Woodland Loop Trail

Text by by William R. Adams, Former Park Naturalist

6 White Mulberry (Morus alba)

Introduced long ago in the U.S., this rapidly growing tree is now abundant throughout the Southeast.  The purplish fruits are enjoyed by birds and people alike.  Just ahead, the trail makes a detour around the head of a drainage ditch and resumes again in the woods on the other side.  Notice the high bank on your right as you make the turn.  This levee was designed to protect the town of Clarksville from flooding.  Completed in the years following the 1937 flood, it was constructed to be two feet higher than that record crest.

7Jerusalem Artichoke or Sunchoke (Helianthus tuberosus)

In the clearing just ahead is a large stand of Sunchokes.  The tuberous root of this tall, rough stemmed flower was a staple of the Native American diet. It was eaten raw or cooked, much like a potato.  Look for the large yellow flowers in Summer and Fall.

8 Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)

Notice the short plant with heart shaped leaves. The root of Wild Ginger was sometimes used as a ginger substitute, but does not taste exactly like Chinese ginger. It also contains

aristolochic acid, which has been shown to have anti-tumor activity.

9 Pawpaw (Asimina triloba)

This tree with large leaves is the northernmost representative of a chiefly tropical family.  A large edible fruit is sometimes produced that is extremely sweet and slightly laxative.  The powdered seeds have insecticidal properties and were once used to control head lice in children.

10 Lower Woodland    -    Note the abundance of driftwood

A short way back you came down the steep bank that separates the upper woodland from the lower woodland.  The lower woodland usually forms a flat bench subject to flooding once or twice a year.  Species diversity is lower here than in the upper woodland.  The understory is often densely covered with driftwood and stinging Wood Nettle (Laportea canadensis), making off trail walking difficult.

            Cane Run - Trail along side this                        When the trail loop is flooded, hikers

              stream is seasonally flooded.                        may walk back at the base of the levee.

As you approach the Ohio River you will notice an old gravel road bed which may be followed back to the Interpretive Center.  Many short side trails can be taken that will lead down onto the fossil beds.  Corals, crinoids, trilobites and other fossilized creatures may be found there. 

Created January 11, 2010