NOTE: Preregistration is required. Please email the trip leader at: massiefarm@aol.com
Description: Wildflower season in the Fall Line sandhills is in September and October! Yellows and purples are the prevailing colors and asters are the dominant family. This year it looks like we are going to have a superbloom of slender blazing-star, Liatris tenuifolia. We will see the state protected (Rare) sandhills goldenaster, Pityopsis pinifolia, the lovely elegant blazing-star, Liatris elegans, and two species of jointweed – October-flower, Polygonella polygama and sandhill jointweed, Polygonella fimbriata. A personal favorite, sandhills scrub mint, Dicerandra linearifolia, will be in flower and we will smell its minty-sweet fragrance as we brush up against the leaves. If we have time, and the group is so inclined, we’ll visit a large bog with pitcher plants, sundews, bladderworts, and other bog specialists. This bog contains the only currently known population of tawny cottongrass, Eriophorum virginicum, in Georgia.
Special Considerations: Weather conditions in the sandhills during September can be rather warm. Dress for the weather. If we have time, we may explore a nice bog with at least one very rare plant. Bring rubber boots or shoes that you don’t mind getting wet and muddy.
Directions: From Butler, Georgia, take GA 96 west for 13 miles to GA 90. Turn south (left) on to GA 90 and go about 2 miles to Fox Run Road. Turn left onto Fox Run Rd. Follow Fox Run until it turns to dirt and in just a few feet, the entrance to Sandhills WMA will be on your right. Turn right and follow the sand road a short distance to the kiosk on the left. From Columbus, take US 80 to Geneva, where it becomes GA 96. Keep going east on GA 96. From Geneva, it is about 7 miles to GA 90. Turn right onto GA 90 and go 2 miles to Fox Run Rd. Turn left onto Fox Run and follow it until the pavement ends. The entrance to the WMA is just a few feet on the right. Follow the entrance road for a short distance to the kiosk on the left.
Meet: 10:00, at the kiosk on Sandhills WMA West Tract.
Facilities: None.
Difficulty: Walking will be easy – short trips on deep sand. We’ll be close to vehicles for most of the day.
Bring: Lunch, water/cold drinks, camera, and a sense of adventure. A good hat will be necessary. Keep an eye on the weather (use Butler or Geneva) and dress accordingly. September in the Fall Line sandhills can be hot, or it can be quite nice.
Contact: Hal Massie (478-957-6095), cell reception may be poor on morning of trip. Register for the trip by sending an email to massiefarm@aol.com.