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Atlantic White Cedars and Giant Rhododendron Characterize Pawcatuck Borderlands

(c) Bill Toomey Bill Toomey
Rhododendron Sanctuary, Voluntown Rhododendron

Did you know….

That Atlantic white cedar and giant rhododendron are found in uncommon abundance in the Pawcatuck Borderlands? Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) is a wetland tree that is restricted to coastal and near-coastal areas from New Hampshire to Florida. Not a true cedar like the Arbor Vitae (Thuja occidentalis) found on many lawns and gardens, Atlantic white cedar is actually a cypress.

In the Borderlands, white cedar is host to the globally uncommon butterfly Hessel’s hairstreak (Mitoura hesseli), and white cedar swamps with spaghnum moss are good environments for the globally rare dragonfly banded boghaunter (Williamsonia litneri). Rare plants like the green adders mouth (Malaxis unifolia) are also found in Atlantic white cedar swamps in the Borderlands.

Atlantic white cedar was probably never an abundant tree before European settlement, but it declined even further once early settlers recognized its rot-resistant qualities and harvested it in great numbers for fencing and shingles. Also, red maple began to crowd out many Atlantic white cedar forests, shading out cedar seedlings.

Giant rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum) is a beautiful flowering evergreen shrub that is a familiar landscaping plant through out southern New England. It is native to the Borderlands and is only found in association with Atlantic white cedar in southeast Connecticut and southwest Rhode Island.

Four good examples of cedar swamp are found in the Borderlands: Pachaug Great Meadow, Rhododendron Sanctuary, and Bell Cedar Swamp. Only the Bell Cedar Swamp is entirely in private ownership- the other three are permanently protect by state ownership and Conservancy ownership.

The Conservancy is discussing conservation options with most of the owners in the Bell Cedar Swamp in North Stonington, Connecticut. Stay tuned to this website for more information on this important biological protection priority.