Category: Plant

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/23/23 Observation Time: 8:25 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Siberian Iris Scientific Name: Iris siberica Comments: These gaudy flowers are non-native. They are typically purple, but they come in a range of colors including white. More Information: Wikipedia

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/17/23 Observation Time: 7:10 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary 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: 5/16/23 Observation Time: 4:15 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary (Bluff Trail) Common Name: Blue Toadflax Scientific Name: Nuttallanthus canadensis Comments: These diminutive wildflowers bloom from April to September. At first glance they look like nondescript spindly weeds, but viewed up close they are stunningly beautiful. More Information: Conn. Botanical Society

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/16/23 Observation Time: 3:40 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Common Buttercup Scientific Name: Ranunculus acris Comments: The Common Buttercup (Ranunculus acris); also called Tall Buttercup, Meadow Buttercup and Blister Plant; is a perennial forb/herb in the Ranunculaceae family. The family and genus names come from the Latin for “little frog” because this family prefers wet areas. […]

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/16/23 Observation Time: 3:30 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary (boardwalk) Common Name: Marsh Blue Violet Scientific Name: Viola cucullata Comments: The violets of North America come in two general forms, the stemmed violets and the stemless violets. Stemmed violets produce leaves and flowers on upright stems. Stemless violets produce leaves and flowers from and underground vertical or […]

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/13/23 Observation Time: 11:20 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Jack-in-the-pulpit Scientific Name: Arisaema triphyllum Comments: Jack-in-the-pulpits grow in largely deciduous forests with plenty of shade. They prefer rich, moist soil and can often be found near wetlands and vernal pools. In the late summer, after the plant’s flower has been pollinated, it produces a large clump of […]

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/13/23 Observation Time: 8:00 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Starflower Scientific Name: Lysimachia borealis Comments: Formerly known as Trientalis borealis, it has been shuffled around to new species name Lysimachia borealis (same genus as the yellow Loosestrifes) and moved to the Myrsinaceae (Myrsine) family. This member of the primrose family likes moist woods. It blooms in […]

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/11/23 Observation Time: 9:50 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary 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 12 inches tall, bearing […]

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/9/23 Observation Time: 8:25 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Lily of the Valley Scientific Name: Convallaria majalis Comments: Lily of the Valley is highly poisonous if consumed by humans or other animals. Please do not dig up any wildflowers you may find in Sharon. Please leave them for everyone to enjoy! More Information: Wikipedia

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/9/23 Observation Time: 8:15 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 […]

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/9/23 Observation Time: 7:30 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary (in wetland) Common Name: Red Chokeberry Scientific Name: Aronia arbutifolia Comments: In eastern North America, two well-known chokeberry species are named after their fruit color, red chokeberry and black chokeberry, plus a purple chokeberry whose origin is a natural hybrid of the two. and Florida Wildflower Foundation More […]

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/7/23 Observation Time: 6:25 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Common Blue Violet Scientific Name: Viola sororia Comments: These were growing along the driveway leading into the parking lot. Please do not dig up wildflowers. More information: The Botanical Hiker

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/28/23 Observation Time: 11:00 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Sand Violet (also known as Hookedspur Violet) Scientific Name: Viola adunca Comments: Sand violet grows where the soil has been disrupted and exposed. I saw this one in an eroded area beside a sloping trail. Sand violet is listed as a species of special concern in […]

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/27/23 Observation Time: 3:45 p.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