Downtown Charleston
On February 28, 2019 in downtown Charleston, SC, from the time of 12:30pm to 2:00pm (1 1/2 hours), I made observations through the iNaturalist app and posted them to my account. On that Thursday, it was very sunny with a temperature of 75 degrees accompanied by a high humidity index. My exploration started relatively close to the epicenter of the urban district of Charleston and extended down Bull street to the final observation point, historically an area for oyster harvesting man-made into a pond.
Charleston is a touristic place praised and noted for it's historic beauty, from old churches to mansions. In addition to the man-made structures accredited for their appealing aesthetic, the natural sights to be had are just as spectacular. All along the streets of Charleston you see palmetto trees and blooming jessamine flowers scaling the sides of buildings, so it was no surprise to be able to identify a wide variety of plant life and some animals that inhabit these vegetations.
Beginning the tread on my exploration, I came across a common plant, typically seen in gardens for aesthetic purposes, Madagascar umbrella papyrus (Cyperus alternifolius). Madagascar umbrella papyrus, also referred to as umbrella palm, is a grass-like plant in the genus of Cyperus. This grass-like plant is commonly found in the United States on the southern part of the East and West coast but the plant itself is native to Madagascar, hence the name "Madagascar" umbrella papyrus. While this plant is a relatively easy species to identify, due to its common shape and characteristic sprouting "flowers," my observation has yet to be deemed that of research grade. Moving more towards the direction of Bull St, I noticed a tree with pink flowers, that of which someone could possibly misidentify as a cherry blossom, but upon identifying it through the iNaturalist app I learned that is was an eastern redbud tree (Cercis canadensis). The eastern redbud, is a large deciduous shrub or small tree that, unlike an evergreen, sheds its leaves annually. The deciduous tree begins to bloom in early spring, growing white buds that gradually develop their distinct purple color. The eastern redbud is native to the eastern part of North America but is known to thrive in other areas such as California. Once again, like the Madagascar umbrella papyrus, the eastern redbud is a common tree planted around the Charleston area for its aesthetic appeal. Also, like the Madagascar umbrella papyrus, my post hasn't been recognized as a research grade observation. Surveying the area to see if there were anymore possible identifications, I noticed a large amount of oak trees and upon closer inspection I detected sickly looking plants, curled up and shriveled, attached all along the tree. Capturing an image of these odd vegetations, I was able to identify them as resurrection ferns (Pleopeltis michauxiana). Resurrection ferns are a species of epiphytic fern, native to the Central and Eastern America. The name "resurrection fern" comes from the aspect that the plant can easily lose up to 75% of its water reserves on a relatively hot and dry day. From the extreme water loss, the plant responds by shriveling up to a grayish brown clump of leaves. When it is exposed to water again, it will “come back to life” and look green and healthy. Since my post of the resurrection plant, it has been deemed a research grade observation. As mentioned before, Charleston has a plethora of palmettos in the local area, so it was no surprise to come across, what I know now to be, a needle palm (Rhapidophyllum hystrix). The needle palm is a plant native to the southeastern part of the United States. The palm thrives in subtropical temperatures and is characterized by the long needles found at the base of the plant. My observation, while accurate, has yet to be formally verified as research grade. As expected, based on the purpose of some of the previous plants mentioned, I observed many species of plants cultivated for their aesthetic appeal. Plants like these include daffodils (Narcissus), red buckeye trees (Aesculus pavia), tsutsusi azaleas (Rhododendron indicum), common lantanas (Lantana camara), and star magnolias (Magnolia stellate).
With so many plants beginning to bloom, there had to be some type of bird or insect to pollinate all of them. Amongst where I saw the majority of flowers, I identified, what I believed to be, two eastern carpenter bees (Xylocopa virginica). After sharing my id on the iNaturalist app, I learned that the two bees were actually cellophane bees (Colletes). Cellophane bees are of the genus Collete and are categorized as ground-nesting bees. The bees build cells in underground nests that are lined with a cellophane-like plastic secretion. Plant diversity being so vas in Charleston, it makes perfect sense for their to be a large insect diversity too. Amongst the leaves of a sabal palmetto tree, I saw a giant leaf-footed bug (Acanthocephala declivis). The giant leaf-footed bug has adaptations that allow it to blend in with its environment. The bug is the largest of its genus and can grow to be 1.3in long in abdomen.
Finally arriving to the main location point of interest, I identified a green anole (Anolis carolinensis). The green anole is a arboreal lizard found primarily in the southeastern part of the United States. The lizard has the ability to change colors form several brown hues to bright green. Green anoles have a common body structure of a narrow, pointed head, slender body, long hind legs, and thin tail. The lizard can reach a total length of five to eight inches and males are generally larger than females. In addition to the green anole I also discovered a large amount of marsh periwinkles (Littoraria irrorata). March periwinkle is a species of sea snail that plays an important role in the environment by digesting and processing waste into a more viable source of nutrients for co inhabitant plants.
Overall, from the time I spent observing different plant and animal species in the downtown Charleston area I gained an insight into how each species plays a role in the natural diversity and beauty of the environment. More specifically, I was able to identify, seemingly common, plants that actually have more interesting aspects about them. Downtown Charleston, while not a typical environment, is a highly diverse and functioning one that, not only, provides food and shelter for the plants and animals but also beauty for the people immersed in it.
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great detailed post! Cool find with the cellphane bees...I haven’t seen those before!
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