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NC Wildflowers: Sweetshrub LbNA #68333

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:May 10, 2015
Location:
City:Valdese
County:Burke
State:North Carolina
Boxes:1
Planted by:LittleHoot
Found by: Johnson6
Last found:Sep 16, 2015
Status:F
Last edited:Sep 17, 2015
DISCLAIMER:
The pond at the base of the falls is a popular, if not-exactly-legal swimming hole for locals. It can be very busy at times, so seek with caution and guile, if needed. Some stout rock-hopping shoes and skill, or a willingness to get your ankles wet are needed (this is an adventure after all!). Depending on rainfall and density of muggles, this might be a moderately easy, or very difficult stamp to get –use good judgment! The park is very lovely and worth a visit in any case. Please enjoy (:

CLUES:
Park at McGalliard falls. Follow the asphalt path from the parking lot across the concrete bridge.

Just past the bridge, turn onto the dirt path to the left and follow it to the old gristmill.

Turn left directly after the mill onto the steep path down to the base of the falls.

At the banks of the pond, find a rocky path across the stream to the island cradled between two branches of the creek (I find the easiest path during low water levels to be going far right across a line of bigger rocks, rather than trying to pick over the shallower but looser rocks to the left).

Some social paths crisscross the island. The best-traveled is on the far edge: cross the open area with rocks closest to the falls until a path opens to the right: take that path.

At the other end of the island, farthest form the falls, you can find this plant flowering from late spring through mid-summer. Find the last big pine on the island, and look at its base on the side closest to the creek. A likeness of this plant hides beneath some underbrush and leaf cover.

One last note: If the creek has risen or crossing is otherwise not an option, you can still enjoy this flower growing by the observation deck on the "parking lot side" of the falls. This particular bush actually seems to have a stronger perfume than the ones on the island, if people have left any flowers on it to enjoy.

For more info on Sweetshrub, Visit:
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/576875/sweet-shrub
http://www.smokymountainnews.com/archives/item/8185-sweet-bubby-bush
http://davidson.libguides.com/content.php?pid=596768