NATURE NOTES FROM ACADIA

Miscellaneous Notes

Both the Indian Pipe (Monotropa uniflora) and its cousin the Pine Sap (Hypopitys americana) are at the height of their flowering season in early and middle August in Acadia National Park. At the two wildflower exhibits maintained in the park no plants attract as much attention as these two interesting saprophytes. The former, sometimes called Ghostflower, is a clean white in color when it first appears above the leaf-mold whereas the latter is lemon-yellow in color throughout. Both plants turn dark upon drying. The accompanying life-size illustrations show their respective habits of growth.

Early in August, in the woods near the southern tip of Echo Lake, a party guided by the Ranger-Naturalist and made up of members of the Appalachian Mountain Club Camp, came upon an excellent and unusually large specimen of the Fly Agaric or Fly Amanita (Amanita muscaria). This plant measured exactly 12 inches from top of cap to base of volva and the freckled and somewhat depressed cap, bright orange at its center fading to yellow along the edge, was seven inches broad. This strikingly-colored species is poisonous and has been found in greater or less numbers at all elevations in the park area.

During the month, a specimen of Mearns Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus macrotis) was found dead along the highway south of Bar Harbor. This is one of the few summer records for this uncommon nocturnal animal. It probably had been struck by a passing car while gliding over the road.

Fruits from the Arbor Vitae, Red Oak, Spruce, Beech, White Birch, and Moosewood Maple are being cut by the busy Red Squirrels. In places the forest floor is fairly covered by recent cuttings. The trees are yielding good crops this year and the squirrels are evidently taking advantage of the bountiful wild harvest.