example is serpentine chickweed, which occurs only on serpentine soils. It produces a thick covering of hair which serves to reflect sunlight and act as a humidity trap, preventing leaves and stems from overheating during drought. Likewise, little bluestem grass prevents excessive moisture loss by rolling its long, narrow leaves inward. Uncommon and threatened plants have intriguing names such as: Leonard’ s skullcap, striped gentian, leatherwood, potato( or krigia) dandelion, yellow stargrass and featherbells.
The unique vegetation community is dominated by oaks: white, red, black, post, blackjack, chestnut, swamp white, scarlet, southern red, shingle, and willow oak— with a total forested acreage of approximately 339 acres of maturing second growth forest. Large, contiguous forest tracts are becoming increasingly scarce in the County. They provide habitat for interior dwelling species, particularly birds. Over 60 species of birds have been detected, including a significant number of interior dwellers such as Louisiana waterthrush, ovenbird, scarlet tanager, pileated woodpecker, and barred owl, indicating a high quality forest. In addition to birds, a wide range of terrestrial wildlife species includes at least 14 species of mammals, six reptiles, and 11 amphibians. There are wetlands and vernal pools adjacent to the Greenbriar Branch in the North section. These are breeding habitats for spotted salamanders, marbled salamanders, wood frogs, spring peepers and other amphibians. More unusual in the dry uplands is a depressional pool or swamp that provides a sensitive breeding site for amphibians.
The Barrens is not for everybody. No planned trails exist as yet. Existing people’ s choice trails show erosion. The only access parking is adjacent to the power line. The plentiful Greenbriar vines grab at clothing and the forest footing is tricky due to the ever-present rocky soil. Known for a high tick population, visits require suitable protection and precautions. The Management Plan calls for a future interpretive feature, trails that avoid sensitive resources and a parking area. It also calls for adequate signage related to the occurrence of ticks and information related to how to avoid contact and minimize potential for Lyme disease exposure. Despite such impediments, this park is a unique place for study and research. Its size, geology, varied habitat and mineral-generated adaptations of flora and fauna entice all students of the natural world.
Ginny Barnes is an artist and environmental activist. She lives in a log cabin on a slope above Watts Branch in Potomac’ s historic Glen, surrounded by forest.