Plant – Page 3 – Sharon Friends of Conservation

Red Chokeberry – 5/9/23

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 […]

Common Blue Violet – 5/7/23

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

Carolina Silverbell tree – 5/6/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/6/23 Observation Time: 10:15 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Carolina Silverbell tree Scientific Name: Halesia carolina Comments: Carolina silverbell is a vigorous, fast-growing deciduous shrub or tree growing to 8 m (26 ft) tall by 10 m (33 ft) broad, bearing masses of pendent, bell-shaped white flowers which appear in spring. The flowers are followed by green, four-winged fruit. The leaves […]

Sand violet – 4/28/23

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 […]

Azure Bluet – 4/27/23

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

Wild Strawberry – 4/27/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/27/23 Observation Time: 3:30 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) along dirt road under high tension wires Common Name: Wild strawberry Scientific Name: Fragaria virginiana Comments: Found in patches in fields and dry openings, this plant produces tasty strawberries. More Information: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Wood Anemone – 4/27/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/27/23 Observation Time: 3:20 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) along dirt road under high tension wires 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 […]

Beard lichen – 4/25/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/25/23 Observation Time: 1:27 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Rd. (my back yard) Common Name: Beard lichen Scientific Name: Usnea strigosa Comments: Also called bushy beard, this epiphytic (i.e. growing on trees) lichen is a composite organism that emerges from algae or cyanobacteria living among the filaments of the fungi in a symbiotic (mutually beneficial) relationship. The fungi benefit from the […]

Virginia saxifrage – 4/25/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/25/23 Observation Time: 8:15 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary (bluff overlook) Common Name: Virginia saxifrage Scientific Name: Micranthes virginiensis Comments: The characteristic features of saxifrage are consistent with its alpine provenance and consequent tenacity. A rosette of basal toothed leaves huddle on a rocky substrate to hold fast in the boreal winds that prevail in typical mountain habitats. […]

Narrow-leaved Spring Beauty – 4/13/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/13/23 Observation Time: 9:00 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 […]

Red Trillium – 4/27/22

Observer: Susan Drisko Observation Date: 4/27/2022 Observation Time: 3:25 p.m. Observation Location: Town-owned conservation land near Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Red Trillium Scientific Name: Trillium erectum Comments: Native to eastern North America, the red trillium (Trillium erectum) is found on forest floors. Its components surface in groups of three as pointed triple leaves, giving way to three-petalled flowers. Red trillium is mildly toxic to […]

Green False Hellebore – 4/27/22

Observer: Susan Drisko Observation Date: 4/27/2022 Observation Time: 3:35 p.m. Observation Location: Town-owned conservation land near Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Green False Hellebore Scientific Name: Veratrum viride Comments: Green false hellebore, or giant false-helleborine, is native to eastern and western (but not central) North America. It is extremely toxic, and is considered a pest plant by farmers with livestock. The species has acquired a large number […]

Marsh Marigold – 4/27/2022

Observer: Susan Drisko Observation Date: 4/27/2022 Observation Time: 1:45 p.m. Observation Location: headwaters of Beaver Brook Common Name: Marsh Marigold Scientific Name: Caltha palustris Comments: Caltha palustris, known as marsh-marigold and kingcup, is a small to medium size perennialherbaceousplant of the buttercup family, native to marshes, fens, ditches and wet woodlands in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It typically flowers between April and August. More […]

Bear’s Head Tooth Fungus – 10/6/21

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 10/6/21 Observation Time: 3:00 p.m. Observation Location: Near the footbridge over Beaver Brook near the outbound train station Common Name: Bear’s Head Tooth Fungus (a.k.a. Lion’s Mane or Comb Tooth) Scientific Name: Hericium americanum Comments: While driving very slowly along the dirt road from the outbound train station parking lot to the footbridge over Beaver Brook, I almost drove past this […]

