Hello all, does anyone have a resource where I might be able to find a list of locations in Maryland that are known to have wild cyps? I could e-mail the Maryland Native Plant Society, but if there's a way of getting a locale without bothering them, I would prefer it. Thanks

--Stephen

Hi, Stephen,

It has been many years since I lived in Maryland. I suspect that the few places I knew are under parking lots now!

Ron Burch

Well, unless you get personally friendly with someone, I doubt they will reveal any locals for the rarer species. Your best bet for Cyp habitats are in Fredrick, Washington, Allegany, and Garrett Counties in the wooded mountains and bog areas. Here’s a few online references:

C. acaule: Araby Bog in Charles County:

http://www.mdflora.org/survey_data/arbybotsrvy_rod.html

C. acaule, C. parviflorum (syn. C. calceolus): Montgomary County list:

http://www.mc-mncppc.org/environment/native_plants/species_list.pdf

C. candidum: found only in one site in the state in Washington County. I doubt any authority will reveal its specific location:

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/rte/rte04wash.pdf

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/rtewhiteladyslipper.asp

C. reginae: I couldn’t find specific references, but I’d guess your best bet is in the westernmost counties, especially Garrett and Allegany near the famous bogs of that region.
Speaking of which, the Cranesville Swamp in Garrett County (and adjacent parts of West Virginia) has some unusual northern plants, and possibly some Cyps:

http://nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/westvirginia/preserves/art1202.html

I found one vague reference to “C. furcatum”, now known as C. kentuckiense. While it does exist in Virginia, I don’t think it’s been collected in Maryland yet.

I’d say the most likely species you’ll find is C. acaule (widespread), then C. parviflorum (both v. pubescens and v. parviflorum are listed) in the western moutains, then C. reginae (in rare pockets in the west), and finally C. candidum (only one wooded site).

Good luck in your quest!

Tom

Hrm thanks for the references, guys. I am thinking of starting with Little Bennett Regional Park and moving west and north until I find some. Do you have any idea when the plants generally bloom in this area?

--Stephen

Hey Stephen,

I'd look for C. acaule and C. parviflorum starting in mid-May. They could be blooming as late as early June in some upland areas. C. reginae expect later on, maybe mid-June.

It's that time again! Assuming a mid-may blooming, when can I start looking for shoots? I got in touch with some of the naturalists in the area and they gave me some hints, but they say the deer tend to eat the flowers. I am hoping I can find the plants before that happens.

Thanks,

--Stephen

The plants bloom very quickly after emerging from the ground. I find the shoot buds coming up around the first of May for C acaule and by mid-April for C parviflorum. The shoots come up very quickly - visiting a site on a given Saturday may show nothing whereas by the next Saturday, there are already leaves open! C reginae develops more slowly so that you will be able to follow the plants for several weeks.

Good hunting!

Ron Burch

So would the first of May be a good time to start looking for leaves in Maryland (to protect the shoots from the deer) or would you recommend starting earlier? After that, would looking once a week be sufficient?

Thanks!

--Stephen

Stephen,

You certainly can start seeing leaves by early May, but finding them is another matter unless you know where plants are growing. As Ron pointed out, once they get going, Cyps rapidly flower, so the progression may be too fast to catch easily (taking only a week to ten days). If you get a couple days of warm weather, this can really accelerate the process. Also, emerging shoots are not easy to find if you don't know precise locations. To wit, flowering plants are the easiest to find.

I do appreciate your enthusiasm however. Go find some Cyps, and remember to report back on your findings please!

Tom

Once you find your first flowering Cyp you will be hooked for life - so be VERY CAREFUL!!

Ron Burch

I have been in touch with a naturalist from a local park who gave me some hints on a pine grove where they might be found. She says the deer like to eat the shoots before they flower, so i would like to get to them beforehand so that we can protect them. I am, however, quite lazy, so it will be interesting to see how things turn out.

I am sure once I see them I will be able to quit any time I want to! Just like with my tropical slippers. (I just don't want to quit, but I could) (really)

--Stephen

Well I spent a few hours wandering around a park today finding nothing. Should I be looking for stands of pines or anything in particular?

--Stephen

Stephen,

If you are looking for C. acuale in particular, then under pines is a good place. Also, focus on areas that have mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) and blueberries (Vaccinium sp.), but not necessarily associated with pines. These tend to be companion plants of this species since they all like acidic soil.

C. pubescens can be found in more deciduous woods without obvious association with any other plants. Look in areas that have bright shade and perhaps are a bit "ferny". They are shade lovers, but not deep shade. I agree with Heather that usually you don't see Cyps and Arisaema growing together, although I wouldn't rule out those areas. Very likely you will have to wait for them to flower before they become obvious.

Good luck!

Tom

>I am sure once I see them I will be able to quit any time I want to! Just like >with my tropical slippers. (I just don't want to quit, but I could) (really)

Believe me - once you see them you will be doomed! I saw a pubescens a number of years ago and now I bought a new house seemingly 100 miles from work just to have enough room out back to grow 1000s of them. It is a very serious illness!

Ron burch

I am sure once I see them I will be able to quit any time I want to! Just like with my tropical slippers. (I just don't want to quit, but I could) (really)

--Stephen


Hahahahaha!!!!
:lol:

Hrm it seems like what you're saying is that I shouldn't look because then i'll be hooked. Although, that's kinda like saying 'Don't take heroin, it's addictive' to a crack-head.:D

I may have to skip the park and go elsewhere. Too many deer and not enough hunting. There's a 'conservation area' (translation: hills interspersed with flood plain and power lines) which I have been told is a good area to look through. There's lots of hunting around there, so hopefully not nearly as much predation.

--Stephen

Any luck yet Stephen?

None! I thought I had found the perfect location... nice coat of pine needles with scattered leaves above on a dryish hillside. No dice, though. Hopefully I can go back out tomorrow or the next day and continue my search.

I think the pine beetles have really taken their toll on woods in my area. I have noticed lots of dead pines in mixed forests.

--Stephen