Plants of the New Jersey Pine Barrens

Our flora focus today is on a plant called Knieskern's beaked rush, or Rhynchosproa knieskernii. (Hereafter referred to as R. knieskernii). I've chosen to focus on a species that has a global distribution consisting of: New Jersey. That's right. It grows only in New Jersey. No where else in the world. The information below is based on 1993 population figures; since then, a number of populations caused by human disturbance have been noted.

US Fish & Wildlife will be instituting a Recovery Workshop this summer for this plant and an Adopt a Knieskern's Population program.

Rhynchospora knieskernii was first discovered by Peter D. Knieskern, M.D., in Ocean County, New Jersey in 1843 (Stone 1911). Dr. Knieskern originally labeled specimens of the plant as Rhynchospora grayana. However, a description of the species was not published until John Carey did so in 1847 (Carey 1847), renaming the species in honor of Dr. Knieskern.

Photo

R. knieskernii is a perennial sedge (or sometimes annual if growing conditions are adverse), usually under 40 cm, occasionally up to 60 cm. It is not rhizotomous. Here is the technical description: It is characterized by spikelets along the length of the stem. The achene (seed) has 6 bristles, retrorsely barbed, somewhere between half as long as the achene to about the same length as the achene, and the tubercule is triangular, and about half the length of the achene. USFWS suggests that the bristles may assist in animal dispersal. (1993) Achene is yellow brown in the center and darker around the edges. It fruits late July until frost. It is an obligate hydrophyte, meaning that it requires a certain amount of wetlands to persist. It was federally listed as threatened on July 18, 1991.

R. knieskernii is endemic to the New Jersey Pine Barrens, known from 5 counties.

* Monmouth
* Atlantic
* Burlington
* Camden
* Ocean



Natureserv lists its occurances within two watersheds: Mullica-Toms River and Great Egg Harbor.

Two extirpated populations are known from Delaware. It has not been documented in Delaware since 1875; possibly this plant was collected in New Jersey and mislabeled as to its origin.

Natureserv reports 52 known locations, 38 of which are extant (existing). They seem to break down into two categories:

* Naturally occurring populations
* Anthrogenic populations


Naturally occurring populations: Populations that are naturally occurring are generally found in wet bog iron areas, or over clay deposits, often adjacent to slow moving streams, pitch pine lowland swales, and pine barrens savannahs (USFWS 1992). Characteristic of these sites is early succession, low soil productivity, high acidity, frequency of fire, and a ground water influenced, constantly fluctuating water regime. Approximately six of the known populations are naturally occurring. The constant erosion and fire frequency inflicted on the area from the fluctuating water regime naturally maintain the ecosystem. (stochastic events)

Anthrogenic populations: Roughly 32 of these populations are anthrogenic, a result of artificial disturbance:

* Railroad, roadside, or powerline right of ways
* Inactive sand and clay pits (sand, clay and gravel mining, borrow pit excavation) that hold water, ephemeral ponds of a sort
* Cranberry bog construction



These sites often have an underlying clay lens more so than a bog iron deposit. Again, sites typically have fluctuating water regimes as well as various combinations of sand, clay, bog ore, gravel, and peat (e.g., sandy clay, gravelly sand with clay inclusions and traces of bog iron (Kolaga and Schuyler 1993); clayey sand mixed with gravel, peaty sand (Gordon 1993); and sandy peat (New Jersey Heritage Program 1991).

Reasons for rarity:

Intrinsic:

* An ecospecialist: R. knieskernii is a poor competitor. Succession is the antithesis of this species; it requires natural disturbances such as fire or flood scouring, or anthrogenic disturbances, such as Right of way maintenance, occasional ORV use, etc. Of the 38 extant sites referenced by USFWS in 1993, 19 are said to be undergo habitat succession that could eliminate those populations.

* Physiological factors: an eco-specialist, an obligate, narrow hydrophyte

* Temporal: a neoendemic: Neoendemics are found frequently in geologically youthful habitats, and often their rarity is partly a function of their youth - in some cases these plants have not had time to expand their range from their point of origin to their climatic and geological limits. (Fiedler) Endemic species must rely exclusively for their long-term viability and continued existence on the management of the geographical area to which they are restricted.

* Stochastic events necessary to promote habitat conducive for R. knieskernii: fire, erosion, flood scouring, etc.

