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Acadia National Park
Plants
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20081030082341im_/http://www.nps.gov/ner/templates/images/graphics/spacer.gif) |
![Sea lavender Sea lavender](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20081030082341im_/http://www.nps.gov/acad/naturescience/images/sealav.jpg) |
Acadia NP photo | Sea lavender |
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There has been a long history of botanical exploration in and around Acadia National Park. In the late 1880s, students from Harvard University made their way to Acadia from Boston via train and steamship each summer in search of the unique plants found in bogs, on mountain summits and the many habitats in between. The Champlain Society, as they called themselves, published "Flora of Mount Desert Island, Maine," authored by Rand and Redfield, in 1894. This benchmark publication cataloged vascular plants, mosses, algae and lichens.
Acadia has more than 1,100 vascular plant species that represent a wide diversity of plant life adapted to thrive in acidic, low nutrient bogs and rocky, treeless mountain summits. Grasses and wildflowers abound in park meadows, and lakes and ponds are home to emergent and floating aquatic vegetation.
Almost one quarter of Acadia's flora is non-native, and about 25 species are state-listed rare plants. It is evident that 300 years of human settlement and land use have changed the composition of plant communities throughout Acadia National Park.
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![Acadia NP Resource Management Acadia NP Resource Management](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20081030082341im_/http://www.nps.gov/ner/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/ACAD_ACRM.jpg) Acadia NP Resource Management Preserving the integrity of natural and cultural resources, and quality visitor experiences. more... | | ![Schoodic Education and Research Center Schoodic Education and Research Center](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20081030082341im_/http://www.nps.gov/ner/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/ACAD_sercHL.jpg) Schoodic Education and Research Center (SERC) Facilitating research and education throughout Acadia National Park more... | |
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![CCC members take a break from their work to admire the view along the ocean. CCC members take a break from their work to admire the view along the ocean.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20081030082341im_/http://www.nps.gov/ner/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/ACAD_ccc1.jpg) |
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Did You Know?
The Civilian Conservation Corps performed important work in Acadia National Park, including clearing brush, setting stones, and constructing Seawall Campground. Today park headquarters is located in the former CCC camp.
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Last Updated: December 28, 2007 at 10:31 EST |