After the fire

 The foresters burned what local folks call a prairie between Panola Mountain and the South River. The fire killed the small pines and sweetgums that were growing in the tall grasses, as well as the tall grasses.

The dead and decaying vegetation in grasslands is so thick it makes for hard walking and spectacular fires. What’s coming back after the fire?

I expect to see the tall grasses again, but other plants have a head start. We saw some extensive stands of crownbeards, just putting out buds. Eight species in genus Verbesina are native to Georgia, and the experts were probably hoping to see them. We also saw some impressive stands of Japanese stiltgrass, Microstegium vimineum. This plant often comes up when biologists discuss the most damaging invasive species.

I, an old retiree, can call it an impressive stand of stiltgrass. If I were a government biologist, I’d have to call it an infestation. I’m wondering what the experts will do now.