Central Appalachian / Piedmont Basic Mesic Forest (Twinleaf - Blue Cohosh Type) - CEGL008412

The forested, north-facing slopes on the Virginia side of the Potomac Gorge are well known for their mature basic mesic forests.  The species visible in this photo - toad trillium (Trillium sessile), squirrel-corn (Dicentra canadensis), spring-beauty (Claytonia virginica var. virginica), yellow trout-lily (Erythronium americanum ssp. americanum), and harbinger-of-spring (Erigenia bulbosa) are all abundant in the rich herb layers of these forests.