Because the Park's upland and floodplain forests, meadows, wetlands and streams have remained largely wild and undisturbed for decades, it provides exceptional habitat for breeding birds and other wildlife species. Open meadows are increasingly rare in the Piedmont region. But Little Bennett contains numerous wet and dry meadows, old farm fields and pastures that support an abundant amount of wildlife, bird and insect life.

As seen below, Little Bennett possesses numerous habitats including wetland, meadow, deciduous and coniferous forests.

Rare and Uncommon Plants
Several rare to uncommon vegetation types and plant species in the park are noteworthy and require protection. For example, large populations of ground pine/running cedar uncommon in Montgomery County are found in the high quality forested area east of Sopers Branch. High quality skunk cabbage is found in a large swamp complex along Sopers Branch. It is another fine example of a native plant community now uncommon in Montgomery County.

Maryland state-listed rare, threatened and uncommon plants found in the Park include: butternut tree (Juglans cinerea); (flowering and fruiting) American chestnut trees; the state threatened fringe-tip closed gentian, and purple fringeless orchid (Platanthera peramoena). In all, Maryland classifies 2 plant species found in the Park as threatened, 1 as rare, and 9 as watchlist plant species.

Non-Native Invasive Plants
Compared to other Montgomery County parks, Little Bennett has a relatively low-level of infestation of non-native invasive (NNI) plants. However, NNIs have been steadily increasing their coverage over the past 10 years and represent a threat that must be carefully addressed if we are to preserve Little Bennett's rich natural diversity.

Please see the Vegetation section of our website for further information about any of these subjects.

Non-native invasive plants, such as this patch of multi-flora rose near Kingsley Trail,
increasingly threaten the Park, especially its meadows, wetlands and forest edges.