Favoritos de tpollard

On a Muhlenberg Botanical Society field trip on Appalachian Trail east of Sheet Iron Roof Rd. led by Nate and Suzanne Hartley.

Other observations from this field trip will eventually be uploaded and can be found at https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?nelat=40.0945&nelng=-77.146&on=2023-05-07&place_id=any&subview=map&swlat=40.09&swlng=-77.166.

Link for ALL observations at any date along this section of the Appalachian Trail. https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?nelat=40.0945&nelng=-77.146&place_id=any&swlat=40.09&swlng=-77.166&verifiable=any

Leaves are sessile. Leaf tips too acute for Polygonatum. (Also, if this were a fertile individual, the stem would be branched, which is never the case for Polygonatum or Maianthemum.) Leaves lack the 3 prominent veins as in Maianthemum (see underside of leaf photo for the many, equally prominent veins). Underside of leaf is glaucous, which is different from the other Uvularia species. Last photo shows a different individual. @johnnybirder and @kburke, I'm working on this!

Initially thinking S. ericoides, but upon further reading thinking now it's S. pilosum var. pringleii based on this description http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=250068856

not hairy as in S. pilosum.

The ray flowers are pale purple, so I thought not Eurybia divericata. The iNat app suggests Symphyotrichum, but those species look like they have too many ray flowers. Corrections and explantation of details greatly appreciated - Thanks!

Before I could pull out my camera, the adult turkey flew off this nest of eggs. This nest is on the uphill side of the base of a large tree, which prevents the eggs from rolling down the very steep slope.