Department of Conservation and Recreation
Conserve. Protect. Enjoy.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
DCR is excited to open new trails today at Bald Knob Natural Area Preserve in the Town of Rocky Mount in Franklin County.
Bald Knob was dedicated as the state’s 63rd natural area preserve in 2016 following decades of work by Virginia Natural Heritage Program scientists who first noticed something unusual about one of the plants on the site.
After additional research, a College of William and Mary biology professor confirmed that these plants were a new species not previously known to science: Piedmont fameflower (Phemeranthus piedmontanus).
This wildflower is one of the rarest species in the Piedmont. It is known at only five locations on Earth, all found within the Piedmont of Virginia and North Carolina. The largest of these populations, by far, is protected within Bald Knob Natural Area Preserve.
The plants with tiny, purplish-pink flowers that open only in the early afternoon, flourish in a special type of grassland known as a “barrens,” formed by Bald Knob’s shallow soils and southern aspects.
Many other species struggle due to water stress created by high temperatures and thin soils. But the succulent leaves of Piedmont fameflower store water to survive these dry periods.
At Bald Knob, a new, moderate 1.3-mile hiking trail, open only to foot traffic, has been carefully designed to avoid the most sensitive habits at the summit area while still offering several scenic viewpoints. The trail includes an accessible section offering views of the rocky summit.
As the fragile soils of the Piedmont fameflower habitat are sensitive to trampling, visitors and their pets are strongly encouraged to stay on marked trails.
Bald Knob is now the 24th preserve in the state’s system that currently provides public access for low-impact recreation activities. The limited parking spots – available on a first, come, first-served basis – are intended to prevent overcrowding that would detract from a quiet and relaxing visitor experience and would harm the sensitive natural resources the preserve must protect.
Visitors are welcome, and encouraged to check the preserve web page before planning a trip: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/natural-area-preserves/baldknob.
Categories
Conservation | Land Conservation | Native Plants | Natural Heritage | Nature
