NATURE NOTES FROM ACADIA

SUMMER FLOWERS BLOOMING IN JULY ON THE SUMMIT OF CADILLAC MOUNTAIN

Since Cadillac Mountain, the highest mountain on the Atlantic coast in this country, rises but 1527 feet above sea level, not many plants could be expected on the summit which are not also found in the lower regions. In fact, all plants mentioned here cannot be considered as rare in the lowlands. Frequent fogs which envelope the summit of this and other mountains on the island are partly responsible for homologizing the lowland and upland vegetation.

The American Meadow Sweet (Spiraea latifolia) and the Sheep Laurel (Kalmia angustifolia) are the commonest of July flowering shrubs. The Laurel belongs to early July while the Meadow Sweet tends to be more in evidence later in the month. The Pasture Rose (Rosa virginiana) is the only other conspicuous flowering shrub.

Perhaps the most common herb is the white-flowered Three-toothed Cinquefoil (Sibbaldiopsis tridentata.) which grows in so many of the rock crevices. The accompanying illustration shows the average size and usual habit of growth. In the more moist rock pockets where mosses have made fair growth the Mountain Sandwort (Arenaria groenlandica) blooms continuously, a veritable gem of a plant with its upturned bell-shaped creamy-white bloom.

Patches of the Small Cranberry (Oxycoccus oxycoccus) are to be found in blossom during July. Other bog plants are not uncomnon on or near the summit.

Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), is to be found, but never in large patches. A few deep pink-flowered plants have been seen. Other flowering plants include the Bunchberry (Chamaepericlymenum canadense), Whorled Loosestrife (Lysimachia quadrifolia), Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium), Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea), Red Sorrel (Rumex acetosella), Orange Hawkweed (Hieracium aurantiacum), White Clover (Trifolium repens), and the Buttercup (Ranunculis acris).

- Margaret Stupka