Etna Fringed Gentian Area

Description Fringed gentian (Gentianopsis crinita) is a locally rare species in Tompkins County and is scarce in New York State. It is found on Cornell land that is managed primarily for research purposes by Cornell Plantations and by Cornell's departments in ecology and systematics, natural resources, and entomology. Fringed gentians thrive in open meadows where competition from other meadow species is limited, in seasonally flooded or fairly sterile soils, and sometimes in areas where the topsoil has been scraped away. Read More... On Etna Vegetation and Geology

Location The sites are approximately 5 miles north of Cornell. Take Forest Home Drive to Warren Road. Continue on Warren Road for 1 mile to Hanshaw Road. Turn right. Continue on Hanshaw Road when it makes a 90-degree turn to the left 2 miles ahead.   To reach the Fringed Gentian Natural Area, continue on Hanshaw Road. When you cross Route 13, check your odometer. Fringed gentians are most reliably abundant 0.85 mile ahead along the left side of Hanshaw Road. Park on the roadside. How to reach specific areas at Etna View Full Size Location Map

Maps

Overview Boundary, Parking, Structures, Contour Lines, Streams and Wetlands. Download Printable PDF Version of Overview Map Download Printable PDF Version of Closeup Map			Soils Boundary, Streams, Wetlands, Soil Survey Data (1965). Download Printable PDF Version of Map
Aerial Photo Boundary, Color aerial photo (1995) and site photos. Download Printable PDF Version of Map			Geology    Boundary, Streams, Wetlands, Bedrock and Surface Materials. Download Printable PDF Version of Map

Biological Attributes

Vegetation Communities A list and description of vegetation communities found within the site.

Plant Species Please contact the Natural Areas Director at 607-255-9638 for a complete list of plant species identified within the site.

Property History and Gift Acknowledgement Fringed Gentian Natural Area (31 acres) acquired in 1957.   Radio Lab Fields (151 acres) acquired in 1957.   Cornell Experimental Ponds acquired in 1957. References Robertson, Heather J. 1992. A Life History Approach to the Study of Plant Species Rarity: Gentianopsis crinita in New York State. Ph.D. dissertation, Cornell University.