Here you enter a forest representing the western, mountainous part of the state. Notice the different types of trees, the fallen logs, ferns, wildflowers, and greenstone rocks which were formed by lava flows from volcanic activity about 850 million years ago. Breathe the fresh air. All these things are typical of the forests of Western Maryland.

If you are lucky enough to visit this area in spring, you may notice low growing flowers, known as spring ephemerals, that will thrive while the sun reaches the ground layer before the trees regain their leaves for the season. As the temperatures warm, these plants, that feed early season pollinators, will go dormant, not to be seen again until the following year.

 

 

 

Continue to Forest Succession