Kettle Hole Bog

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One of the more interesting areas of the Preserve is a small kettle hole bog, a relict of ancient glacial origin. Carnivorous plants and some of the other unique flora found here are limited to bogs and found nowhere else.

Goldthread — Goldthread, Coptis trifolia, in bloom, a common groundcover in the bog.

Kettle Hole Bog — The fragrant rosy azalea, Rhododendron prinophyllum, blooms in late May here in the Catskills.

Sarracenia purpurea — The waxy red-purple flower of the pitcher plant, Sarracenia purpurea, is the star of the bog flowers.

Kettle Hole Bog — Miniature dogwood blossoms on these bunchberries, Cornus canadensis, carpet the edge of the bog.

Kettle Hole Bog — Labrador tea and pitcher plants bloom together.

Kettle Hole Bog — Sarracenia purpurea, pitcher plant, flowering high above the pitchers below.

Kettle Hole Bog — Rhododendron groenlandicum, commonly called Labrador tea

Kettle Hole Bog — Maianthemum stellatum. starry Solomon’s seal

Kettle Hole Bog — Ilex (formerly Nemopanthus) montanum blooms with tiny stars.

The hole in the middle of the bog. — This is all that is left of the hole in the kettlehole bog that has been gradually filling in since the ice age.

Virginia chain fern — This uncommon fern, Virginia chain fern, Anchistea virginica, is only found locally here in the bog.

Habenaria lacera — The delicate ragged fringed orchid, Platanthera lacera, can be found in many different habitats, but seems especially at home here in the bog.

Rhododendrum periclymenoides — Large pink blossoms of rose azalea are not only lovely to see but their clove scent fills the air.

Kettle Hole Bog — These lovely pitcher plants, Sarracenia purpurea, lure insects to death by drowning.

Drosera rotundifolia — Round-leaved sundew, Drosera rotundifolia, is another carnivorous plant found in the bog.

Kalmia polifolia — Bog laurel, Kalmia polifolia, looks like a miniature version of its cousins sheep laurel and mountain laurel.

Andromeda glaucophylla — The bluish green tint of the bog rosemary, Andromeda polifolia, leaves makes it possible to find the tiny pink bells amongst the tangled bog shrublets.

Shelby and Jarvis Cromwell happily exiting the kettle hole bog barefoot on the Neversink Association June 2015 tour. Photo taken by Pat Wellington

Vaccinium macrocarpon — A large cranberry, Vaccinium boreale, grows in the middle of the bog.

The bog trail. — The trail to the bog protects the ferns and other vegetation.

The bog bench — This is where you take your shoes off.

Chamaedaphne calyculata — Leatherleaf, Chamaedaphne calyculata, colors in fall

Labrador tea

Chamaedaphne calyculata