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 […]
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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
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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: […]
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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: […]
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Observer: David Dearborn Observation Date: 5/7/24 Observation Time: 3:20 p.m. Observation Location: Mountain Street Common Name: May Apple Scientific Name: Podophyllum peltatum Comments: This big patch of May Apples has a mutually beneficial relationship with box turtles, which eat the fruit and spread the seeds. More Information: Butler Soil and Water Conservation District Box turtle beside the house that can be seen in the photo […]
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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
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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
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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
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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 […]
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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 […]
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Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/27/24 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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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
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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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Observer: Gaurav Shah Observation Date: 7/1/23 Observation Time: 4:00 p.m. Observation Location: trail off Billings St. Common Name: Crown-tipped Coral Fungus Scientific Name: Artomyces pyxidatus Comments: This is one of the few coral fungi found on decaying wood. The crown-like tips of the branches are unlike those of any of the other coral fungi. Seek (the free cell phone app) readily identified it. More Information: […]
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Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/28/23 Observation Time: 11:45 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (under high tension wires) Common Name: Golden Ragwort Scientific Name: Senecio aureus (also known as Packera aurea) Comments: Golden Ragwort is a biannual plant with yellow-orange flowers. It grows to a height of 2 feet and belongs to Asteraceae family (i.e. asters). More Information: Grow Native
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Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/28/23 Observation Time: 9:40 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Smooth Brome grass Scientific Name: Bromus inermis Comments: Smooth brome is a Eurasian species of grass introduced to North America, where it has been used extensively for habitat rehabilitation and as a forage plant. More Information: Go Botany
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Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/28/23 Observation Time: 9:35 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Orchard Grass Scientific Name: Dactylis glomerata Comments: Native to Europe, orchard grass has been introduced nearly worldwide. It came to North America in the 1700s, and is frequently planted as a forage grass. More Information: Go Botany
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Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/28/23 Observation Time: 9:30 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Smooth Meadow-grass Scientific Name: Poa pratensis Comments: Smooth meadow-grass is valued as a pasture and turf grass, particularly in golf courses, but is considered an invasive weed in natural grassland ecosystems, where it outcompetes native species, reduces biodiversity and alters nitrogen cycling and ecosystem function. More Information: […]
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Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/28/23 Observation Time: 9:10 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Rust Fungus Scientific Name: genus Pucciniaceae Comments: Rust fungus is a plant disease. This rust fungus was growing on buckthorn leaves. More Information: Wikipedia
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