* Edaphic factors: only somewhat so; naturally occurring populations tend to favor particular soil types with bog iron substrate; anthrogenic populations seem to have more flexibility as to soil type and often have an underlying clay lens.



R. knieskernii is both an endemic and habitat restricted, both characteristic traits of rarity in the Pine barrens.

Anthropogenic:

* Habitat loss/degradation

* Roadside grading, sand & gravel operation

* Development

* Recreational uses

* Change in hydrology

* Fire suppression—may have eliminated or altered a component of the ecosystem that naturally maintained habitat for this species



Threats: Vulnerable to roadside grading, sand & gravel operations, habitat succession, development, & recreational pressures.

What you can do: Private landowners with Knieskern's beaked-rush on their property can help protect the species by preventing people from picking or digging the plant and by contacting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to develop a protection and managient strategy for the property. If you find plants that appear to be Knieskern's beaked-rush, carefully note their location and, if possible, photograph the plant. Please do not remove the plant! Notify the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and your State's Natural Heritage Program (USFW).

Sources

Fiedler, Peggy. Rarity in Vascular Plants. (from CNPS Inventory, 6th Edition, 2001)
http://www.cnps.org/programs/Rare_Plant/inventory/rarity.htm

Flora of North America
http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242357898

NatureServ
http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Rhynchospora+knieskernii

NJ Natural Heritage Database
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/natural/heritage/

USFW Recovery Plan
http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plans/1993/930929b.pdf

USFW Species Account:
http://endangered.fws.gov/i/q/saq6q.html

W3 Tropicos
http://mobot.mobot.org/cgi-bin/search_pick?name=Rhynchospora+knieskernii

****************************************************************

Timber Rattlesnake Crotalus horridus

Submitted by Lafischbott, a student in one of my high-school classes.

Photo of Timber Rattlesnake

Rattles on tail

Photos copyright Renee Scagnelli


The Timber Rattlesnake, (Crotalus horridus) is a very misunderstood animal. Some view it as a monster of sorts, others revere it. However it is viewed, it is an endangered species in New Jersey.

There are 3 color patterns for the Timber Rattlesnake: a yellow pattern, a gray pattern, and a dark brown or blackish pattern. All of the patterns have v-shaped cross-bands across their backs with lighter bellies. (Timber Rattlesnake)

The head of the Timber Rattlesnake is broad and triangular because of the venom glands on both sides of the face. The scales on the crown of the head are much smaller compared to the rest of the body, and the keeled scales give the snake a rough-skinned look. Timber Rattlesnakes' rattles are important because they are a warning to step away. Some people may think that you can tell a rattlesnake's age by the rattle segments on the tail, but this isn't true. The rattle is composed of loosely attached horny segments. The snake does get a new segment at each shed but it will shed every 1-2 years and the rattle will regularly break off.

The snake vibrates its rattle to produce a buzzing sound. (Timber Rattlesnake Fact Sheet) Some snakes, including Black Rat snakes and Milk Snakes, mimic rattlesnakes' rattles by vibrating their tails through dry leaves. (Wildlife in CT)

Timber Rattlesnakes are very stocky, and can grow in length from 36-60". (Timber Rattlesnake Fact Sheet)

Rattlersnakes are highly camoflauged. This is another reason why the rattle is important to the snake (and us as well). If their predators are unable to see them, then they will give a warning rattle before giving a warning strike. Even though the rattlers are armed with highly venomous venom and a warning rattle, its most reliable protection from predators and people is its camouflage.

The first time a Timber Rattler will shed its skin is 1-2 weeks after birth. The adults will shed every 1-2 years. The average is about every 1 ½ years. At this time, a new rattle segment is added onto the old one. (Timber Rattlesnake Fact Sheet)

The Timber Rattlesnake prefers to reside in thick seasonal forests with an abundant under story for foraging. During the summer, males and non-gravid (not pregnant) females seem to prefer cooler areas where the forest canopy is thick. The gravid (pregnant) females however, prefer rocky basking areas in northern New Jersey and in southern New Jersey they will bask in oak pine and pine oak forests. (Timber Rattlesnake Fact Sheet)

In north Jersey's winter months they need rocky forested hillsides with southern exposures, but in south Jersey they'll make their dens in cedar swamps.(Timber Rattlesnake)

They have a wide North American range. It extends from southern New Hampshire, south through the Appalachian Mountains to northern Georgia, and west to southwestern Wisconsin and northeastern Texas. (Timber Rattlesnake Fact Sheet)

