Genevieve Wall of Nature Forward led a pleasant hike in Patapsco State Park, focused on Cascade Falls, a small waterfall in a creek that feeds the Patapsco River.
This 3+ mile hike was a bit more rugged than Nature Forward’s usual local forays, with a bit of rock scramble and several stream crossings. It was well scouted by Genevieve, so I had my stick and my good boots.
The woods are dominated by American Beech; we talked about two pathogens of this species, causing Beech Bark Disease (BBD) and Beech Leaf Disease (BLD). BBD was a new one on me, as it has not yet been reported in Fairfax County; however, it has been gradually spreading south.
The forb layer in this tract, unfortunately, shows a lot of Wavyleaf Basketgrass, today in abundant seed.
At the falls, I believe that I spotted Snakewort (Conocephalum salebrosum) clinging to the damp rocks.