THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 1, 1994 TAG: 9405280166
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Mary Reid Barrow
DATELINE: 940601 LENGTH: Medium
A blooming silky camellia is rarely seen in Virginia. The plant's northernmost location in the United States is here in a few southeastern Virginia counties and cities.
{REST} In fact, the wildflower is so unusual in the state that it is listed as a plant of special concern in ``Virginia's Endangered Species,'' a book about rare, threatened and endangered Virginia plants and animals.
Shufer, who lives in Blackwater, had discovered the silky camellia growing in the area a decade ago. It appears to thrive on Blackwater high land adjacent to North Landing River wetlands.
The area along the North Landing River is a valuable habitat that's full of other unusual species also in their northernmost location in the state. Both the Nature Conservancy and the state's Department of Conservation and Historic Resources have purchased various parcels of land along the river to protect these unusual species, of which the silky camellia is one.
Gary Williamson, an interpreter at Seashore State Park who was on the walk, said that silky camellias do not grow in the park but they have been found in areas along the Northwest River in Chesapeake and in the Dismal Swamp.
As the silky camellia thrives in the high land along the edge of swampy wetlands so do ticks, snakes, briars and brambles. We saw plenty of everything that day.
It takes not only the desire of a wildflower expert to search out the silky camellia in its forested habitat, but the eagle eye of one, too. It's a large shrub or bush that likes the shade of the understory of mature woods. Its blooms are fairly sparse and from afar, you might pass it by or think it was a dogwood tree, blooming weakly out of season.
I was reminded right away of a dogwood when the silky camellia was pointed out to me. Its open-faced flowers with a single layer of white petals look very much like a dogwood flower from afar.
I saw the difference, however when I examined the single flower close up. It is truly beautiful. Five white petals frame a rosy lavender center with a touch of yellow.
The leaves are the oblong shape of the leaves of a garden variety camellia, but there the similarity ends. The leaves are a little lighter green with obvious veins. They are pliable and feel slightly fuzzy.
The silky camellia's Latin name is Stewartia malacodendron and you might hear wildflower experts refer to it simply as ``Stewartia.'' The silky camellia and its cousin, the mountain camellia, were featured in an article in this month's Virginia Native Plant Society Bulletin.
It was written by George McLellan, a member of the John Clayton Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society on the peninsula. The chapter is considering a project to protect and preserve the two camellias.
The article recommends both camellias as excellent garden plants and lists the address of one mail order nursery: ArrowHead Nursery, 5030 Watia Road, Bryson City, N.C., 28713.
VICKIE SHUFER, WHO HAS BEEN gathering and eating wild foods since she was a child and in this area since 1979, has resurrected ``The Wild Foods Forum,'' a national newsletter on edible wild plants, wildflowers and herbs.
The newsletter, previously published in Georgia, had not come out for about year. Shufer picked up with the May/June 1994 issue and extended the subscriptions of those who were subscribers in 1993.
In her first issue, editor Shufer included articles on topics like Seed Saving, Grow Your Own Gourmet Herbs and Cat Plants. Articles are contributed by regional wild food experts across the United States. A calendar of wild food walks, feastsacross the nation and recipes will be regular features.
The 16-page newsletter will be published every two months and an annual subscription is $15. If you would like to see a copy of the May/June issue, send your name, address and $2 to Eco Images, P.O. Box 61413, Virginia Beach, Va., 23462.
P.S. JOIN VICKIE SHUFER FOR A SPRING WILDFLOWER WALK at 9 a.m. Saturday at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Silky camellias don't grow on the refuge but you are apt to see blue-eyed grass, cattails and thistles. Call 721-2412 for reservations.
LEARN HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN BASKETS at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Adam Thoroughgood House. The cost is $25 and materials are provided. Call 622-1211, Ext. 283, for reservations.
THE WORRELL BROS. SUMMER GOLF CLASSIC to benefit the Life-Saving Museum of Virginia will begin at 7 a.m. Tuesday at Hell's Point Golf Course.
The registration fee is $300 per four-player team which includes green fee, cart and dinner at Worrell Bros. Restaurant. Call 422-1587 for reservations.
{KEYWORDS} ENDANGERED SPECIES
by CNB