The Stoltings are both Master Gardeners and are involved in recreating a longleaf pine eco-system on their 50-acre property much like it was many years ago. Longleaf pines can be found from Virginia to Florida to Texas but today only three percent of the longleaf pine ecosystem is left.
To preserve this unique community of plants and animals a controlled burn must be done every three years. It was learned that wire grass, which is also part of this ecosystem, will flower only after a fire. The group learned how fortunate we are to live in North Carolina where there is great plant diversity. Over 3,500 native plants can be found in our state.
Sorrie is an expert on rare plant communities. He performs natural area inventories county by county and identifies natural habitats around the state.
In his travels he looks for rare species of plants and animals. In 2002 he and a co-worker identified the rare "sandhills lily," a plant found only in North and South Carolina and a very small community in Virginia.
The group saw this rare lily, but it was not yet in bloom. It flowers at the end of July and the beginning of August. Along the trail, many native plants were blooming, including the Sandhills thistle, sweet bay magnolia, orange milkwort, the beautiful fire pinks, an abundance of Carolina roses and "pipsissewa," an Indian word for striped wintergreen.
In addition to identifying the plants, Sorrie shared interesting stories. The group learned that the root of the sassafras, a native small tree, was one of the first things exported by the colonists. It was used to make tea. Also seen on the walk were sundews, pine barren reed grass, found only here and in New Jersey, and grass pink orchids. To everyone's surprise, this orchid is one of 20 varieties found in the Sandhills.
The two-mile excursion looped back to the Stoltings' home where an assortment of fruits, sherbet, desserts, and cold drinks was waiting on the patio.
"No matter how large or small our property, we can all do our part to be sure the next generation will be able to enjoy the great diversity of plants and animals we have today," says a spokesman. "If you love plants and animals, and want to learn the plant history of the Sandhills, look for announcements of future walks and come join in the fun."
