Congaree National Park is a 26,692.6 acre park near Columbia and is the only national park in South Carolina. It preserves the largest tract old growth bottom hardwood forest left in the United States. Part 1
Congaree National Park Boardwalk
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson University
Congaree National Park is the largest complete expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest that remains in the southeastern United States.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson University
A Male Carolina Anole (Anolis carolinensis)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson University
A male Carolina Anole (Anolis carolinensis) will establish a territorial claim by extending its dewlap.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson University
Woodpecker Nest Hole
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson University
Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) and Spanish Moss (Tillandsia usneoides)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson University
Guts and sloughs are low channels in the forest that help move water throughout the floodplain.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson University
Water Tupelo (Nyssa aquatica) has a swollen trunk and grows only where water is plentiful.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson University
Virginia Sweetspire (Itea virginica)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson University
Tree Roots in the Congaree Swamp
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson University
Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson University
The bark of a Shagbark Hickory bark (Cayra ovata) peels away in large, flat, curving plates.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson University
Shagbark HIckory (Cayra ovata)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson University
Crayfish Chimney
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson University
Sensitive Fern (Onoclea sensibilis)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson University
Sensitive Fern Fertile Frond (Onoclea sensibilis)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson University
Narrowleaf Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson University
Loblolly Pines (Pinus taeda) can tolerate living in wet conditions better than many other species of pines.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson University
Forest Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson University
Forest Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria) Damage
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson University
Deer tracks in the Dorovan muck, a mixture of mud and old leaves, which is 8 feet thick. It helps filter the water and keeps the floodplain and Congaree River clean.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson University
Dead trees provide a habitat for insects and birdlife, especially woodpeckers
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson University
Cinnamon Fern (Osmundastrum cinnamomeum)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson University
Dead snags provide a home for a wide variety of insects
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson University
Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson University
Congaree National Park Forest
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson University
Butterweed (Packera glabella)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson University
Bald Cypress Knees (Taxodium distichum)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson University
