Wake County Natural Areas Inventory WILD CAT HOLLOW

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2 Wake County Natural Areas Inventory WILD CAT HOLLOW Site Number: 18 Size: about 25 acres Site Significance: Regional Quadrangle: Rolesville Ownership: multiple private SIGNIFICANT FEATURES: This natural area contains small caves in openings of weathered granite boulders. These caves are extremely rare in the eastern half of North Carolina. LANDSCAPE RELATIONSHIPS: This site is not close to any other significant natural area. The Southwest Rolesville Granitic Outcrops lie roughly 4 miles to the south. SITE DESCRIPTION: This natural area is located about 3 miles east of Wake Forest along a tributary of Austin Creek, just north of NC 98. Wild Cat Hollow is a dramatic exposure of granite boulders and outcrops formed by a tributary of Austin Creek. This portion of Wake County is underlain by igneous, granite rock known as the Rolesville Pluton. This massive granite body crops out on the land surface in many places in the form of granite flatrocks, such as at Mitchells Mill State Natural Area and Temple Rock. Wild Cat Hollow is a unique occurrence of large, weathered granite boulders situated within small stream valleys; it is distinct from the gently sloping flatrocks in the vicinity. The eroding action of the cascading streams has removed soil from the top and side surfaces, leaving bare, somewhat rounded, boulders in the streams and partially exposed "cliffs" on the stream sides. In places, the streams disappear where they flow under the boulders. Fissures in the boulders, over time, have been eroded by rainwater and water from the streams such that openings (caves) are present between the boulders. The openings are small, generally not much larger than 6 to 8 feet in any direction. In one or two caves, a stream flows along the base of the cave. Caves of this type appear to be rare in the Piedmont of North Carolina, though similar caves occur in Anson County where there is another extensive granite formation. The sandy soils on the steep slopes beside the streams support a distinctive forest dominated by chestnut oak (Quercus montana) and American beech (Fagus grandifolia). Chestnut oak is typically found on dry, rocky ridge tops away from streams and rivers, whereas American beech prefers moist, sheltered hillsides above streams. Oaks are usually slow growing, and forests with numerous trees the size of the ones here are uncommon. Somewhat notable is that both species of polypody ferns (Polypodium polypodioides and P. virginianum) grow on the large boulders. PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT: This site is in multiple private ownership. Fortunately, several landowners have recognized the importance of their land and have protected their portions through the Registry of Natural Heritage Areas. However, these tracts are not permanently protected, and other portions are not protected at all. 121

3 A home sits atop a ridge overlooking several of the boulders and caves. Additional residential development is a possibility on the gentler slopes at the eastern end of the natural area. A powerline crosses the site and the opening contains weedy species such as Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) and kudzu (Pueraria lobata). Some erosion is taking place along motorbike trails that crisscross the site. REFERENCES: Moore, J.H., H.E. LeGrand, A. Carter, D. Carter, D. Howells, B. Kirkman, A. Braswell, N. Murdock, and M. Fritz Wake Forest Granite Cave and Outcrops. Preliminary Site Reconnaissance Survey. N.C. Natural Heritage Program. Smith, I.K., H.E. LeGrand, Jr., S.P. Hall, Z.E. Murrell, C.W. Nordman, and M.P. Schafale Regional Inventory for Critical Natural Areas, Wetland Ecosystems, and Endangered Species Habitats of the Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine Region: Phase 3. A/P Report No N.C. Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources. 122

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6 Wake County Natural Areas Inventory SOUTHWEST ROLESVILLE GRANITIC OUTCROPS Site Number: 19 Size: about 335 acres Site Significance: Regional Quadrangle: Rolesville Ownership: multiple private SIGNIFICANT FEATURES: There are several dozen granitic flatrocks and other outcrops at this site, making it one of the largest clusters of outcrops in the eastern Piedmont. The State Threatened Small s portulaca (Portulaca smallii) is present. Several Watch List plants are also present: nestronia (Nestronia umbellula), Carolina pink (Silene caroliniana), and narrowleaf bluecurls (Trichostema setaceum). LANDSCAPE RELATIONSHIPS: The site is several miles from other sites, such as Pulleytown Road Granitic Flatrocks and Beaver Pond, and Mitchells Mill State Natural Area, both of which lie 4-5 miles to the east. To the north by about 4 miles is Wild Cat Hollow. SITE DESCRIPTION: This natural area is about 1/2-mile east of the intersection of US 401 and Jonesville Road (SR 2226), about a mile south-southwest of the center of Rolesville. The site is primarily composed of dry upland woods, mostly hardwoods with some pines and cedars, and abundant outcroppings of granite. Many boulders are located on slopes and along a creek that flows from north to south through the area. This is one of the more significant cluster of rock outcroppings in the Piedmont of North Carolina, and perhaps contains the most variety of granitic outcroppings in the state. There are six to eight medium-sized granitic flatrocks (smaller in size than a few others such as at Mitchells Mill and The Rocks), plus dozens of granitic boulders. There are two ravines running through the site, though a sewerline passes alongside the eastern ravine. These outcroppings, and the xeric woodlands around them, contain nearly all of the suite of granitic flatrock plant species known from the eastern Piedmont. Though the Granitic Flatrock natural community occupies less than 10% of the site, it is the most significant natural community. Most flatrocks occur on either side of the western creek. Fameflower (Talinum teretifolium) and eggleaf rushfoil (Crotonopsis elliptica) are widespread, and the State Threatened Small s portulaca (Portulaca smallii) is present on at least one flatrock. Much prickly-pear cactus (Opuntia compressa) grows along the margins of the rocks. A survey in April 1987 revealed much Appalachian sandwort (Minuartia glabra) on the rocks, and elf orpine (Diamorpha smallii) is present on one flatrock. The flatrocks are ringed by scrub forest communities, some considered Piedmont Red Cedar - Hardwood Woodland, but most considered Dry Oak-Hickory Forest. The former is dominated by Virginia red-cedar (Juniperus virginiana), with winged elm (Ulmus alata) and sand hickory (Carya pallida) also important. Fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica) is locally very common in this 125

