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About the Maps
For each species, we feature an image of a Virginia map showing the distribution of its wild populations, broken down by county and region. Each species is found in areas of suitable habitat throughout its marked range. The frequency at which it is found is shown in red, as seen in the key above. While looking at the maps, it's important to remember that these show the natural dispersal of each species, and when species are shown as less frequent, this is typically from a natural lack of suitable habitat in the area. For example, if a species is shown as very infrequent on its map, it is likely because this species prefers a specialized habitat that isn't found often throughout Virginia (such as high elevation rock cliffs, etc.). This same species may be common in another state that has more of an abundance of this habitat, where as Virginia is just not meant to support larger populations of this plant.
Info credit for all maps: Digital Atlas of the Flora of Virginia, vaplantatlas.org References: -Flora of Virginia (2012) -Peterson Field Guides: Wildflowers Northeastern/Northcentral North America, Roger Tory Peterson, Margaret McKenny -Piedmont Native Plants: A Guide for Landscapes and Gardens -National Wildlife Federation: Field Guide to Trees of North America, Kershner, Mathews, Nelson, Spellenberg -Newcomb's Wildflower Guide, Lawrence Newcomb -Digital Atlas of the Virginia Flora, vaplantatlas.org -Illinois Wildflowers, illinoiswildflowers.info -Virginia Native Plant Society, vnps.org -The Xerces Society, xerces.org |
Moist Soil, Shade
These plants are species that have naturally adapted to grow in areas that receive filtered sunlight throughout the day or morning sunlight for less than 3 hours and have moist soil---soil that doesn't dry out but also is not soggy. A variety of spring ephemerals, species that flower in spring and and go dormant after blooming, grow in these sites. Lush ferns and sedges also thrive here. Species tend to be shorter than those in sunny habitats and, because of adequate moisture, are likely to spread to form colonies. |
