The vascular flora of Wolf Cove, Franklin County, Tennessee

Wolf Cove is a gorge on the Cumberland Plateau in Franklin County, Tennessee. The vascular flora of the gorge and surrounding Plateau surface was sampled for two full growing seasons in 1985 and 1986. A total of 812 collections were made comprising 576 species and lesser taxa in 327 genera and 107 families. Two hundred fourteen county records were established. Nine taxa are listed as Threatened or Special Concern in Tennessee. Three of these taxa are Federally listed in Category 2. Status reports on each of these taxa were prepared.

Distributions of the taxa were determined and the floristic elements ascertained. The flora has a strong influence of southern intraneous taxa and northern extraneous taxa, leading to insights on the Cumberland Plateau's role as a major pathway in Pleistocene plant migrations.

The Wolf Cove study area has been under consideration for acquisition by the State of Tennessee as a State Natural Area. The current landowners have designated it as part of the Carter Mountain Wildlife Management Area, a private holding utilized by hunters and trail bike riders. It is expected that this study will be useful in determing the future status of the study area.