Tall Meadow Rue – 6/24/21

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/24/21 Observation Time: 3:55 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Tall Meadow Rue Scientific Name: Thalictrum pubescens Comments: Meadow rue flowers have no petals; the conspicuous part of the flower is the white filaments of the stamens. More Information: Connecticut Botanical Society

Amur Cork Tree – 6/24/21

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/24/21 Observation Time: 3:40 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Amur Cork Tree Scientific Name: Phellodendron amurense Comments: Phellodendron amurense is a perennial tree that can grow from 35-45 ft. (10-14 m) tall. The tree has a short trunk with spreading branches. The bark is thick and corky. This tree is demonstrating invasive characteristics in suburban and urban fringe forests. It escapes […]

Black Raspberry – 6/24/21

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/24/21 Observation Time: 3:10 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) 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 and lakes, trails or […]

Ringless Honey Mushroom – 9/17/20

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 9/17/20 Observation Time: 3:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill area Common Name: Ringless Honey Mushroom Scientific Name: Armillaria tabescens Comments: These ringless mushrooms extended almost all the way around the tree. WARNING: This is NOT a beginner’s mushroom. Never eat any wild plant unless you are 100% sure that you have identified an edible species. More Information: The Foraged Foodie

parasol Mushroom – 9/9/20

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 9/9/20 Observation Time: 11:00 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill area Common Name: Parasol mushroom Scientific Name: Macrolepiota procera Comments: iNaturalist says this is a parasol mushroom. I thought they had rounded caps, but I do see some flat tops when googling. This was large – maybe 5″ to 6″ in diameter. Very pretty. More Information: Mushroom-Collecting.com

Brittle Gill Mushroom – 9/7/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/7/20 Observation Time: 5:45 p.m. Observation Location: conservation land near Lakeview & Morse Common Name: Brittle Gill Mushroom Scientific Name: Russula pulchra Comments: Wikipedia lists an enormous number of Russula species, so I am not certain of this identification. More Information: Mushroom Expert

Chicken of the Woods – 9/7/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/7/20 Observation Time: 5:40 p.m. Observation Location: conservation land near Lakeview & Morse Common Name: Chicken of the Woods Scientific Name: Laetiporus sulphureus Comments: These relatively small specimens were growing on a dead oak tree. Chicken of the Woods can grow to very large size. They are edible, but it is wise to refrain from eating any wild-harvested food unless […]

Wild Grapes – 9/7/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/7/20 Observation Time: 5:30 p.m. Observation Location: Conservation land at Morse & Lakeview Common Name: Wild Grapes Scientific Name: Vitis spp. Comments: Wild grapevines are native to eastern North America. I smelled these wild grapes before I saw the grapevine laden with purple fruit climbing a tree beside the trail. Be careful not to confuse wild grapes, which are edible, with Canadian Moon Seeds, which are […]

Late Purple Aster – 9/4/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/4/20 Observation Time: 2:30 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Late Purple Aster Scientific Name: Symphyotrichum patens Comments: Late purple aster looks similar to smooth aster — they both have purple rays and clasping leaves. Distinguish them by their stems — late purple aster has a rough, hairy stem; smooth aster has a smooth stem with a […]

Slender Bush-Clover – 9/4/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/4/20 Observation Time: 2:10 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Slender Bush-Clover Scientific Name: Lespedeza virginica Comments: Slender bush-clover is a member of the pea family. Like other bush-clovers, slender bush-clover is preferentially browsed by mammalian herbivores such as deer and rabbits, as well as quail and other ground birds. Slender bush-clover is often found in man-made or […]

False Hop Sedge – 9/4/20

Observer: Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program employees Observation Date: 9/4/20 Observation Time: 2:00 p.m. Observation Location: undisclosed location in Sharon Common Name: False Hop Sedge Scientific Name: Carex lupuliformis Comments: False Hop Sedge is an endangered species in Massachusetts. The NHESP observers said they saw only a few plants. As of 9/4/20, this species does not appear on the list of rare species that have been […]

« 1 2 3 4 5 … 14 »