He noticed exceptional diversity in the tree, shrub and herb layers on the bluffs overlooking Steven's Creek, and documented six plant species which had been unknown in South Carolina up to that time.

A remarkable feature of this plant community is that a palmetto, Sabal minor, occurs near northern inland wildflowers such as Asarum canadense.

This is more typical of base-rich sites in Appalachian coves and the Midwest, where many plants rare to South Carolina are abundant.

These soils correspond most closely to the Cartecay and Toccoa series which are loam or sandy loam-textured Entisols.

[3] The majority of the preserve, away from the bluffs, is underlain by acidic sandy loam Ultisols of the Cataula, Hiwassee, Louisburg, and Pacolet series typical of the South Carolina Piedmont.