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.

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Congaree Swamp (S.C.) Stop 2 2
Congaree Swamp (S.C.) Stop 2
Episode 2

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The Edge - Here, where the high ground meets the flood plain, we see more plant diversity. Large Cinnamon Ferns, Dog Hobble, Loblolly Pine trees, and American Beech trees frequent the area. With a...
Congaree Swamp (S.C.) Stop 3 3
Congaree Swamp (S.C.) Stop 3
Episode 3

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As Rudy and Jim make their way closer to the Flood Plain, we see more tall canopy trees: Red Maple trees, and Sweet Gum trees. Several flowering plants grow in the area as well: Elderberry, Winged...
Congaree Swamp (S.C.) Stop 3 4
Congaree Swamp (S.C.) Stop 3
Episode 4

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Before making their way to the next stop, Rudy and Jim come across an Eastern Mud turtle resting under a bush.
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Congaree Swamp (S.C.) Stop 4
Episode 5

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At the next stop, Rudy and Jim analyze more of the plants found in the area: Hackberry trees, and Switch Cane dominate the area. A healthy Poison Ivy can be seen completely encasing a dead oak tree.
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Congaree Swamp (S.C.) Stop 4
Episode 6

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Rudy and Jim find a young Bald Cypress tree, and a Papaw tree, which flowers in the early springtime.
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Congaree Swamp (S.C.) Stop 5
Episode 7

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Oxbow Lake – A Laurel Oak tree has found a way to support itself in the muddy, wet soil. Water Tupelo trees, Bald Cypress trees, and Loblolly Pines dominate the areas closer to the swamp.
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Congaree Swamp (S.C.) Stop 6
Episode 8

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Cedar Creek – As Rudy and Jim explore Cedar Creek, they spot a large Brown Water snake.
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Congaree Swamp (S.C.) Stop 6
Episode 9

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Congaree Swamp is abundant with insect life. Rudy and Jim come across a newly emerged dragonfly, and a Zebra Swallowtail butterfly is seen feeding on a White Clover flower. A Clubtail dragonfly is...
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Congaree Swamp (S.C.) Stop 6
Episode 10

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Closer to the water, Rudy and Jim find more Cypress-Tupelo trees, and come across two Clubtail dragonflies in the process of mating.
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Congaree Swamp (S.C.) Stop 7
Episode 11

Video

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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...
American Beech | Congaree National Park (S.C.)
American Beech | Congaree National Park (S.C.)

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• Fagus grandifolia • Tall tree grows to 60 - 80 feet with 2 - 3 foot diameter • Distinctive, smooth gray bark • Long, slender many-scaled buds • Egg-shaped and coarse-toothed leaves 3 - 6 inches •...
Bald Cypress | Congaree National Park (S.C.)
Bald Cypress | Congaree National Park (S.C.)

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• Taxodium distichum • Only deciduous southern conifer • Height to 150 feet with diameter to 12 feet • Light and feathery foliage • Frilly leaves • A conifer that sheds leaves all at once • Horizontal...
Broad Headed Skink | Congaree National Park (S.C.)
Broad Headed Skink | Congaree National Park (S.C.)

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• Eumeces laticeps • Diurnal reptile • 14 - 21.6 cm (5.5 - 8.5 inches) • Black or brown skink, adults may be uniform brown • Five narrow light stripes including dorsal stripe along fourth or fifth...
Cinnamon Fern | Congaree National Park (S.C.)
Cinnamon Fern | Congaree National Park (S.C.)

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• Osmunda cinnamomea • Has rusty-woolly stalks • Grows in arching circular clusters • Pinnately compound leaves with brown fuzzy undersides • In the center of the fronds, a tall, brown, fertile frond...
Clubtail Dragonfly | Congaree National Park (S.C.)
Clubtail Dragonfly | Congaree National Park (S.C.)

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• Family Gomphidae • Medium size dragonfly • Has eyes that are wide set on the head • Dark brown or black with yellow or green stripes • Medium lobe of labium not notched • Female lacks ovipositor •...
Eastern Mud Turtle | Congaree National Park (S.C.)
Eastern Mud Turtle | Congaree National Park (S.C.)

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• Kinosternon subrubrum • Only needs a little standing water--likes ditch areas • A type of musk turtle--known by shape of shell • Tremendously long neck • No teeth, but a strong jaw • Scavenger • 7.6...
Elderberry | Congaree National Park (S.C.)
Elderberry | Congaree National Park (S.C.)

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• Sambucus canadensis • Broadleaf deciduous shrub or small tree • Height 3 - 20 feet • Light brown bark with numerous raised bumps • Looks like a hydrangea • Clusters of white flowers • Leaves are...
Hero Darner | Congaree National Park (S.C.)
Hero Darner | Congaree National Park (S.C.)

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• Family Aeshnidae • Usually 3-4 inches long • One of the largest found in the area • Abdomen looks like a darning needle • Compound eyes are reflective • Eyes are set close together so it has no...
Loblolly Pine | Congaree National Park (S.C.)
Loblolly Pine | Congaree National Park (S.C.)

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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...
May Fly | Congaree National Park (S.C.)
May Fly | Congaree National Park (S.C.)

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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 •...
Paw Paw | Congaree National Park (S.C.)
Paw Paw | Congaree National Park (S.C.)

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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...
Red Maple | Congaree National Park (S.C.)
Red Maple | Congaree National Park (S.C.)

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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...