Returning from South Georgia, we went to Arabia Mountain to see if the elf-orpine plants had painted the granite outcrops red.
They had.
These primitive little plants, which had been green the last time we saw them, change colors in February or March. It’s one of the signs of early spring.
Knowing that, the Wise Woman and I made it a point to get out of the house and look. Without saying much about it, both of us came in from the hike with a little firmer sense that this place is indeed home.
Millions of years ago, Diamorpha smallii adapted to live on the granite. As the little plants die and decay, layers of soil build up in the crevices of the rock. Lichens and mosses appear. Larger flowering plants follow. Eventually, you might see trees.
Biologists call this concept “succession.” I’m fascinated and am prone to go on about it.
Among the blooming plants at Arabia Mountain:
• Dimpled trout lily, Erythronium umbilicatum.
• Wooly ragwort, Packera dubia.
• Yellow jessamine, Gelsemium sempervirens.
• Violets, Viola sororia.
Soon, it’ll be time for cross vine, Bignonia capreolata. The yellow and maroon flowers remind me of Indian blankets of Texas. I’ll be watching.
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