Plant – Sharon Friends of Conservation

Primrose-leaf Violet – 10/2/24

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 10/2/24 Observation Time: 11:00 a.m. Observation Location: Rattlesnake Hill trail Common Name: Primrose-leaf Violet Scientific Name: Viola primulifolia Comments: When the plant’s seed capsule is fully ripe, it splits into three parts and ejects the seed with explosive force. More information: Picture This

Hairy Mountain Mint – 9/23/24

Observer: Jean Zaniewski Observation Date: 9/23/24 Observation Time: 12:15 p.m. Observation Location: Nstar high tension line property near Old Post Rd Common Name: Hairy Mountain Mint Scientific Name: Pycnanthemum verticillatum var. pilosum Comments: This plant grows to 3 feet tall 3 feet wide. I was attracted to this wildflower as I walked because it is taller, more robust; and a later, more prolific flower producer […]

Black-staining Polypore – 8/10/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/10/24 Observation Time: 3:20 p.m. Observation Location: beside Wolomolopoag St. Common Name: Black-staining Polypore Scientific Name: Meripilus sumstinei Comments: These two large fungi were growing by a large stump. One of them was beginning to turn black. More Information: Maryland Biodiversity

American Beech Tree (diseased) – 6/27/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/27/24 Observation Time: 6:30 p.m. Observation Location: Massapoag Brook trail between Ames St. and Mann’s Pond Common Name: American Beech Tree Scientific Name: Fagus grandifolia Comments: This beech tree is infected with Beech Leaf Disease (BLD). The disease kills and causes dieback of American beech trees. Since its discovery, BLD has been detected in 13 states, including Ohio, Connecticut, Delaware, […]

Carolina Allspice – 6/4/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/4/24 Observation Time: 9:05 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Carolina Allspice Scientific Name: Calycanthus floridus Comments: Also known as Carolina Sweetshrub, this plant deserves its name. The blossoms are fragrant and the leaves are aromatic when bruised. More Information: Wikipedia and North Carolina Native Plant Society

Norway Maple tree – 5/29/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/29/24 Observation Time: 12:20 p.m. Observation Location: High Street, Sharon Common Name: Norway Maple tree Scientific Name: Acer Platanoides Comments: The Norway maple is native to eastern and central Europe and western Asia, from France east to Russia, north to southern Scandinavia and southeast to northern Iran. It was brought to North America in the mid-1700s as a shade tree. It […]

Eastern Hemlock tree – 5/29/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/29/24 Observation Time: 12:15 p.m. Observation Location: High Street, Sharon Common Name: Eastern Hemlock tree Scientific Name: Tsuga canadensis Comments: Hemlocks are currently threatened by the hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae), a sap-sucking bug introduced from East Asia to the United States in 1924, and first found in the native range of eastern hemlock in the late 1960s. The adelgid has spread very […]

Black Raspberry – 5/29/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/29/24 Observation Time: 11:35 a.m. Observation Location: Sharon Historical Society, High Street, Sharon Common Name: Black Raspberry Scientific Name: Rubus occidentalis Comments: The black raspberry is related to the red raspberry Rubus idaeus and Rubus strigosus, sharing the white underside of leaves, and fruit that readily detaches from the carpel. Black raspberry grows in disturbed areas and in meadows, often near streams […]

Black Locust tree – 5/29/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/29/24 Observation Time: 11:00 a.m. Observation Location: High Street, Sharon Common Name: Black Locust tree Scientific Name: Robinia pseudocacia Comments: The blossoms of black locust trees are edible, but beware of the thorns. More Information: The Foraged Foodie

Mulberry tree – 5/29/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/29/24 Observation Time: 10:40 a.m. Observation Location: High Street, Sharon Common Name: Mulberry tree Scientific Name: Morus (family) Comments: Mulberry is a tree belonging to the Moraceae family (also including the fig, jackfruit, and other fruits). Generally, the genus has 64 subordinate taxa, three of which are well-known and are ostensibly named for the fruit color of the best-known cultivar: […]

Dogwood – 5/27/24

Observer: Deborah Gilden Observation Date: 5/27/24 Observation Time: late afternooon Observation Location: Deborah Sampson and Billings corner “In memory of John Lowden…” Common Name: Dogwood Scientific Name: Cornus (genus) Comments: Cornus is a genus of about 30–60 species of woody plants in the family Cornaceae, commonly known as dogwoods or cornels, which can generally be distinguished by their blossoms, berries, and distinctive bark. More Information: […]

Mouse-ear Chickweed – 5/7/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/7/24 Observation Time: 11:00 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Mouse-ear chickweed Scientific Name: Cerastium fontanum Comments: Mouse-ear chickweed is a herb. Herbs are broad-leaved, herbaceous (non-woody) plants. Herbaceous plants are also known as forbs or wildflowers. More Information: Kansas Native Plants

