18S THE PLANT LIFE OF MARYLAND 



factor in this habitat is salt winds rather than salt soil. The con- 

 ditions in this district are however nowhere severe, as is shown by 

 the absence of trees deformed by the action of strong winds. It 

 is necessary in such situations to distinguish between trees which 

 are pioneers and those which are relicts, for on an eroding shore 

 the latter sort may be in the majority if they are rugged enough to 

 withstand the increased rigor of the conditions. This is true for 

 example of Spanish Oak and Chestnut Oak. On a peninsula nearly 

 surrounded by marsh in south-eastern Anne Arundel County were 

 found small poles of the Spanish, Post and Black Oaks, Scrub Pine 

 and Sassafras, all of which with the possible exception of the pines 

 are to be regarded as relicts. 



The vegetation of islands is sometimes of much interest and sig- 

 nificance. On account of the dynamic conditions already mentioned, 

 the islands of this district have in most cases formed part of the 

 mainland at no very remote date. This is true for instance of 

 Pooles Island, off the tip of Gunpowder Xeck. The most notable 

 feature of the vegetation of this island is the total absence of pines. 

 As already mentioned Yellow Locust is the dominant tree on the 

 inner strand ; farther in are Sweet Gum and scattered specimens of 

 Willows, Persimmon, Huckleberry, Sassafras, Swamp, Black and 

 Chestnut Oaks, Tulip-Tree, Eickory, Walnut and Black Gum. The 

 only conifer found on the island is the Red Cedar. In accord with 

 the position of the island well up toward the head of the Bay, the 

 marsh vegetation is not of a pronounced halophytic character, for 

 instance, Spartina polystacltya occurs rather than Spartina stricta, 

 and such salt lovers as Solidago sempervirens and Pluchea cam- 

 phorata are associated with Hibiscus and Typha. Spry Island, near 

 this, is a small low tract covered with grasses and sedges such as 

 Scirpus am&ricanus, Panicum virgatum, Spartina polystachya, with 

 some Hibiscus and Iva. No trees are present. 



St. George's Island, near the mouth of St. Mary's River in southern 

 St. Mary's County, presents several points of contrast to the fore- 

 going, in that the dominant tree is Loblolly Pine, wdiich occurs in 

 pure stands and also mixed with Sweet Gum or with Spanish Oak. 

 Part of the island is cleared and devoted to agricultural purposes, 

 while a large part is occupied by a marsh in which Distichlis spicata 



