Exploring a Granite Outcrop
On a recent tour of a local Arboretum I was introduced to a unique ecosystem in Georgia. Granite outcrops are exposed granitic rocks found in the Piedmont and Appalachian Mountain regions. Ninety percent of the 12,000 acres of outcrops in the South are located in Georgia. Stone Mountain is the largest of the Piedmont outcrops and probably most well known. Geologists estimate that most of the granitic rocks that outcrop in the Piedmont are approximately 300-500 million years old. Wow!
The granite outcrop I am showing you is located a mere 10 minutes from my home and is a treasure of highly specialized plant species.
The environmental conditions on these outcrops are harsh and very different from the surrounding forest. The temperatures on the outcrops get much higher than adjacent areas because the rock absorbs heat. During the summer months temperatures easily reach 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The impermeable rock and sparse vegetation leads to extreme water run-off hence ninety-five percent of annual precipitation in outcrop areas is lost to run-off. Now that sounds like a tough life!
The herbaceous plants that have adapted to these extreme conditions give the granite outcrops their distinctive character.
Annual herb communities occupy depressions over granite where soil depths reach four to six inches. Lichens and mosses are frequently found here.
As resurrection plants they are ideally suited for these desert-like conditions since they are able to resume photosynthesis shortly after rehydration.
A large number of plant species occur only on Piedmont outcrops. The mat-forming quillwort (Isoetes tegetiformans) and black spored quillwort (Isoetes melanospora) are two rare aquatic plants that are Federally Endangered species found in rock-rimmed shallow pools on Piedmont granite outcrops. These pools are susceptible to degradation and destruction from foot traffic, off-road vehicle abuse, dumping and soil accumulation. The quillworts anchor themselves to the thin soil with their roots. They reproduce by spores which form in May through October. They are able to go dormant when the pools dry up and then resume growth whenever rainstorms refill the pools regardless of the season. What an incredible adaptation!
The extremely hot and dry conditions on the granite has led plants to adapt to this environment like the prickly pear cactus (Opuntia humifusa) which tolerates drought by storing water in succulent stems or leaves.
On thicker soils, the perennial herb wooly ragwort (Senecio tomentosus) is common.
On thinner soils, Confederate daisy (a.k.a. Stone Mountain daisy) may dominate in the fall.
This unique outcrop vegetation also provides habitat for wildlife. There were several skipper butterflies enjoying the blooms. Check out the proboscis on this busy skipper.
I certainly want to revisit this outcrop in late March, early April when the flowering plants bolt and create an entirely different look to the outcrop. This visit has encouraged me to explore and learn more about this unique and amazing habitat.
The granite outcrop I am showing you is located a mere 10 minutes from my home and is a treasure of highly specialized plant species.
The environmental conditions on these outcrops are harsh and very different from the surrounding forest. The temperatures on the outcrops get much higher than adjacent areas because the rock absorbs heat. During the summer months temperatures easily reach 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The impermeable rock and sparse vegetation leads to extreme water run-off hence ninety-five percent of annual precipitation in outcrop areas is lost to run-off. Now that sounds like a tough life!
The herbaceous plants that have adapted to these extreme conditions give the granite outcrops their distinctive character.
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| Lichens and mosses |
As resurrection plants they are ideally suited for these desert-like conditions since they are able to resume photosynthesis shortly after rehydration.
 |
| Quillwort |
A large number of plant species occur only on Piedmont outcrops. The mat-forming quillwort (Isoetes tegetiformans) and black spored quillwort (Isoetes melanospora) are two rare aquatic plants that are Federally Endangered species found in rock-rimmed shallow pools on Piedmont granite outcrops. These pools are susceptible to degradation and destruction from foot traffic, off-road vehicle abuse, dumping and soil accumulation. The quillworts anchor themselves to the thin soil with their roots. They reproduce by spores which form in May through October. They are able to go dormant when the pools dry up and then resume growth whenever rainstorms refill the pools regardless of the season. What an incredible adaptation!
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| Prickly pear cactus |
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| wooly ragwort |
On thicker soils, the perennial herb wooly ragwort (Senecio tomentosus) is common.
On thinner soils, Confederate daisy (a.k.a. Stone Mountain daisy) may dominate in the fall.
This unique outcrop vegetation also provides habitat for wildlife. There were several skipper butterflies enjoying the blooms. Check out the proboscis on this busy skipper.
I certainly want to revisit this outcrop in late March, early April when the flowering plants bolt and create an entirely different look to the outcrop. This visit has encouraged me to explore and learn more about this unique and amazing habitat.
It is interesting what manages to grow in this area which looks barren.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
I have heard of Stone Mountain, but have never been there. It must be incredible there. I never thought about the outcroppings affecting the heat so much. It is truly amazing that plants can grow in these conditions.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool place to explore. Thanks for sharing it with us.
ReplyDeleteI love that close-up of the skipper. Fascinating site, and so different from what we have in my area.
ReplyDeleteKarin this is fascinating and I look forward to your update in spring....I visited outcrops like this climbing in the Adirondack Mountains in Northern NY...
ReplyDeleteWe have a lot of Granite outcroppings here, too. But not the extreme heat you mention (well, not in a normal year anyway). How fascinating that the plants have adapted so perfectly.
ReplyDeleteI have always admired outcrops of rock. It is amazing how plants adapt and even under the harshest conditions, something will grow. To me, this is the ultimate rock garden!
ReplyDeleteThis is really interesting. I've seen outcrops but never thought about hard it would be to live on one as a plant. I like that the plants are resurrection plants instead of just dead plants. What an excellent survival skill. :o)
ReplyDeleteHow interesting, Karin. I am awed by the different flora in these particular areas. I, too, am looking forward to seeing this area in the spring. Thank you for this very interesting and educational post.
ReplyDeleteYes Mother Nature adapts so well..it only we humans would let her be...Michelle.
ReplyDeleteYour last sentence said what I was thinking reading your post and looking at the images. It is a place to want to find out more. Very unique for plant varieties and how they grow.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post Karin. I've seen similar ecosystems on rock outcrops in western Canada but I never thought a lot about the environment these plants live in. They really are a tough group.
ReplyDeleteMicro climates are fascinating.
ReplyDeleteHi Karin, In Nova Scotia, where I grew up, there are similar ecosystems. Winds in off the sea pummel the plants that dare to grow on the shoreline beds of granite that were left behind by the ice age. The ability of plants to adapt there and in your granite outcrop amazes me.
ReplyDeleteKarin, We have areas similar in Middle Tennessee~except our exposed rock is limestone. Our Cedr Glades have marvelous indigenous plants, too. Thank you for introducing us to this unique and wonderful ecosystem. gail
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