Pink Earth lichen – 5/6/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/6/24 Observation Time: 8:00 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Pink Earth lichen Scientific Name: Dibaeis baeomyces Comments: It’s been a rainy spring, which might stimulate these colorful lichens. More Information: Naturally curious with Mary Holland

Azure Bluets – 5/4/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/4/24 Observation Time: 11:40 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Azure Bluet Scientific Name: Houstonia caerulea Comments: Azure bluets are also know as Quaker ladies. More Information: Wikipedia

Lesser Periwinkle – 4/28/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/28/24 Observation Time: 11:00 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (The Trustees of Reservations) Common Name: Lesser Periwinkle Scientific Name: Vinca minor Comments: Also known as dwarf periwinkle and creeping myrtle, this non-native plant comes from Europe. It makes a good groundcover, and it produces lovely purple blossoms in spring and into summer, but once established it spreads and is hard […]

Early Meadow Rue – 4/28/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/28/24 Observation Time: 10:45 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Early Meadow Rue Scientific Name: Thalictrum dioicum Comments: Early meadow-rue is a graceful, 8-30 in. perennial with long-stalked leaves divided into many delicate, lobed segments. Petal-less flowers have yellow stamens that hang like small tassels. The female tassel-like blossoms are purple and appear on separate plants. This flower blooms […]

Wood Anemone – 4/27/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/27/23 Observation Time: 4:30 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Wood Anemone Scientific Name: Anemone quinquefolia Comments: Also called wood windflower, wood anemone is one of the earliest blooming flowers in the rich, moist forests of New England. Look for showy white flowers poking above the dissected leaves, only 3 inches (7 cm) tall. These offer food to […]

Garlic Mustard – 4/27/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/27/24 Observation Time: 4:30 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (The Trustees of Reservations) Common Name: Garlic mustard Scientific Name: Alliaria petiolata Comments: Garlic Mustard is a biennial. First year plants are a rosette of 3 to 4 round, scallop edged leaves. In second year the plant reaches height of 2 to 3 feet. Leaves on bolting stems are triangular […]

Common Blue Violet – 4/27/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/27/24 Observation Time: 4:10 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (The Trustees of Reservations) Common Name: Common Blue Violet Scientific Name: Viola sororia Comments: The blossoms of common blue violets come in colors ranging from white to purple. The two plants shown in the photos were growing a few feet from each other. More information: Wild Edible The pasture at Moose […]

Crome Sphagnum Moss – 4/26/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/26/24 Observation Time: 10:15 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary (boardwalk) Common Name: Crome Sphagnum Moss Scientific Name: Sphagnum squarrosum Comment: This is our largest Sphagnum and one you’re not likely to confuse with much else. It is widespread in Europe, from the high Arctic to the deciduous forest zone, and it’s also found in Northern Asia and […]

Shagbark Hickory Tree – 4/24/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/24/24 Observation Time: 7:15 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Shagbark Hickory Tree Scientific Name: Carya ovata Comments: Shagbark hickory trees can grow over 100 feet tall. Shagbark hickory nuts are edible and provided nutrition to Native Americans. More Information: Wikipedia

Narrow-leaved Spring Beauty – 4/23/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/23/24 Observation Time: 8:30 a.m. Observation Location: Sharon Common Name: Narrow-leaved Spring Beauty Scientific Name: Claytonia virginica Comments: Its scientific name honors Colonial Virginia botanist John Clayton (1694–1773). Spring Beauty is an endangered species in Massachusetts. Please do not dig up any wildflowers you may find in Sharon. Please leave them for everyone to enjoy! More Information: Massachusetts Natural Heritage and […]

Siberian Squill – 4/21/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/21/24 Observation Time: 8:15 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Siberian Squill Scientific Name: Scilla Siberica Comments: Siberian Squill was brought to this country as an ornamental and is still sold for that purpose, but it has also escaped into the wild and become invasive. It readily spreads itself and is difficult to get rid of, as broken […]

Ladies Tresses – 9/14/23

Observer: Marshall Katler Observation Date: 9/14/23 Observation Time: 8:30 a.m. Observation Location: old field at King Phillip’s Rock area Common Name: Ladies’ Tresses Scientific Name: Spiranthes cernua Comments: Typically found in fields, damp meadows, moist thickets, and grassy swamps, Ladies’ Tresses bloom in late summer and fall. Please do not dig up wildflowers. More Information: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Carolina Horsenettle – 8/11/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/11/23 Observation Time: 4:45 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Rd. (garden in my back yard) Common Name: Carolina Horsenettle Scientific Name: Solanum carolinense Comments: As the name implies, the natural range of this invasive, thorny weed is the mid-Atlantic states, but it is spreading north as the climate warms. More Information: Minnesota Wildflowers

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