Sightings – Page 16 – Sharon Friends of Conservation

Cardinal Flower – 8/13/20

Observer: Rita Corey Observation Date: 8/13/20 Observation Time: 3:15 p.m. Observation Location: Morse St. Common Name: Cardinal Flower Scientific Name: Lobelia cardinalis Comments: Cardinal flowers are typically found near water. These were growing in a dry streambed. Since most insects find it difficult to navigate the long tubular flowers, cardinal flowers depend on hummingbirds, which feed on the nectar, for pollination. Its common name alludes to the […]

False Puffball Slime Mold – 8/13/20

Observer: Rita Corey Observation Date: 8/13/20 Observation Time: 2:45 p.m. Observation Location: Rattlesnake Hill Common Name: False Puffball Slime Mold Scientific Name: Enteridium lycoperdon Comments: Slime molds are neither plants nor animals. They are members of the phylum Amoebozoa, and are related to amoeba. Slime molds are aggregates of single-celled organisms. Some kinds of slime molds can grow up to 9 feet long! Slime molds typically aggregate to […]

Heller’s Rosette Grass – 8/13/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/13/20 Observation Time: 2:25 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Rd. Common Name: Heller’s Rosette Grass Scientific Name: Dichanthelium oligosanthes Comments: I identified this peculiar clump of grass using a cool app called Seek. It sprang up in a cleared and mulched area where there was no competition from other grass. More Information: Friends of the Wildflower Garden

American Burnweed – 8/13/20

Observer: Rita Corey Observation Date: 8/13/20 Observation Time: 2:00 p.m. Observation Location: Rattlesnake Hill Common Name: American burnweed (a.k.a. fireweed) Scientific Name: Erechtites hieraciifolius Comments: Burnweed is a native annual in the daisy family, Asteraceae. American Burnweed is an underrated and unappreciated wild edible. Although Burnweed has no history as a food source here in America, everywhere else in the world where it grows it is eaten. […]

Spotted Wintergreen – 8/13/20

Observer: Rita Corey Observation Date: 8/13/20 Observation Time: 1:55 p.m. Observation Location: Mountain St. Common Name: Spotted Wintergreen Scientific Name: Chimaphila maculata Comments: Spotted wintergreen is a highly recognizable understory species having variegated leaves with pale green veins. It is endangered in Maine. More Information: Go Botany

Tree Cricket – 8/13/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/13/20 Observation Time: 1:52 p.m. Observation Location: Mountain St. Common Name: Tree Cricket Scientific Name: Oecanthus spp. Comments: The tree cricket is also known as poor man’s thermometer, because if you count the number of chirps in 15 seconds and add 37 you get the temperature close to the Fahrenheit temperature outdoors. More Information: Wikipedia

Halberd-leaved Tearthumb – 8/13/20

Observer: Rita Corey Observation Date: 8/13/20 Observation Time: 1:50 p.m. Observation Location: Rattlesnake Hill Common Name: Halberd-leaved Tearthumb Scientific Name: Persicaria arifolia Comments: Halberd-leaved tearthumb has distinctly arrow-shaped leaves with outward-pointing projections at the base. The stem is covered with small downward-curving barbs that gives this small annual wetland vine its common name. A halberd is a medieval battleaxe. More Information: Go Botany

Downy Rattlesnake Plantain – 8/13/20

Observer: Rita Corey Observation Date: 8/13/20 Observation Time: 1:40 p.m. Observation Location: Rattlesnake Hill Common Name: Downy Rattlesnake Plantain Orchid Scientific Name: Goodyera pubescens Comments: Please don’t dig up wildflowers. More Information: Virginia Native Plant Society

Scarlet Tanager – 8/6/20

Observer: Deborah Radovsky Observation Date: 8/6/20 Observation Time: 7:15 a.m. Observation Location: Rock Ridge Cemetery Common Name: Scarlet Tanager Scientific Name: Piranga olivacea Comments: Scarlet tanagers are coomon in Sharon, but seldom seen. Their woodland habitat obscures them in the leaves. To find them, learn their song and follow your ears as you wlak along trails through the woods. Check out the trail maps on this web […]

Spotted Sandpiper – 8/6/20

Observer: Deborah Radovsky Observation Date: 8/6/20 Observation Time: 7:00 a.m. Observation Location: Lake Massapoag Common Name: Spotted Sandpiper Scientific Name: Actitis macularius Comments: The Spotted Sandpiper is the most widespread breeding sandpiper in North America. Female Spotted Sandpipers sometimes practice an unusual breeding strategy called polyandry, where a female mates with up to four males, each of which then cares for a clutch of eggs. More Information: All About […]

Cedar Waxwing – 8/2/20

Observer: Deb Radovsky Observation Date: 8/2/20 Observation Time: 6:40 a.m. Observation Location: along Lake Massapoag Common Name: Cedar Waxwing Scientific Name: Bombycilla cedrorum Comments: Cedar Waxwings typically travel in groups. More Information: All About Birds

Summer Grape – 7/12/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/12/20 Observation Time: 7:15 p.m. Observation Location: along Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Summer Grape Scientific Name: Vitis aestivalis Comments: Vitis aestivalis, the summer grape, or pigeon grape, is a species of grape native to eastern North America from southern Ontario east to Maine, west to Oklahoma, and south to Florida and Texas. It is a vigorous vine, growing to 10 m or more […]

