Post by Melanie on May 5, 2007 12:56:09 GMT 1
Description: Mountain golden-heather is a low, spreading,
freely branching shrub, somewhat like a large moss or low
juniper, usually about 6 inches (15 cm) high. The needle-like
leaves are alternate, about 0.11-0.27 inches (3-7 mm) long,
and point toward the tops of the branches. The plant may be
yellow-green, especially when growing in shade. Leaves
from previous years, although dead and brown, will persist,
scale-like on the older branches. Solitary flowers about 1
inch (2.5 cm) across grow at the ends of branches on a short
stalk. Five yellow petals, five hairy sepals, and 20-30
stamens are on each flower. Petals are twice as long as
sepals. Each flower lasts only one day, from early morning
until late afternoon when the petals wither and shed. All other
flower parts persist. Fruit is roundish, hairy, and on a 0.5 inch
(1.2 cm) stalk. The opened capsule may persist for a year or
more.
Life History: Leaves appear in May, flowering occurs late
May through June, and fruiting occurs late June
through September. Little is known about the
breeding system but it is assumed to involve
occasional cross-pollination by bees and beelike
flies, although closing of the flowers in the
afternoon may induce self-fertilization. Seed
dispersal appears limited and seeds possibly
remain in the soil over more than one
growing season, suggesting that
disturbance of the soil crust may be
necessary for seedling establishment.
Flowering does not occur
until the third year, and vegetative
reproduction is slow.
Habitat: Rock cliffs and shrub
balds at high elevations, 2800 to
4000 ft (854 to 1,220 m). Prefers
exposed quartzite ledges in an
ecotone between bare rock and
Leiophyllum-dominated heath balds that merge into
pine/oak forests. May survive for a while in areas
shaded by pines, but is dependent on fire to maintain habitat
in suitably open condition.
Distribution: Endemic to the North Carolina mountains.
Populations found in Burke and McDowell counties, within
the Pisgah National Forest.
Threats: Trampling, soil compaction by campers, rock
climbers, and other recreationalists. Reduced size and vigor
of populations, a result of competition with other shrubs,
increases the species’ vulnerability to extinction. Requires
periodic fire.
Management Recommendations: Regulations restricting
climbing, camping, and off-trail hiking on designated ledges;
consideration of plant requirements in trail maintenance
operations; realignment of trails at locations where they pose
a threat to the plant; implementation of erosion control
measures at these locations; monitoring studies to evaluate
the maintenance and reproduction of the plant; and
prescribed burning of the habitat and/or mechanical
removal of competing vegetation.
Sources: Radford et al. 1964, USFWS 1992a.
freely branching shrub, somewhat like a large moss or low
juniper, usually about 6 inches (15 cm) high. The needle-like
leaves are alternate, about 0.11-0.27 inches (3-7 mm) long,
and point toward the tops of the branches. The plant may be
yellow-green, especially when growing in shade. Leaves
from previous years, although dead and brown, will persist,
scale-like on the older branches. Solitary flowers about 1
inch (2.5 cm) across grow at the ends of branches on a short
stalk. Five yellow petals, five hairy sepals, and 20-30
stamens are on each flower. Petals are twice as long as
sepals. Each flower lasts only one day, from early morning
until late afternoon when the petals wither and shed. All other
flower parts persist. Fruit is roundish, hairy, and on a 0.5 inch
(1.2 cm) stalk. The opened capsule may persist for a year or
more.
Life History: Leaves appear in May, flowering occurs late
May through June, and fruiting occurs late June
through September. Little is known about the
breeding system but it is assumed to involve
occasional cross-pollination by bees and beelike
flies, although closing of the flowers in the
afternoon may induce self-fertilization. Seed
dispersal appears limited and seeds possibly
remain in the soil over more than one
growing season, suggesting that
disturbance of the soil crust may be
necessary for seedling establishment.
Flowering does not occur
until the third year, and vegetative
reproduction is slow.
Habitat: Rock cliffs and shrub
balds at high elevations, 2800 to
4000 ft (854 to 1,220 m). Prefers
exposed quartzite ledges in an
ecotone between bare rock and
Leiophyllum-dominated heath balds that merge into
pine/oak forests. May survive for a while in areas
shaded by pines, but is dependent on fire to maintain habitat
in suitably open condition.
Distribution: Endemic to the North Carolina mountains.
Populations found in Burke and McDowell counties, within
the Pisgah National Forest.
Threats: Trampling, soil compaction by campers, rock
climbers, and other recreationalists. Reduced size and vigor
of populations, a result of competition with other shrubs,
increases the species’ vulnerability to extinction. Requires
periodic fire.
Management Recommendations: Regulations restricting
climbing, camping, and off-trail hiking on designated ledges;
consideration of plant requirements in trail maintenance
operations; realignment of trails at locations where they pose
a threat to the plant; implementation of erosion control
measures at these locations; monitoring studies to evaluate
the maintenance and reproduction of the plant; and
prescribed burning of the habitat and/or mechanical
removal of competing vegetation.
Sources: Radford et al. 1964, USFWS 1992a.
