Category: Flowers

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/14/09 Observation Time: 11:30 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm, Trustees of Reservations land Common Name: Bull Thistle Scientific Name: Cirsium vulgare More Information: UGA Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health  

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/14/11 Observation Time: 3:20 p.m. Observation Location: meadow near Gavins Pond dam Common Name: Blueberry Scientific Name: Vaccinium corymbosum Comments: Blueberries grow wild in the woods around Sharon, often near ponds and streams, where their roots can access moisture during dry weather. They flower in May and ripen in mid-summer. More Information: Mother Earth News

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/23/09 Observation Time: 9:30 a.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Black-eyed Susans Scientific Name: Rudbeckia hirta Comments: The genus name honors Olaus Rudbeck, who was a professor of botany at the University of Uppsala in Sweden and was one of Linnaeus’s teachers. The specific epithet “hirta” refers to the trichomes (hairs) occurring on leaves and stems. More Information: USDA  

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/5/13 Observation Time: 6:15 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond area Common Name: Black-eyed Susans Scientific Name: Rudbeckia hirta Comments: A type of daisy, these were growing wild in the field near Gavins Pond Dam. More Information: USDA

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/6/14 Observation Time: 12:45 p.m. Observation Location: near Gavins Pond Common Name: Deptford Pink Scientific Name: Dianthus armeria Comments:The Deptford pink is a European species, introduced and widespread in North America. Its name refers to the English town near London in which this species was formerly common. More Information: Go Botany

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/29/14 Observation Time: 12:20 p.m. Observation Location: Borderland State Park Common Name: Yellow Star Grass Scientific Name: Hypoxis hirsuta Comments: Yellow star-grass is the only native wildflower with a six-petaled yellow blossom. More Information: U.S. Wildflowers

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/14/14 Observation Time: 10:50 a.m. Observation Location: Sharon Common Name: Narrow-leaved spring beauty Scientific Name: Claytonia virginica L. Comments: This rare wildflower is only found in nine towns in Massachusetts. Please do not dig up wildflowers! More Information: Mass. Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/22/13 Observation Time: 3:15 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road near soccer fields Common Name: Jerusalem Artichoke Scientific Name: Helianthus tuberosus Comments: Before the arrival of Europeans, Native Americans cultivated H. tuberosus as a food source. The tubers persist for years after being planted, so that the species expanded its range from central North America to the eastern and western regions. Early […]

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/22/13 Observation Time: 2:10 p.m. Observation Location: King Phillip’s Rock area Common Name: Ladies’ Tresses Orchid Scientific Name: Spiranthes cernua Comments: These wild white orchids grow on a spiral stalk (hence the name Spiranthes). More Information: Go Orchids or Nature Northeast

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/9/13 Observation Time: 2:15 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond area Common Name: Wild Iris Scientific Name: Iris virginica shrevei Comments: These gorgeous flowers bloom in spring around Sharon. These are also known as Harlequin Blueflag and Northern Blue Flag. Look for them in swamps, marshes, and wet shorelines from Virginia to Canada. Watch honeybees and native bees land on the large petal, […]

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/20/11 Observation Time: 3:25 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Common Name: Rough-fruited cinquefoil Scientific Name: Potentilla recta Comments: Native to Europe and Asia. Introduced and naturalized in North America. Found along roads and in disturbed sites. Thrives in full sun and tolerates dry conditions. Flowers from June to August. More Information: MinnesotaSeasons.com

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/6/11 Observation Time: 2:20 p.m. Observation Location: field near Gavins Pond Dam Common Name: Wild Indigo Scientific Name: Baptisia australis Comments: It is a perennial  upright bushy plant with attractive foliage. Blossoms in mid-summer are bright yellow. Seed heads turn a deep indigo color providing winter interest. More Information: Wikipedia

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/5/11 Observation Time: 3:20 p.m. Observation Location: Kendall Estate, Moose Hill Street Common Name: Wild geranium Scientific Name: Geranium maculatum Comments: Geranium maculatum, the wild geranium, spotted geranium, or wood geranium, is a perennial plant native to woodlands of eastern North America, from southern Manitoba and southwestern Quebec south to Alabama and Georgia and west to Oklahoma and South Dakota. More […]

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/4/11 Observation Time: 3:00 p.m. Observation Location: conservation land near Billings Street Common Name: Maple-leaf Viburnum Scientific Name: Viburnum acerifolium Comments: Maple-leaf viburnum has long been cultivated for its attractive summer flowers and foliage; then the autumn leaves turn rose-purple and contrast with the mature dark fruits. The plants will thrive in moist soils and a range of light conditions but they are a […]

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/4/11 Observation Time: 2:40 p.m. Observation Location: Conservation land near Billings Street Common Name: Canada Mayflower Scientific Name: Maianthemum canadense Comments: Carpets the ground in many wooded areas of Sharon. More Information: Wikipedia

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/4/11 Observation Time: 2:20 p.m. Observation Location: conservation land near Billings Street Common Name: Golden Ragwort Scientific Name: Senecio aureus Comments: Golden Ragwort is a biannual plant with a yellow flower that grows upto a height of 2 feet and belongs to Asteraceae family (i.e. asters). More Information: HealthBenefitsTimes.com or Illinois Wildflowers

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/2/11 Observation Time: 1:05 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road near soccer field parking lot Common Name: Star of Bethlehem Scientific Name: Ornithogalum umbellatum Comments: The Star of Bethlehem is a genus (Ornithogalum) of perennial plants native to southern Europe belonging to the family Hyacinthaceae. Growing from a bulb, it has grass-like basal leaves and a slender stalk, up to 30 cm tall, bearing […]

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/31/11 Observation Time: 4:05 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond area Common Name: Blue Toadflax Scientific Name: Nuttallanthus canadensis More Information: Conn. Botanical Society  

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/31/11 Observation Time: 3:15 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond area Common Name: Blue Flag Iris Scientific Name: Iris versicolor More Information: Wikipedia

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/14/11 Observation Time: 2:05 p.m. Observation Location: Town conservation land near Beaver Brook Common Name: Starflower Scientific Name: Trientalis borealis Comments: This member of the primrose family likes moist woods. It blooms in May. Please do not dig up native wildflowers. They typically do not survive transplantation. More Information: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/12/11 Observation Time: 8:35 a.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road near soccer field parking lot Common Name: Wild mustard Scientific Name: Barbarea vulgaris Aiton Comments: Also called yellow rocket, or early winter cress, introduced from Eurasia. More Information: Wikipedia