7 community, as is reindeer lichen and various grasses in the rather open shrub layer. The Forest community contains species such as white oak (Quercus alba) and post oak (Q. stellata) in the canopy, sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum) and other trees in the subcanopy, and low ericaceous shrubs such as lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium pallidum) in the shrub layer. On a dry ridge east of the western creek, there is a large colony of nestronia (Nestronia umbellula) containing several thousand stems of this Watch List shrub. Other notable plants in the natural area include two additional Watch List species -- Carolina pink (Silene caroliniana) and narrowleaf bluecurls (Trichostema setaceum). Locally scarce are beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), spurge-nettle (Tragia urticifolia), and tread-softly (Cnidoscolus stimulatus); the last species is quite rare outside the Coastal Plain. PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT: This site is owned by multiple private citizens. It is completely unprotected. Not only is the natural area unprotected, it has greater and more immediate threats than any other natural area in the county. A recently constructed sewerline follows the west side of Harris Creek. This unsightly clearing also has allowed weedy plants to invade the area. There are now tens of surveyor lines cut through the forest, and hundreds to thousands of flags hanging all over the forest and rock margins. The few tracts had not been subdivided as of the time of this writing; however, it might be too late to save large portions of the site. Development is imminent, at least on the slopes and ridges above the outcrops, and a new housing development already sits immediately to the north of the natural area. A dirt track runs down the ridge separating the creeks, from which development could easily spread. Some exotic plants are present around the outcrops, along the creeks, and elsewhere. Not only is there a very high degree of threat from development, the N.C. Department of Transportation is planning the Rolesville By-pass through the site. The by-pass is proposed at least for the northern portion of the natural area. Whether both a by-pass and a new development can both be built is questionable, but one or the other is expected to greatly impact the site further in the next few years. This site would have been considered as State significant were there no recent sewerline or recent flag lines. The natural resources are arguably among the best representatives of granitic landforms in the state, but there are too many recent impacts that the significance must be considered as Regional. NATURAL COMMUNITIES: Granitic Flatrock, Dry Oak-Hickory Forest RARE PLANTS: Small's portulaca (Portulaca smallii); Watch List nestronia (Nestronia umbellula), Carolina pink (Silene caroliniana), narrowleaf bluecurls (Trichostema setaceum) REFERENCES: LeGrand, H.E., Jr. 1987a. Inventory of the natural areas of Wake County, North Carolina. 126

8 Report to Triangle Land Conservancy, N.C. Natural Heritage Program, and Wake County Parks and Recreation Commission. LeGrand, H. 1987b. Southwest Rolesville Granite Flatrocks. Preliminary Site Reconnaissance Survey. N.C. Natural Heritage Program. LeGrand, H.E., Jr Site survey report: Southwest Rolesville Granitic Outcrops. N.C. Natural Heritage Program, DPR, DENR, Raleigh. Smith, I.K., H.E. LeGrand, Jr., S.P. Hall, Z.E. Murrell, C.W. Nordman, and M.P. Schafale Regional Inventory for Critical Natural Areas, Wetland Ecosystems, and Endangered Species Habitats of the Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine Region: Phase 3. A/P Report No N.C. Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources. 127