They will usually migrate from their den site in late April early May as far as 4 ½ miles. The normal rate however, is about 1 ½ - 2 ½ miles. (Timber Rattlesnake Fact Sheet) In north Jersey dens can normally be found on open, steep, south facing slopes, with rock fissures and talus surrounded by hardwood forests. (Timber Rattlesnake fact sheet) The southern Jersey Rattlesnakes will make their dens in cedar swamps in the pines. Timber Rattlesnakes will share their dens with Copperheads, as well as other snakesand skinks, particularly northern pine snakes in southJersey. This colonization is more abundant in north Jersey than the south. This is because southern New Jersey's Rattlers are more territorial than the northern ones. Northern Rattlers dens would have a population of 100 or more, while their southern brothers would have a population of 10-12. Young snakes will return to these dens throughout their life.

They are able to find the dens of their ancestors by following the scent trail of the adults. (Wildlife)

Timber Rattlesnakes are active from late April until mid-October. (Timber Rattlesnake Fact Sheet) When they first surface from their dens they are sluggish and drowsy, and they eat little during this time. (Timber Rattlesnake fact sheet) Sixteen to twenty-two years is their average lifespan, thirty years is the maximum they will live. (Timber Rattlesnake Fact Sheet)

Timber Rattlesnakes mate in the spring and fall. The males are very active at this time because they will be looking for females to mate with. Males find the females by following the phermone scent they give off.

The females will use the same incubation spot for generations. (Timber Rattlesnake Fact Sheet) Their gestation cycle is 4-5 months.

Since rattlesnakes don't reach their maturity until about 9 years, the females aren't able to give birth until then. The average amount of young is 9, but they can birth 4-14 rattlers every 3 to 5 years in August to mid-September. (Timber Rattlesnake Fact Sheet)

Female rattlesnakes are viviparous, meaning that they give birth to live young. The young are born in a transparent egg like casing that they shed after they are born. (Timber Rattlesnake Fact Sheet)

At birth the 1 foot long snakes are already endowed with venom, hollow fangs, and a tiny rattle segment called a buttonÂ. (Timber Rattlesnake Fact Sheet)

Their coloring is about the same color as an adult rattlesnake. Seven to eleven years is the sexual maturity of the female and for the male 5 years.

The enemies of the adult Timber Rattlesnakes are mainly humans. Juvenile rattlers' enemies are badgers, fox, hawks, owls, coyote, raccoons, turkeys, eagles, opossum, wild pigs, and skunks. (James Owen)

The Timber Rattlesnake is a pit-viper. The pit is located on both sides of the face between and a little below the eye and nostril. (Timber Rattlesnake Fact Sheet) These pits are heat sensitive and allow the snake to find prey in dark places. You will never find these on non-venomous snakes. (Wildlife in Connecticut) These pits are of high value to the snake, because they have very poor eyesight. Their eyes are only of use in observing movement from a short distance away. Even though Timber Rattlesnakes have no ears they can predict the size, distance and direction from wherethe animal or person is coming, from vibrations in the ground. (Wildlife in Connecticut)

All snakes smell through their tongues. The snake processes scent particles by rubbing its tongue over the Jacobson (Vemeronasal) organ, which is located on the roof of its mouth. The venom and fangs of the Timber Rattlesnakes serve sometimes as a defense but mainly as a hunting tool.

Read more...

Under Their Vine and Fig Tree: Travels through America in 1797-1799, 1805

Excerpts
from a 1799 diary by Julian Ursyn Niemcewicz, on his travels through
New Jersey. Found in Poland in 1956, and translated by Metchie Budka
and published in 1965 by the NJ Historical Society.

Excerpts from Chapter VIII: A Natural History Tour of the Environs of Philadelphia and of the Pine Barrens of New Jersey. Visit to the Iron Furnaces and Iron forge at Mount Hope.



