logged, but a number of the larger virgin cypress were left 

 standing. One of these measured over 100 ft tall and 7.2 ft dbh. 

 This is the best remaining example of what was once a major 

 forest type in the county. 



CT-B. TUPELO FOREST ( Nyssa aquatica /rare aquatic herbs. 



The tupelo stand occurs in the headwaters of Merchants Mill 

 Pond, in the transition area between the pond and Lassiter Swamp. 

 As such, it is apparently the result of the man-made impoundment. 

 Similar stands can be seen in the headwaters of other mill ponds 

 in nearby counties. 



However, it may to some extent duplicate conditions 

 occurring in the headwaters of relatively permanent beaver ponds 

 before extirpation of this mammal in historical times. The 

 natural relationships of the community will have to await long- 

 term successional studies on some tract where beaver are 

 protected and allowed to maintain ponds on a continuous basis. 

 The natural area would be an ideal site for this study, but 

 unfortunately, incomplete park boundaries in Lassiter Swamp 

 prevent protection of the present beaver population from 

 trapping. 



This community provides habitat for several endangered or 

 threatened species of plants. Most prominent of these are Hottonia 

 inf lata (Featherfoil) , Ranunculus f labellaris (Yellow water 

 crowfoot) and Glyceria pallida (Pale mannagrass) . This is one of 

 the two best locations in the US for Hottonia (the other is in 

 Nags Head Woods) , The largest recorded bloom of this species 

 occurred at Merchants Mill Pond in 1979. 



There is only one other location known in North Carolina 

 for water crowfoot, and the natural area is the only presently 

 known location for pale mannagrass. In addition, the uncommon 

 form of hornwort ( Ceratophyllum echinatum ) is found on this tract. 

 Red-shouldered hawks with young are seen here in spring, but it 

 is unknown whether they are nesting in Lassiter Swamp. On 13 

 May 1980 a pair of anhingas were observed in this area and another 

 was sighted here 11 April 1981 — very rare sightings this far 

 north. The least bittern has also occurred here. 



CT-C. OLD MILL POND WITH DIVERSE AQUATIC AND WETLAND PLANTS. 



This 170 yr old, 600 acre pond (Merchants Mill Pond) has 

 one of the most diverse assemblages of aquatic and wetland 

 plants in the geographic region. Rare aquatics include Hottonia , 

 Carex lupuliformis (not seen in this study, but reported from 

 the north shore by Gammon 1976) , Potomogeton confervoides , 

 Potomogeton f oliosus and Wolf f ia papulif era . Potomogeton 

 confervoides (Conferva pondweed) is recorded from only three 



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