Aroostook River trip (11–13 July 2003)
The focus of this New England Wild Flower Society trip was to examine the ice-scoured shorelines of the Aroostook River, a premier site for viewing northern and/or calciphilic plants. Ten participants enjoyed the trip, spending each evening at the Old Iron Inn B&B in Caribou, Maine (the highlight of this inn is, of course, the fantastic breakfasts served by Kate McCartney).
From the Old Iron Inn B&B, the class made two separate forays along the Aroostook River. One of the destinations was a section of cobble-pavement shoreline in Wade. This stretch of river is maintained open by frequent ice scour and is home to over a dozen plants of state and regional significance.
While walking along this section of the Aroostook River, the class saw such plants as sticky asphodel (Triantha glutinosa―pictured below), Gaspé shadbush (Amelanchier gaspensis), alpine milk-vetch (Astragalus alpinus var. brunetianus), and dwarf sand cherry (Prunus pumila var. depressa).
The second destination along the Aroostook River provided the class an opportunity to walk through botanical history by viewing populations of interesting plants that had visited by early botanists in New England. The railroad was used by many collectors as a means of accessing northern Maine. Unlike many railroads in New England, this railroad bed passed within meters of populations of noteworthy, native plants.
While walking along the tracks, students had the opportunity to view the unusual flowers of horse-gentian (Triosteum aurantiacum), discuss the unusual location for black ash (Fraxinus nigra), and visit a population of Seneca snake-root (Polygala senega―pictured below) that was first discovered by Kate Furbish in the late 1800s.
Due to the size of the Seneca snake-root population and details of herbarium specimen information, the class had the opportunity to "stand in the footsteps" of Miss Furbish (i.e., view the same population she collected from). As a way of alleviating the strain of long drive home, the class stopped in Crystal for a short visit to Crystal Bog, a circumneutral fen known for its interesting plants and panoramic views of Katahdin. After a long walk through open and wooded sections of the fen, the class was rewarded with several noteworthy species, including northern bog orchid (Platanthera dilitata), leafy northern green orchid (Platanthera aquilonis), pod-grass (Scheuchzeria palustris), bog birch (Betula pumila), and slender-leaved sundew (Drosera linearis―pictured below).
A special thanks to Kevin and Kate McCartney, our gracious hosts at the Old Iron Inn B&B, and thanks to all of the students for making this northern Maine trip possible.