Michigan Botanical Society,

Southwestern Chapter

The Southwestern Chapter, based in Kalamazoo, serves amateur and professional botanists and nature enthusiasts in the southwest corner of Michigan.

Field Trip

Southern Hardwood Swamp

Bailey Nature Preserve

Barry County Parks & Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy

Mitch Lettow, Stewardship Director

Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy

Saturday September 13, 2025, 10 AM

Southern Hardwood Swamp is a forested wetland dominated by a variety of lowland hardwoods that occur on poorly drained mineral or organic soils throughout southern Michigan. The Southern Hardwood Swamp at Bailey Preserve receives sufficient groundwater inflow to maintain saturated conditions throughout the year, fostering the accumulation of peat and supporting a variety of trees, shrubs and herbs.

The canopy is comprised of Acer rubrum (red maple) and Betula alleghaniensis (yellow birch). Ulmus americana (American elm), Carpinus caroliniana (hornbeam) and Prunus serotina (black cherry) are common. Characteristic tall shrubs include Cornus foemina (gray dogwood), C. sericea, Ilex verticillata (Michigan holly), Lindera benzoin, Toxicodendron vernix, and Vaccinium corymbosum. The ground layer is dominated by coarse, dense vegetation. Common species include Carex lacustris, Eutrochium maculatum (joe-pye-weed), Galium asprellum (rough bedstraw), Impatiens capensis, Leersia oryzoides (cut grass), Onoclea sensibilis (sensitive fern), Osmundastrum cinnamomeum, Persicaria arifolia (tear-thumb), Symplocarpus foetidus, Thelypteris palustris, and Typha latifolia. Shaded hummocks support species such as Maianthemum canadense (Canada mayflower, Mitchella repens (partridge-berry), Trientalis borealis (star-flower), northern Carex disperma (sedge) and Mitella nuda (naked miterwort).

Swamps are wet and muddy, so rubber boots are recommended. Walking in the swamp will be slow and muddy. Insect repellent, sunscreen, water as well as suitable clothing are suggested. The trip difficulty level is rated moderate but may be difficult in places.

As SWMLC’s Stewardship Director, Mitch focuses on restoring natural processes and biodiversity on their many preserves, as well as learning from and working with many volunteers and community members who are critical to long-term stewardship and conservation. Mitch has a B.S. and M.S. in Environmental Biology/Zoology and Entomology from Michigan State University.

Directions: The address is 5175 E Baseline Rd, Bellevue, MI 49021. From the Kalamazoo area, take Gull Road (M-343) northeast to Richland MI, then take M-89 east to 48th St. Turn left (north) and proceed 0.7 miles to Kirby Rd (R Dr. N). Turn right (east) and proceed 3.4 miles to Bedford Rd N (M-37). Turn left (north) and proceed 1.3 miles to Hutchinson Rod (3 ½ Mile Rd). Turn right (north) and proceed 1.8 miles to E Baseline Rd. Turn right (east) and proceed 2.3 miles to the Preserve. The coordinates are 42.421519596206736, -85.18371667245471.