Calcareous Bog

Part of Hall of New York State Environment.

Museum case containing illustrations, graphics and models explaining the relations of plants to geology and soil in calcareous bog terrain.

This calcareous, or lime, bog is not far from the marl pond, and traces of marl may be found along the drainage brook. The showy lady’s slipper, probably once occupying such a bog but long since exterminated in this region, occurs also in western China. The larch trees (Larix) and tussock sedge (Carex stricta) are not limited in the choice of soil.

The soil profile is entirely humus. Calcareous bogs or swamps in northeastern United States are frequently “mined” for humus.