Today we go in search of the so-called stinking cedar or torreya pine (Torreya taxifolia) at wonderful site owned and operated by The Nature Conservancy called Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravine Preserve. Of course, this tree is neither a cedar nor a pine. It is a member of the family Cephalotaxaceae and it is in trouble. Habitat destruction and a terrible fungal blight have nearly wiped this species off the face of the earth. Join as as we go in search of this rare tree and meet a lot of interesting plants along the way. This episode was produced in part by Clark, Bobby, Kate, Steven, Brittney, McMansion Hell, Joey, Catherine, Brandon, Hall, Vegreville Creek and Wetlands Fund, Kevin, Oliver, John, Johansson, Christina, Jared, Hannah, Katy Pye, Brandon, Gwen, Carly, Stephen, Botanical Tours, Moonwort Studios, Lisa, Liba, Lucas, Mohsin Kazmi Takes Pictures, doeg, Clifton, Stephanie, Benjamin, Eli, Rachael, Anthony, Plant By Design, Philip, Brent, Ron, Tim, Homestead Brooklyn, Brodie, Kevin, Sophia, Brian, Mark, Rens, Bendix, Irene, Holly, Caitlin, Manuel, Jennifer, Sara, and Margie.
Learn more about Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravine Preserve
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Some of the plants we met in this episode
Sand squares (Paronychia rugelii)
Silkgrass (Pityopsis graminifolia)
Gopher apple (Licania michauxii)
Partridgeberry (Mitchella repens)
American holly (Ilex opaca)
Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)
Fireweed (Erechtites hieraciifolius)
Netted chain fern (Woodwardia areolata)
Pennywort (Hydroctyle sp.)
Royal fern (Osmunda regalis)
Doghobble bush (Leucothoe sp.)
Lizard’s tail (Saururus cernuus)
Virginia snakeroot (Aristolochia serpentaria)
Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum)
False rosemary (Conradina sp.)
American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)
Runner oak (Quercus pumila)
Resurrection fern (Pleopeltis polypodioides)
Yucca (Yucca filamentosa)
Matalea (Matelea decipiens)
Yellow passionflower (Passiflora lutea)
Rhododendron (Rhododendron austrinum)
Buckwheat (Eriogonum tomentosum)
Michaux’s croton (Croton michauxii)
Stinging “nettle” (Cnidoscolus stimulosus)
Devil’s grandmother (Elephantopus tomentosus)
Swamp chestnut oak (Quercus michauxii)