Establishing records for Drosera (sundews) in Clinton County, NY

Abstract

The focus of this study was to establish locality records and collect a herbarium specimen for the genus Drosera (sundew) in Clinton County, NY. Although there are suitable sites for Drosera in Clinton County there were no known herbarium records for the presence of the genus, according to the New York Flora Atlas. Two species, Drosera rotundifolia and Drosera intermedia, were hypothesized to be found in bog sites in Clinton County based on their range in the Northeast. Localities surveyed for Drosera presence included sites specified by the New York Natural Heritage Program (NYNHP) as previously having Drosera and sites of bog designation. Sites that have been recorded by the NYNHP as having Sarracenia purpurea presence were also searched, as this species is usually found growing alongside Drosera. Of the locations visited in this study, Drosera presence was only observed in two of the sites. Both locations were previously identified by the NYNHP as sites where Drosera was present. The first site, Stafford Rock, is a black spruce/ tamarack bog located on a sandstone pavement barren. This site was last visited by the NYNHP in 1991 and was classified as a healthy bog site in excellent condition. After observing this site, it seems the health of the bog is in question and will be compromised by overcrowding by woody vegetation. The second Drosera site, Mud Pond, is a tamarack/ dwarf shrub bog declared in 2005 by the NYNHP to be in excellent condition. Drosera individuals at this site are growing in a creeping sphagnum bed across the pond; which may prevent other species from moving into the Drosera habitat. Drosera rotundifolia was the only sundew species recorded.