For information on the flora of the Carolinian forest, wetlands, lakes and grasslands/meadows, please refer to those habitats. This section deals with the unique rocky habitats of the escarpment.

Plants of the escarpment cannot be discussed without mentioning the population of Eastern White Cedars (Thuja occidentalis) that inhabits the cliff face.

Eastern White Cedars

Eastern White Cedars on cliff face. Photo by Alan Ernst.

Some of these trees have been slowly growing on the rocky cliff for as much as 1,000 years. This recent discovery has allowed us to understand just how tough and persistent trees can be. These old Cedars are gnarled and twisted from holding onto the rock and withstanding wind for their lifetimes. They are able to get enough water and nutrients from the little soil that they find in rock crevices, together with what rain they receive. Trees like this are also found in the extreme north of Canada's Boreal region, just below the tree-line beyond which the tundra begins. This shows that these trees on the escarpment cliffs face similar challenges to their northern relatives, and both respond to their environment by growing very slowly.

There are two other types of plants that the escarpment is well-known for: ferns and orchids.

Ferns and Orchids

Fern on tree trunk. Photo by Alan Ernst.

Lime-loving ferns such as the Hart's Tongue Fern (Phyllitis scolopendrium var. Americana), and Walking Fern (Camptosorus rhizophyllum) are found in the cool, moist shaded rock areas along the top of ridge, often in mossy spots. The fern Wall Rue (Asplenium ruta-muraria) can also be found here, in crevices on vertical or sloping rock. Fifty species of ferns are known to exist on the escarpment, while 37 species of orchids are found there.

Yellow Lady's Slipper Orchid. Photo by Alan Ernst.

The Calypso Orchid (Calypso bulbosa) is one of the more unusual orchids, but the Ram's Head Lady Slipper (Cyprepedium arietinum) and the Alaska Rein Orchid (Piperia unalaskensis) also are among the rare kind.

Mossy rocks at Hilton Falls Conservation Area. Photo by Alan Ernst.

The Cliff Community

Lichen. Photo by Alan Ernst.

Because there seems to be a lack of plant life on the cliff face, with the Cedars being the obvious inhabitants, it is interesting to consider that the rock is actually inhabited as well by thousands of lichens, algae and bacteria (cyanobacteria in particular). These 'lower plants' make up the majority of the flora of these communities. Some of these grow on the rock surface and some grow within the rock, just below the surface. It is worth a closer look next time you are visiting the escarpment.