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.

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

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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...
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Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 1
Episode 2

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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...
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Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 2
Episode 3

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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...
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Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 2
Episode 4

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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...
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Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 2
Episode 5

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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...
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Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 2
Episode 6

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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...
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Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 3
Episode 7

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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...
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Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 3
Episode 8

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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...
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Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 4
Episode 9

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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.
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Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 5
Episode 10

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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...
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Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 5
Episode 11

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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.
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Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 6
Episode 12

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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...
Yellowroot | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene
Yellowroot | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene

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

Yellowroot: • Xanthorhiza simplicissima • Small branched shrub that usually grows in colonies • Underground stem • Roots and inner bark of stem are yellow • Roots produce a strong odor and taste...
Yellow Buckeye | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene
Yellow Buckeye | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene

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

Yellow Buckeye: Aesculus octandra Popular shade tree Grows up to 90 feet high with a trunk diameter of 3 feet Leaves are compound palmate Leaves are 5 to 15 inches long; occur in groups of five Yellow...
Wood Anemone | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene
Wood Anemone | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene

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

Wood Anemone: • Amenome quinquefolia • Delicate specimen • Less than 6 inches tall • Single, white or pink flower with 5 sepals • Whorl of leaves on slender stem • Grows in patches
Witch Hazel | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene
Witch Hazel | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene

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

Hamamelidaceae virginiana • Deciduous • Grows in clusters • Narrow, strap-shaped, yellow petals • Grows up to 25 feet high • Capsular fruit flowers in October • Foliage turns yellow in the fall •...
Wild Geranium | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene
Wild Geranium | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene

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

Wild Geranium: • Geranium maculatum • Hardy, shade-tolerant perennial • Native to temperate climates • Plant has 10 fertile stamens • Pink blossoms • Regular-shaped flower petals • Also known as...
White Trillium | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene
White Trillium | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene

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

White Trillium: • Trillium erectum • Also called Erect Trillium or Wake Robin • Abundant spring wildflower that grows on the forest floor • Three leaves radiate from the top of a 6 to 12 inch stalk •...
Walking Fern | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene
Walking Fern | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene

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

Asplenium rhyzohyllum • Rare fern that looks like it is walking across moss • Erect rhizomes 1 - 1.5 mm in diameter • Scales form a broad base • Long narrow stipes • Narrow triangular laminae •...
Tulip Tree | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene
Tulip Tree | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene

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

Liriodendron tulipfera Beautiful ornamental tree Ranked among noblest trees in American forests Largest deciduous tree in North America Also known as Yellow Poplar Leaf is tulip-shaped Important...
Sweet Betsy | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene
Sweet Betsy | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene

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

Trillium cuneatum • Rich, dark flower with three parts • Species name means "wedge-shaped" referring to the tapered shape of the petal • Tri-colored petals - either maroon or yellow • Erect, smooth...
Star Chickweed | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene
Star Chickweed | Appalachian Cove (S.C.) | NatureScene

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

Stellaria media • Native species • Member Pink family (Caryophyllaceae) • Height 15 - 40 cm (6 - 16 inches) • The largest of the Chickweeds • Beautiful, star-like, white flowers with 5 deeply-cleft...