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10 Wake County Natural Areas Inventory LAKE MIRL GRANITIC FLATROCKS Site Number: 20 Size: about 4 acres Site Significance: County Quadrangle: Knightdale Ownership: multiple private SIGNIFICANT FEATURES: The natural area, in two separate sections, contains examples of Granitic Flatrocks. These rocks support large populations of Small s portulaca (Portulaca smallii), a State Threatened plant. LANDSCAPE RELATIONSHIPS: The natural area lies roughly a mile northwest of the Hodges Mill Creek Granitic Flatrocks and 2 miles northwest of Temple Rock. SITE DESCRIPTION: There are two flatrock areas along the western side of Watkins Road (SR 2227), east of Raleigh and north of Knightdale. The southern outcrops lie both north and south of a creek, just southeast of Lake Mirl. In , no Small s portulaca (Portulaca smallii), a State Threatened plant, was found at this site. Now, there are literally thousands of Portulaca on the flatrocks on the north side of the creek. Rock spikemoss (Selaginella rupestris) also grows on this outcrop. The rocks south of the creek do not appear to have Portulaca. The northern outcrop lies north of Lake Mirl and is barely visible from Watkins Road. This outcrop is ringed by extensive stands of Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense) and is thus not overly scenic. But, as in a 1987 survey, there are a number of clumps of Portulaca ringing the flatrock. PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT: Both areas are in private ownership and are unprotected. As they are both small in acreage, land acquisition might not be overly expensive. However, any future road widening could jeopardize these outcrops, particularly the southern ones. Despite both outcrops lying close to a public road, there is little trash. However, dumping or throwing of trash and bottles is always a threat. Privet needs to be removed from the perimeter of the northern outcrop. NATURAL COMMUNITIES: Granitic Flatrock RARE PLANTS: Small s portulaca (Portulaca smallii) 129

11 REFERENCES: LeGrand, H.E., Jr Inventory of the natural areas of Wake County, North Carolina. Report to Triangle Land Conservancy, N.C. Natural Heritage Program, and Wake County Parks and Recreation Commission. LeGrand, H.E., Jr Lake Mirl Granitic Flatrocks notes from August 29, 2002 site visit. N.C. Natural Heritage Program, DPR, DENR, Raleigh. 130

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14 Wake County Natural Areas Inventory HODGES MILL CREEK GRANITIC FLATROCKS Site Number: 21 Site Significance: County Ownership: multiple private Size: about 12 acres Quadrangle: Knightdale SIGNIFICANT FEATURES: The site contains at least three separate granitic flatrocks, with one being several acres in size. LANDSCAPE RELATIONSHIPS: The site lies between Temple Rock (on the east) and the Lake Mirl Granitic Flatrocks (on the west). Each of those sites lies less than a mile from the edge of this site. SITE DESCRIPTION: A somewhat linear series of granitic flatrocks crops out on the south and west facing slopes above Hodges Mill Creek, in the vicinity of Watkins Road (SR 2227). One flatrock is perhaps 2 or 3 acres in size, making it one of the larger flatrocks in Wake County. However, a visit to the site in early spring 1987 revealed few granitic flatrock species present; no elf orpine (Diamorpha smallii) was noted. (This species would normally be visible by early spring). The forest surrounding the outcrops has mostly been cut-over in recent decades, particularly around the large flatrock. A considerable amount of fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica) and beargrass (Yucca filamentosa) occurs in the woods adjacent to several flatrocks. The rocks have the potential for a wide array of plants characteristic of flatrocks, such as fameflower (Talinum teretifolium) and Small s portulaca (Portulaca smallii), which would not have been visible in early spring. This site was not visited during the present inventory. Because most flatrocks re-surveyed during the 2002 inventory still retained their natural heritage values as compared with sites visited in the mid-1980's, the natural area is included here with the same significance (County) as reported in LeGrand (1987). PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT: The site is privately owned and exists in multiple tracts. This site is worthy of protection, and Costa (2001) indicates that Wake County is proposing a greenway corridor for Hodges Mill Creek, which could result in protection of the natural area. However, presently there is no protection for this site. NATURAL COMMUNITIES: Granitic Flatrock REFERENCES: Costa, L A Conservation Assessment for the Neuse River and Mark s Creek. Triangle Land Conservancy. LeGrand, H.E., Jr Inventory of the natural areas of Wake County, North Carolina. Report to Triangle Land Conservancy, N.C. Natural Heritage Program, and Wake County 133

