Kettle Hole Bog

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

The fragrant rosy azalea, Rhododendron prinophyllum, blooms in late May here in the Catskills.

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

Miniature dogwood blossoms on these bunchberries, Cornus canadensis, carpet the edge of the bog.

Labrador tea and pitcher plants bloom together.

Sarracenia purpurea, pitcher plant, flowering high above the pitchers below.

Rhododendron groenlandicum, commonly called Labrador tea

Maianthemum stellatum. starry Solomon’s seal

Ilex (formerly Nemopanthus) montanum blooms with tiny stars.

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

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

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

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

These lovely pitcher plants, Sarracenia purpurea, lure insects to death by drowning.

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

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

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.