Flowering Dogwood

(the seeds will be inside these berries)

Red Bud

(seed pods)

Red Bud 

(small seeds inside the pod)

River Birch

(flowers)

River Birch

(fruit)

River Birch

(seeds)

Southern Magnolia

Southern Magnolia

(seeds)

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Flowering Dogwood

(Isn't it funny that this is a tree, and that the white bracts aren't part of the actual flower at all!?)

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Pine Tree

(Long Leaf Pine and Pond Pine are both on your specimen list, but "Pine Tree" in general is the state tree, not a specific kind of pine tree.)

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What is theNC State

blue berry?

(This is a tough one, but just stay with me here...)

:)

Blueberry

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Carolina Lily

 [image]

Scuppernong Grape

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What is the NC State 

red berry?

Strawberry

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What is the NC State

Carniverous Plant?

Venus Fly Trap

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What's the difference?

[image]

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Top is the Tulip Poplar seed head and seeds.

Bottom is the Magnolia seed head and seeds.

What's the difference?

[image][image]

Top:  Sweetgum

Bottom:  Sycamore

What's the difference?

[image]                       [image]

Longleaf Pine on left.         Pond Pine on right.

What's the difference between this tree

[image][image]

and this tree

[image][image]

Pond Pine = squat, roundish cone, 6-8 inch long needles

Longleaf Pine = large open cone, 11 inch long needles

How does the longleaf pine tree ensure that its seeds get a chance to grow?

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The longleaf pine's cones are very large.  Only animals like the fox squirrel are large enough to manipulate and open the longleaf pine cones to eat the seeds before they fall to the ground.  

The seeds are large and heavy and, despite having a wing, generally do not fall far from the tree.  The seeds are high in fats and therefore prized by mice, birds, squirrels, and ants. Since the seeds don't travel very far, and are so yummy, they are easy to find, and just about all get eaten.  

To overcome the massive number of seed predators, about every seven years a profusion of cones are produced by longleaf pine trees (called a mast period).  Partial crops of cones generally occur in between these mast periods but often are completely consumed by seed predators.

How does the cone of the pond pine ensure that its seeds get a chance to survive and grow?

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An unopened mature cone may stay on the tree for several years.  Some cones will open to release its seeds each year, but most remain closed.  However, when the cones are exposed to fire, they all open and release their seeds.  

Hmmm....so how does this give the seeds a chance to grow?  The fire has burned out the undergrowth, making room for the seedlings to grow without having to compete with weeds, grasses, vines, or other tree seedlings.