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16 Wake County Natural Areas Inventory TEMPLE ROCK Site Number: 22 Size: about 7 acres Site Significance: Regional Quadrangle: Knightdale Ownership: Triangle Land Conservancy, private SIGNIFICANT FEATURES: Temple Rock is a granite flatrock, almost completely devoid of human disturbance, and which contains good examples of primary succession on bare rock. The State Threatened Small s portulaca (Portulaca smallii) is present on the outcrops. Other significant species found at the site include Carolina pink (Silene caroliniana) and cobweb skipper (Hesperia metea), both of which are Watch List species. LANDSCAPE RELATIONSHIPS: This site is located about a mile southeast of Hodges Mill Creek Granitic Flatrocks. Buffalo Creek lies about 2 miles to the east. SITE DESCRIPTION: Temple Rock lies at the end of a farm lane about 4 miles northeast of Knightdale, about 3/4-mile west-southwest of the intersection of Rolesville Road (SR 1003) and Watkins Road (SR 2227). It is an undisturbed exposure of the Rolesville Granite Batholith. The flatrock exposures are surrounded by second-growth upland oaks and shortleaf pines (Pinus echinata) and occasional Virginia red-cedar (Juniperus virginiana). Primary and secondary vegetation succession are well represented at this site. Typical zonation of plants, determined by depth of soil and presence of moisture, can be seen here. As is characteristic for such granite exposures, sand and soil have accumulated in scattered depressions on the rock. Some depressions seasonally collect rainwater. The driest, most exposed depressions, where sand has collected, support only patches of elf orpine (Diamorpha smallii). These red carpets of elf orpine, also called sedum or stonecrop, take on a showy appearance in early spring when white star-shaped flowers appear. Where soils are deeper (usually toward the center of a vegetation mat) other mosses (e.g., Polytrichum spp.) are found together with another showy outcrop plant, Appalachian sandwort (Minuartia glabra). Later in summer other herbs such as eggleaf rushfoil (Crotonopsis elliptica), pineweed (Hypericum gentianoides), and beargrass (Yucca filamentosa) can be seen blooming in the vegetation mats. Many of these plants are annuals that are restricted or closely correlated with granite rock exposures in the Carolinas and northern Georgia and Alabama. Growing on "islands" on the outcrop, where the deepest soils occur, are a variety of shrubs and trees. These include: Virginia red-cedar, scattered loblolly (Pinus taeda) and shortleaf pine, various oak species (Quercus spp.), shrubs such as sparkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum), highbush blueberry (V. corymbosum), and red chokeberry (Sorbus arbutifolia), dense herbaceous mats of broomsedge (Andropogon virginicus) and other grasses, greenbrier (Smilax spp.), poison-ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), blackberry (Rubus spp.), and coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens). 135

17 Other notable herbs at this site grow in the woods adjacent to the rock. These are bastardtoadflax (Comandra umbellata) and Carolina pink (Silene caroliniana). The latter is very scarce in North Carolina and occurs mainly in the Sandhills; it is a Watch List species. The site visit in 2002 for this inventory yielded a surprising finding. The State Threatened Small s portulaca (Portulaca smallii), not previously reported from the site, was found both on protected land and on unprotected areas of the flatrock. Also in 2002, a survey of butterflies was conducted at Temple Rock (Garriock 2002). The Watch List cobweb skipper (Hesperia metea) was found, the first recent report for Wake County. PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT: Nearly all of the flatrocks are owned by Triangle Land Conservancy (TLC), a gift from Mr. James Temple. The owner originally granted a conservation easement of 5 acres to The Nature Conservancy. The easement was conveyed to the TLC, who since that time has gained ownership of the tract. TLC manages the site and conducts tours to the flatrocks. Temple Rock is also a Registered Natural Heritage Area. Several small outcrops at the western end of the natural area remain in unprotected, private ownership. The largest Portulaca population exists on this private section. Acquisition of these flatrocks by TLC is encouraged to complete the protection of Temple Rock. The rock is in pristine condition, with essentially no trash. A small amount of logging has taken place over the years, and Hurricane Fran in 1996 blew down additional trees. However, this damage has had little or no impact to the flatrock flora. This is one of the most aesthetically pleasing flatrocks in the Piedmont. It does not contain, however, the extensive granitic flora present at several other Wake County sites, such as Mitchells Mill State Natural Area. NATURAL COMMUNITIES: Granitic Flatrock RARE PLANTS: Small s portulaca (Portulaca smallii); Watch List Carolina pink (Silene caroliniana) RARE ANIMALS: Watch List cobweb skipper (Hesperia metea) REFERENCES: Dalton, B.R Temple Rock. Natural Area Reconnaissance. N.C. Natural Heritage Program. Garriock, S Unpublished butterfly records. LeGrand, H.E., Jr Inventory of the natural areas of Wake County, North Carolina. Report to Triangle Land Conservancy, N.C. Natural Heritage Program, and Wake County Parks and Recreation Commission. Roe, C., J.H. Moore, and L. Mansberg Temple Rock. Registry Report. N.C. Natural Heritage Program. 136

18 Smith, I.K., H.E. LeGrand, Jr., S.P. Hall, Z.E. Murrell, C.W. Nordman, and M.P. Schafale Regional Inventory for Critical Natural Areas, Wetland Ecosystems, and Endangered Species Habitats of the Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine Region: Phase 3. A/P Report No N.C. Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources. 137