Macon County provides innumerable opportunities to walk and hike on sidewalks and paved paths as well as on level-to-steep trails. In spring through fall, especially, we walk by lush vegetation, dismissing much of it as weeds. Our goal is often to arrive at our destination point, get exercise, or spend time with a friend or family member.
But to enhance that walk or hike, it behooves individuals to spend at least one outing truly observing the wonders offered up by these Appalachian Mountains. During Bartram 250, an early-June, multi-day celebration of the life and travels of 18th century naturalist William Bartram, many opportunities existed to do just that.
On one “hike” that was described by a participant as “the shortest walk where I learned the most,” Blue Ridge Bartram Trail Conservancy’s Trail Coordinator Ben Banack, educated in biology and botany, took a group on a highly informative meander from Wayah Bald’s parking lot down a part of the Bartram Trail to learn about flourishing native plants. In step after step, what first appears as just a mass of varying green hues became a condensed botany lesson.
Although not everyone has an opportunity to tag along with someone as knowledgeable as Banack, apps like Google Search, PlantNet, iNaturalistLens, and more enable walkers/hikers to identify and find information about plants. And, pocket identifiers and books focusing on Appalachian plants are easy to carry.
During the flora and fauna walk, Banack filled participants in on what plants were edible, toxic, or could be used for medicinal purposes.
A few along the path included White Clintonia, a wide-leaf, lily-like plant with a long, straight stem and a dome cluster of small white flowers. Wild yam has large heart-shaped leaves, and the small roots can actually be eaten. Jack in the Pulpit resembles a slender vase with a flap over it, and Bear Corn looks like some sort of fungus growing up out of the ground but is actually a parasitic plant and is bitter to taste, but edible. Banack also explained how to distinguish between Solomon’s Seal and Fake Solomon’s Seal.
So next time taking a walk or a hike, consider slowing it down a bit to learn about some of those plants lining the path.