub related to custard-apple family • Large, green leaves • Foliage resembles magnolia • Long, naked, deep brown hairy or red-brown hairy end buds • Twigs and young...
May Fly | Congaree National Park (S.C.)
May Fly | Congaree National Park (S.C.)

Photo

Order Ephemeroptera • Small to medium-size insect with elongate, very soft body • Forewing large, triangular, many veined • Hind wing small and rounded • At rest wings held together above body •...
Loblolly Pine | Congaree National Park (S.C.)
Loblolly Pine | Congaree National Park (S.C.)

Photo

Pinus taeda Large in height and diameter Average diameter is 4 feet Average circumference is 10 feet Dull, light green needles 6 - 9 inches long Three needles per cluster Cylindrical prickly cones...