Cedar Creek Natural History Area

Plants of Cedar Creek

Five genera and 10 species of the Saxifrage Family occur at CCNHA.  The woody genus Ribes (Gooseberries) with six species is the largest.  This genus is sometimes placed in a separate family, the Grossulariaceae.  The most common species is R. hirtellum.   It occurs in swamps and marshes. Less common native species found in marshes and swamps are R. americanum and R. triste.  R. glandulosum is found at the south end of Beckman Lake.  Two introduced species may or may not be persisting at homesites: R. odoratum at the Peterson Farm NE of Fish Lake; R. sativum near the Succession Strips.

Saxifraga pensylvanica (Swamp Saxifrage) is a common tall stalked plant of marshes.  Parnassia palustris (Grass of Parnassus) is an uncommon plant found in Reilings Fen. Mitella nuda (Bishops Cap) is a common understory forb of the white cedar swamp surround Cedar Bog Lake as well as many lowland hardwood stands. Heuchera richardsonii (Alumroot) is an uncommon plant of savanna.