Cattle grazing and misplaced priorities (v2.0)
-- An Especially Rare Site! --
In Nevada County, California, a unique home for Cobra Lilies can
be found. This site is the southernmost location for this plant
in the world! Also, this site does not have the mineral
serpentine in the soil. Why Cobra Lilies live here so happily is
something of a mystery.
Serpentine or no serpentine, from this view
(taken from high in a tree, looking down into the site), we can see the
water seepage site is
filled with Cobra Lilies and its rare plant allies!
Just a few strides away from the seep, dense pine forest resumes.
The contrast between deep pine forest and open wetland is astonishing.
Notice the lack of trails in the site. Trails would
change the way water flows
through this delicate bog. Researchers to the site take great pains to
avoid disturbing this easily damaged area.
