Cedar Glades

Cedar Glade

Erin Anfinson

Stones River National Battlefield is home to limestone cedar glades that are found primarily in the Central Basin of middle Tennessee. These fragile ecosystems support highly specialized plant species, many of which exist nowhere else in the world. Cedar glades have very thin soil with exposed, rocky patches surrounded by red cedar trees. During the summer, cedar glades are hot and dry.

 

Cedar Glade Zones

MTSU

Several plant species grow only in cedar glades. These species are called endemic and only live in that habitat. These plants develop characteristics which help them survive. Some plants in the cedar glades produce long root systems that grow through cracks and fissures in the rock to find water. Others have water storage structures such as fleshy leaves. A few grow shallow roots outwards to absorb surface water. To learn more visit Middle Tennessee State University Center for Cedar Glade Studies https://www.mtsu.edu/glade-center/.

 

Tennessee Cone Flower

NPS

The formerly endangered Tennessee coneflower Echinacea tennesseensis is one of many plants that live in the cedar glades. The combined efforts of many individuals and organizations, including the National Park Service led to a remarkable recovery resulting in delisting the coneflower in 2011.

 

Pyne's Ground Plum

NPS

The Pynes’s Ground Plum Astragalus bibullatus was placed on the Endangered Species List in 1991. It is a rare member of the pea family. Populations of this plant were reestablished on the battlefield.

 

NPS

Stones River National Battlefield Cedar Glade and Barrens were designated as a Tennessee State Natural Area in 2003.

 

Cedar Glades are Protected Areas

NPS

Stones River National Battlefield protects both the natural and cultural resources of the park, including the fragile and unique cedar glade habitat and the specially adapted plant species. The glades are significant to our battle story, helping us interpret one of the biggest, bloodiest, and most important battles of the Civil War.