Located in Floyd County, near Rome in northwest Georgia, Black's Bluff includes 263 acres of exceptional botanical diversity. The area's biodiversity was first documented in the 19th century by botanists from the Vanderbilt's Biltmore Estate as they ranged out from Asheville, North Carolina to record regional flora of the southeastern United States. Described as a massive natural rock garden, the site is a rich oak-hickory forest growing on a steep outcrop of 500 million year old Conasauga limestone along the Coosa River.

The site's unique structure and composition account for its vaunted diversity of plant life. The steep north face remains cooler and moister than surrounding areas, receiving less sunshine.  Combined with the alkalinity of the lime-rich soil, the microclimate provides perfect growth conditions for rare and unusual plants like the endangered large-flowered skullcap, a perennial herb in the mint family, and the state-endangered limerock arrowwood, which grows almost exclusively in northwest Georgia.

The preserve is also home to a number of northern plants usually not found in the south, including Dutchman's breeches. Local fauna is an additional attraction. A number of salamander species inhabit the forest and streams, and cave salamanders dwell in the limestone caverns.

A walking trail opens the site to visitors. Volunteer work parties regularly support staff in the management of the preserve, which may be the first in Georgia to be fully protected through Conservancy efforts.

Nature picture credits (left to right): Large-flowered skullcap © Dennis D. Horn; Black's Bluff © Christi Lambert/TNC