Common Mugwort – 7/12/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/12/20 Observation Time: 7:10 p.m. Observation Location: along Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Common Mugwort Scientific Name: Artemesia vulgaris Comments: Common mugwort is used as a culinary herb and medicinally throughout the world. More Information: Botanical.com and Wikipedia

Spotted Knapweed – 7/12/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/12/20 Observation Time: 7:00 p.m. Observation Location: along Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Spotted Knapweed Scientific Name: Centaurea maculosa Comments: Spotted knapweed is not native to North America (it came from Europe). It is poisonous to other plants, creating barren areas where only knapweed grows. It can be a skin irritant. More Information: namethatplant.net

Lanceleaf Tickseed – 7/12/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/12/20 Observation Time: 6:55 p.m. Observation Location: along Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Lanceleaf Tickseed Scientific Name: Coreopsis lanceolata Comments: This native perennial wildflower thrives in poor, sandy or rocky soils with good drainage. It is tolerant of heat, humidity and drought. Lanceleaf tickseed features solitary, yellow, daisy-like flowers (1-2″ diameter) with eight yellow rays (toothed at the tips) and flat […]

Black-eyed Susan – 7/12/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/12/20 Observation Time: 6:50 p.m. Observation Location: along Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Black-eyed Susan Scientific Name: Rudbeckia hirta Comments: Related to cone flowers, this native biennial forms a rosette of leaves the first year, followed by flowers the second year. It is covered with hairs that give it a slightly rough texture. More Information: USDA and wildflower.org

Oriental Bittersweet – 7/12/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/12/20 Observation Time: 6:45 p.m. Observation Location: along Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Oriental Bittersweet Scientific Name: Celastrus orbiculatus Comments: This non-native invasive species comes from Asia. It grows as a vine that smothers plants and can topple trees due to its weight. It was introduced into the United States around 1860 as an ornamental plant. In fall, it produces attractive red and […]

Deer-tongue Grass – 7/12/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/12/20 Observation Time: 6:40 p.m. Observation Location: along Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Deer-tongue Grass Scientific Name: Dichanthelium clandestinum Comments: Deer-tongue grass is a perennial cool-season grass native to eastern North America. It can grow up to 4′ tall. It is tolerant of low pH soils, high concentrations of aluminum, drought conditions, and infertile soils. For these reasons, it is used in […]

Canada Wild Lettuce – 7/12/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/12/20 Observation Time: 6:40 p.m. Observation Location: along Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Canada Wild Lettuce Scientific Name: Lactuca canadensis Comments: This edible plant can grow to over six feet tall. It has leaves that are shaped like those of a dandelion, and produces dandelion-like yellow flowers. More Information: Wikipedia and iNaturalist

Large Lace-border Moth – 7/11/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/11/20 Observation Time: 3:40 p.m. Observation Location: along Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Large Lace-border Moth Scientific Name: Scopula limboundata Comments: Large Lace-border Moths rest with their wings flat making it easy to admire the creamy hues of its wings. There is some variety within the species. Some individuals are mostly white with faint brown waves at the edges of the […]

Red Chanterelle Mushroom – 7/11/20

Observer: Lonnie Friedman Observation Date: 7/11/20 Observation Time: 3:20 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Red Chanterelle Mushroom Scientific Name: Cantharellus cinnabarinus Comments: Red chanterelles are fungi native to eastern North America. They are members of the genus Cantharellus along with other chanterelles. They are named after their red color, which is imparted by the carotenoid canthaxanthin. They are edible, fruiting […]

Small Green Wood Orchid – 7/11/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/11/20 Observation Time: 3:10 p.m. Observation Location: somewhere in Sharon. Please do not dig up wildflowers! Common Name: Small Green Wood Orchid Scientific Name: Platanthera clavellata Comments: Platanthera is a large genus – about 200 species – in the large Orchidaceae (Orchid) Family. Over 30 of the Platanthera species are found in North America. Platanthera clavellata is protected in at least four states […]

Shinleaf – 7/9/20

Observer: Rita Corey and Larry Myatt Observation Date: 7/9/20 Observation Time: 9:18 a.m. Observation Location: Mountain Street, near entrance to Rattlesnake Hill Common Name: Shinleaf (a.k.a. White Wintergreen) Scientific Name: Pyrola elliptica Comments: Its common name, shinleaf, comes from the medicinal use of the plant, which produces a drug similar to aspirin. This drug has been reported to have analgesic properties and was used on bruised shins and other […]

Widow Underwing Moth – 7/7/20

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 7/7/20 Observation Time: 1:30 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill area Common Name: Widow Underwing moth Scientific Name: Catocala vidua Comments: The widow underwing (Catocala vidua) is a moth of the Erebidae family. It is found from southern Ontario, into Maine, New Hampshire and Connecticut, south at least to Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama, west to Texas and Oklahoma, and north to […]

Great Crested Flycatcher – 7/2/20

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 7/2/20 Observation Time: 3:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill area Common Name: Great crested flycatcher Scientific Name: Myiarchus crinitus Comments: The great-crested flycatcher has a pale yellow breast. The underside of its tail is reddish brown. More Information: All About Birds

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