(June 1799)
We had dinner in little Timber Creek; an inn and two houses make up the place which carries this name. The drinking water is excellent as it is everywhere where it seeps through the sand and thus loses its foreign and unclean matter. T. Smith tested the water in Philadelphia by adding a drop of Nitric of Quick Silver; the water took on the color of milk, the infallible sign of a great deal of salt in the water. Here the water mixed with the same solution did not change color nor lose any of its clarity. After dinner we traveled along a road through forest and swamp. The latter is covered with trees that would decorate the most splendid garden. The tree is Magnolia auricularis (now Magnolia virginica); it is similar to the orange tree in leaf and smoothness of the bark, with a white flower, folded like a rose, with a most pleasant odor which fills the air. Nature, placing this bush which is so pleasant in inaccessible and gloomy swamps, has attempted to show that there is no place that it can not favor with adornments and beauty. I saw dirty negresses wading about in the mud and picking bouquets of flowering branches for their mistresses. We spent the night in Great Timber Creek. It is a small town on a river swampy and only navigable for small boats. The ravages of yellow fever are great here, either because of its humid situation, or of its nearness to Philadelphia.

The 7th of June. It is raining and cold, the road goes through sand and forests for eight miles to Long-(a)-Coming, breakfast near the fireplace. From there 9 miles again through a barren pine forest to the inn Blue Anker. Here our field trip through forests and bogs was unsuccessful. Sisyrynthum bermud; Lisimachia, Galliya virgn; like Lupinus with a white and red flower. Nothing new. In the evening two Quaker women rode up in a carriage like a gigantic tantalus, or rather like a Turkish carriage from Moldavia. After them in a cabriolet a very drunken young man. He threw himself immediately on the bed and throughout the whole night addressed himself to heaven in hymns and psalms composed ex tempore, at times in moral and philosophical mixims. The next day he began the day with the morning libations of rum and whisky. Seeing us with books and taking us for doctors, he asked us for Opium, in order to rase the Spirits. He knew his bad habit well, and he was more the object of pity that he was aware of it; though the strength of this persistent habit destroys a moment's pause for judgement.

Next issue, we continue the jouney to Egg Harbor...
*************

We hope you've enjoyed our second issue of NJ Pines E-zine.
*************


We hope you've enjoyed our first issue of NJ Pines E-zine.

Conservation in the Pines

At its March 11, 2005 meeting, the Pinelands Commission authorized adoption of an amendment to the Pinelands Comprehensive Management Plan involving the redesignation of Pinelands management areas in Ocean and Lacey Townships. This action was prompted by a recent study of the aquatic and wetland resources of the Oyster Creek watershed which demonstrates that the high quality natural resources of approximately 4,100 acres of land might warrant a more protective management area designation. The lands in question are currently located in a Pinelands Rural Development Area where a residential density of approximately one unit per five acres is permitted.

Read the Pinelands Commission staff proposal to the Policy and Implementation Committee and Oyster Creek Report: http://www.state.nj.us/pinelands/laceyandocean.htm

Jersey Waggon Jaunts

In conjunction with the Bass River research we've been doing for the last couple of months, particularly Bodine's, Martha, and Harrisville, we took a trip on Easter Sunday through McCartysville/ Harrisville and took a number of good photos, tenant houses, mills, schoolhouse, etc..

We had little difficulty finding the structures (ruins) listed on Dellomo's and Fowler's maps. We used both maps as there are some sites listed on Dellomo's that are not on Fowler's, and vice versa. Most of the buildings with the exception of the schoolhouse
we'd seen, but putting it together into the town with the history of
the Wading River Forge, then McCartysville, then Harrisville, then Camp Lyons, made it more encompassing in its historical value for me.

Photos of Harrisville

If you are interested in joining us for one of our numerous trips, join our group.

Relevant Links, Harrisville

Batsto, Martha & Harrisville History

Type-written document from app 1932, archived at Vineland Historical Society. No author listed.

Early Life on the Wading River: Part One

By W. J. Hawthorn

Reprinted with permission of the old South Jersey Magazine

Part One. Part One deals primarily with the geneology of the Bodines, their tie to Martha furnace, and Bodine's tavern.


Early Life on the Wading River: Part Three

By W. J. Hawthorn
Reprinted with permission of the old South Jersey Magazine Part Three. Part Three deals primarily with the Harrisville and its paper mill in Burlington County. Formerly known as McCartysville.


Early Life on the Wading River: Part Two


By W. J. Hawthorn

Reprinted with permission of the old South Jersey Magazine
Part Two. Part Two deals primarily with the Slitting Mill to
McCartysville.

Harrisville Map


Hand drawn map of Harrisville


Letters byJoseph Wharton


Selected letters written by Joseph Wharton, 1896, concerning Batsto, Harrisville, and Pine Barrens waters.