Orchid Alley in the Lowcountry

Common Grass Pink (Calopogon tuberosus) and Hooded Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia minor), photo by Jeff Jackson

Description:  On June 14, 2025 the Upstate Chapter will visit the Lowcountry!  Jeff Jackson, former President of the Lowcountry Chapter will show us some of his favorite wildflower and orchid sites. Expect to see rare and unusual plants!

You will be on a botanical whirlwind tour of the Francis Marion National Forest. We'll visit several sites to see various habitats, such as cypress domes and Longleaf Pine savannas. And there will be species galore...carnivorous plants, milkweeds, orchids and more!

Location: Our exploration will begin at 9:30 am from the Halfway Creek Trailhead.  The parking for this location is the Halfway Creek Trailhead which is marked as such on Google maps. (It is a parking area for the Palmetto Trail on Halfway Creek Road.)

Need to Know:  Driving time is nearly four hours.  We expect to finish our exploration by 2:30 pm.  Bring water, lunch,  bug repellent, hat and suncreen. Prepare for the possibility of heat, bugs, and maybe mud. Bring your cameras and field guides.  Be prepared to be wowed!