Pipewort Pond

What to See: Plants and Animals

When brimming with water, Pipewort Pond supports a lush growth of yellow pond lilies and other wetland plants. When waters recede in late summer, exposing an expansive shoreline of moist sand and peat muck flats, plants that are typically rare within our borders thrive. Robbins spikerush, dwarf umbrella-sedge, long-beaked baldrush, Carolina yellow-eyed grass and pipewort—for which the pond is named and appears as a million tiny, scattered hairpins on the water's surface—can be found in here even though they are more familiar to the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain states. Carnivorous plants—such as the pitcher plant and purple bladderwort—are also found in the more open shallow water. In the more coarsely vegetated boggy spots, you'll find large cranberry, winterberry, and poison sumac.

As for animals, the site is very attractive to herons, ducks, and shorebirds. Birdwatchers have spotted Sandhill Cranes from the short boardwalk that takes visitors to the wetland edge. While marsh nesting species are found year round, the shifting water levels in the spring and fall bring a good number of migrating shorebirds and waterfowl.

A developed trail and boardwalk that leads to the wetland edge make for an easy, pleasant stroll through the preserve. Keep a look out for poison sumac found throughout the area.

For More Information

Division of Nature Preserves